Some Pixel users hit a Bluetooth bump after December update

The December update for Pixel devices was supposed to be a holiday gift, delivering new features, improvements and bug fixes, including a much-needed resolution for Bluetooth range issues on the Pixel 9 series. Instead, for some users, it’s turned out to be more of a festive flop, introducing a host of new Bluetooth headaches across various devices. From car connections to codec settings, it seems the Grinch came early for Pixel owners this year.

Since the rollout of the December 2024 update, Pixel users have flooded online forums and communities with complaints about Bluetooth woes. Reports span a wide spectrum: some can no longer connect to their car’s audio systems for music or navigation, while others lament the disappearance of codec settings that once let them toggle options like LDAC, AptX, or AAC for their headphones. The issues appear to impact a broad range of devices, from the Pixel 6 to the latest Pixel 9 Pro XL.

For commuters, the most frustrating issue is with car Bluetooth connections. Users report that their phones now connect only partially to their vehicles, handling calls just fine but refusing to play audio. A few have managed to find temporary workarounds, such as toggling the “media audio” option off and on every time they connect, but this is hardly the seamless experience Google’s Pixel devices promise.

For some, re-pairing the device or resetting Android Auto has provided relief, but others have found that even these measures fall short. Car models ranging from Mazdas to Mitsubishis and Hyundais have all been caught in the crossfire, leading to a chorus of frustrated drivers longing for their podcasts and playlists.

It’s not just cars — headphones and other Bluetooth devices haven’t been spared. Some users say that their headphones now disconnect when the phone locks or that audio quality has taken a nosedive. High-definition audio settings, once easily accessible, have vanished, leaving some wondering if their devices are even using the right codec anymore. This has left audiophiles scrambling for alternative apps to monitor and manage their connections.

Adding to the chaos are lingering Android Auto issues that seem to coincide with the December update. Some users have reported that USB connections — often seen as a reliable fallback for Bluetooth troubles — aren’t working properly either. Navigation audio cuts out or fails to play altogether, even when the phone indicates that it’s connected.

For now, fixes are as scattered as the issues themselves. A handful of users have had luck clearing Android Auto data and re-installing the app, while others have found relief by toggling settings or restarting their phones. However, most are left hoping that Google’s January patch will deliver a comprehensive solution.

Workaround: EVERYTIME you connect to your vehicle, you need to go into the bluetooth menu on your phone, find the cars bluetooth connection and click the gear. Then toggle the “media audio” off, then back on. Wait a second and it connects.

This isn’t the first time a Pixel update has caused unintended consequences. While regular updates are one of the selling points of Google’s flagship devices, they’ve occasionally introduced bugs that frustrate users until the next patch rolls around. Still, the breadth of these Bluetooth issues is unusual, affecting everything from car systems to high-end headphones and even shower speakers.

If you’re experiencing these issues, your best bet is to try resetting connections, toggling settings, or rolling back to an earlier software version if possible. And, of course, cross your fingers for a swift fix in the January update coming out next week.