Google has officially acknowledged hardware defects in some Pixel 9 Pro models and is rolling out a global “Extended Repair Program” that gives affected owners up to three years of free screen repairs. At the same time, the company has launched a separate extended warranty and replacement program for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. [1]
The move follows months of user reports about mysterious vertical lines and flickering on the Pixel 9 Pro series, and arrives as outlets like 9to5Google, Droid-Life, The Verge, and Tech Buzz all detail how the new programs work. [2]
Below is everything you need to know today, December 11, 2025.
Pixel 9 Pro Extended Repair Program at a Glance
- Devices covered: Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Issues covered:
- A single vertical line running from the bottom to the top of the display
- Persistent display flicker (only on the standard Pixel 9 Pro) [3]
- Cost: Free screen repair if the device passes inspection
- Coverage period: Up to 3 years from the original retail purchase date [4]
- Where to get service: Google walk‑in repair centers, authorized partners, and online/mail‑in repair options [5]
- Not covered: Cracked glass, obvious physical damage, or liquid intrusion
For the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, there’s a similar three‑year program — but instead of just swapping the display, Google is offering full device replacements when the device shows certain “functionality” issues. [6]
What Google Just Announced
On December 8, 2025, Google quietly published two new support pages:
- “Pixel 9 Pro & Pixel 9 Pro XL Extended Repair Program”
- “Pixel 9 Pro Fold Extended Warranty Program” [7]
Both pages say Google has found that “a limited number” of units can develop faults that affect how the device functions. For the bar‑style phones, those faults are now explicitly tied to display defects, while the Fold program vaguely mentions functional issues but heavily hints at display-related problems via an FAQ about past screen-repair costs. [8]
Tech Buzz notes that Google’s updated statement this morning — the article was edited on December 11 at 8:20 AM UTC — amounts to the clearest admission so far that its 2024 flagship shipped with real hardware flaws, not just isolated glitches. [9]
Which Pixel Devices Are Covered?
1. Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL
These two models fall under the Extended Repair Program. Google says: [10]
- Only a “limited number” of units are affected
- Coverage lasts three years from the original retail purchase date
- The repair is specifically a free display replacement, once a repair center confirms the issue
That means if your phone is about a year old now, you effectively get up to two more years of safety net for these specific screen faults.
2. Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The foldable gets its own Extended Warranty Program, also running three years from the original retail purchase date. [11]
Key differences from the bar phones:
- Google talks about issues that affect the “functionality of the device” rather than naming a specific fault
- If your Fold is eligible, you may receive a full device replacement at no charge, not just a panel swap [12]
- Customers are limited to one replacement per device [13]
News outlets and community reports strongly suspect the Fold program is also driven by display problems, especially since Google’s FAQ calls out people who already paid for a Fold screen replacement before December 8. [14]
What Problems Does the Pixel 9 Pro Repair Program Cover?
Based on Google’s own wording and multiple reports, these are the only display defects that qualify your Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL for the free program: [15]
- Vertical Line Issue
- A bright or dark line that:
- Runs all the way from the bottom edge to the top edge of the screen
- Stays visible across apps and reboots
- A bright or dark line that:
- Flickering Screen (Pixel 9 Pro only)
- Noticeable flicker that isn’t tied to adaptive brightness or a single app
- Often more visible on mid‑tone backgrounds or at certain brightness levels
Reports of these issues have been circulating on Reddit and other forums for months, with many users describing the line appearing suddenly — sometimes weeks after purchase — and then refusing to go away. [16]
For the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google never names a specific fault, but The Verge, 9to5Google, and others point out that the timing, the three‑year window, and the FAQ about previous screen replacements all point toward screen or hinge‑adjacent defects, rather than a random grab‑bag of unrelated bugs. [17]
Who Is Not Eligible? (The Fine Print)
This is where a lot of Pixel owners will need to read carefully.
Across both programs, Google says that certain damage types disqualify your phone from free coverage, including: [18]
- Cracked or shattered displays
- Damaged cover glass
- Signs of liquid intrusion or water damage
If your phone fails these checks:
- Google may still repair it, but you’ll pay out of pocket under normal warranty or out‑of‑warranty pricing
- The extended program doesn’t expand coverage to other hardware issues; it only adds this special protection for the defined defects
Tom’s Guide and Android Headlines both stress that because the program is tied to the original purchase date, second‑hand buyers might find it harder to prove eligibility or to get free service, even if the hardware fault is present. [19]
When and Where Can You Get Help?
According to the support pages and regional coverage: [20]
- Repairs and replacements started on December 8, 2025
- You can:
- Visit a Google Store or official walk‑in repair center
- Use authorized third‑party service partners listed on Google’s support site (including specific options in countries like Taiwan, Malaysia, and Mexico)
- Start a mail‑in or online repair request via Google’s repair portal
Before any repair or replacement, the facility will inspect the phone to confirm it meets the program’s conditions. Only then is the screen replacement (or foldable replacement) performed for free. [21]
Any repair or replacement done under these special programs gets an additional 90‑day warranty on the work or device, subject to local consumer laws. [22]
How to Check if Your Pixel 9 Pro or Fold Is Eligible
Google doesn’t list IMEI ranges or serial batches, so you’ll need to go through its official channels. Here’s the process, based on Google’s instructions and media coverage: [23]
- Confirm your model
- On your phone, go to Settings → About phone → Model
- Make sure it says Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Check your symptoms
- For 9 Pro / 9 Pro XL:
- Look for a single vertical line running from bottom to top, or
- Persistent screen flickering on a Pixel 9 Pro
- For 9 Pro Fold:
- Check for serious functional issues (especially around the display or hinge) that aren’t obviously caused by drops or water
- For 9 Pro / 9 Pro XL:
- Visit Google’s repair / support portal
- Use Google’s repair page or the dedicated Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL Extended Repair Program and Pixel 9 Pro Fold Extended Warranty Program support articles
- Start a repair or replacement request and follow the steps for your region
- Prepare for service
- Back up your data (Settings → System → Backup → “Back up now”)
- Enable Repair Mode (on supported Pixels) so service centers can test your phone without accessing personal data [24]
- Take clear photos or a short video of your phone’s condition (front, back, sides, and the display problem) before shipping or handing it over — a tip Droid‑Life also recommends to avoid disputes over damage. [25]
What If You Already Paid for a Pixel 9 Pro Screen Repair?
Both Google’s support pages and several reports mention a path for people who already paid to fix these issues: [26]
- If your Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL or Pixel 9 Pro Fold was repaired by an authorized service center before December 8, 2025,
- And your device still falls within the new programs’ criteria,
- Google says that eligible customers will be notified by email.
So far, Google hasn’t published a public reimbursement form, but The Verge, 9to5Google, and Tech Buzz all highlight this line as a hint that Google may offer retroactive coverage or partial refunds for qualifying repairs that happened before the programs went live. [27]
Why This Matters for Pixel Owners (and for Google)
For Pixel fans, the immediate benefit is simple:
- Three years of free screen repairs for certain Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL defects
- Three years of coverage and potential free replacements for problematic Pixel 9 Pro Fold units
But there’s a bigger story here too. Tech Buzz and other outlets frame this as an unusually proactive move from Google, which has historically been slow to formally acknowledge hardware problems (think Pixel 2 XL burn‑in, earlier battery and charging issues, and past extended repair programs for Pixel 5a, 7a, and 8). [28]
At the same time, Tom’s Guide and Android Central note that this Pixel 9 Pro fix is arriving just as some Pixel 10 owners report new display bugs after the December update — reinforcing the perception that Google still has work to do on long‑term hardware reliability. [29]
If Google follows through smoothly — honoring claims, handling cross‑border repairs, and treating second‑hand owners fairly — the company could turn an embarrassing defect into a rare trust‑building moment with its most loyal customers.
Quick FAQ for Pixel 9 Pro Owners
Does this program cover every Pixel 9 Pro or 9 Pro XL with a broken screen?
No. It only covers specific vertical line and screen‑flicker issues that aren’t caused by physical or liquid damage. Cracks and obvious impact damage can disqualify you from free repairs. [30]
How long do I have to make a claim?
You have up to three years from the date the phone was first purchased new. If you bought a used device, the clock still starts from that original retail date. [31]
Is the Fold really getting full replacements?
Yes — if your Pixel 9 Pro Fold qualifies under the program, Google’s support page explicitly describes it as a replacement program, not just a repair, with one free replacement per device. [32]
Will my repaired or replaced phone be covered again?
Repairs and replacements under these programs get a 90‑day warranty on the work or on the replacement device (on top of any rights you have under local consumer law). [33]
Where should I start?
The safest route is to begin with Google’s official support pages for:
Pixel 9 Pro & Pixel 9 Pro XL Extended Repair ProgramPixel 9 Pro Fold Extended Warranty Program
and then use the linked repair / support portal to see your options in your country. [34]
References
1. support.google.com, 2. 9to5google.com, 3. support.google.com, 4. support.google.com, 5. support.google.com, 6. support.google.com, 7. support.google.com, 8. support.google.com, 9. www.techbuzz.ai, 10. support.google.com, 11. support.google.com, 12. support.google.com, 13. support.google.com, 14. support.google.com, 15. support.google.com, 16. www.techbuzz.ai, 17. www.theverge.com, 18. support.google.com, 19. www.tomsguide.com, 20. support.google.com, 21. support.google.com, 22. support.google.com, 23. support.google.com, 24. support.google.com, 25. www.droid-life.com, 26. support.google.com, 27. www.theverge.com, 28. www.techbuzz.ai, 29. www.tomsguide.com, 30. support.google.com, 31. support.google.com, 32. support.google.com, 33. support.google.com, 34. support.google.com
