Bluetooth connectivity issues on Pixel 8 and how to fix them

Many Google Pixel 8 users haven’t had a pleasant experience with the Bluetooth feature on their devices. During my research into the problem, I found several dozen threads and posts about Bluetooth related issues on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. If you’ve been experiencing Bluetooth woes with your new Pixel 8, you’re not alone – and there are several potential solutions worth trying.

Based on user reports across forums like Reddit and Google’s own support pages, the Bluetooth issues affecting the Pixel 8 seem to fall into a few main categories:

Inability to connect or pair with car audio/infotainment system:

This appears to be one of the most widespread Bluetooth problems. Users report that their Pixel 8 will not show up as an available device to connect to their car’s Bluetooth system, or if it does connect initially, the audio cuts out intermittently or the connection drops completely. There were also reports about Pixel 8 users unable to hear audio when connected to Android Auto. Luckily, while I still see some reports about connectivity issues in vehicles, there’s a drop in the frequency of such reports. This suggests that Google might have worked its magic through software updates to improve Bluetooth connectivity in cars.

Choppy audio when streaming over Bluetooth:

Whether connecting to car speakers, wireless headphones, or a Bluetooth speaker, some Pixel 8 owners have complained about stuttering, skipping, or generally poor audio quality over a Bluetooth connection. Luckily, some users claim that they were able to fix the problem without having to wait for Google to release any patch. So if you’re one of the few who’s dealing with choppy audio over Bluetooth, then check out the potential workarounds listed below.

Unable to discover devices:

While trying to figure out what Bluetooth problems exactly are Pixel 8 users dealing with, I noticed a few posts about users not being able to discover Bluetooth devices. Some users claim that they turn on Bluetooth on their devices, but nothing shows up. Others say that only certain Bluetooth devices do not get picked up by the Pixel 8. That said, given the number of reports, it seems like this isn’t a widespread problem.

As a Pixel 8 user myself, I feel like I’m lucky not to experience anything of sorts. The only time I faced a Bluetooth related issue is when I was trying to pair my Realme Buds Air 5 Pro with the Pixel 8. It took me multiple attempts to link them up. However, since then I haven’t noticed any Bluetooth connection drops, stuttering, or any other issues.

At this point, Google has not provided an official explanation for the Bluetooth problems plaguing some Pixel 8 units. However, there are a few likely culprits that could be contributing factors:

Hardware issues:

While relatively rare, it’s possible that some Pixel 8 devices shipped with faulty or poorly implemented Bluetooth hardware components that are causing interference or connectivity problems.

Software bugs:

More likely is that there are bugs or compatibility issues within the Bluetooth software stack of the Pixel 8’s Android 14 operating system. Certain software configurations could be clashing with car infotainment systems or other Bluetooth devices.

Codec incompatibilities:

The Pixel 8 uses Bluetooth 5.3 with support for higher quality audio codecs like LDAC and aptX Adaptive. While allowing for superior audio fidelity, potential incompatibilities between these newer codecs and older car audio systems or headphone codecs could be leading to connectivity drops or poor audio performance.

Some in-vehicle infotainment systems may struggle with the more advanced codec negotiation or data transfer protocols utilized by the latest Bluetooth specifications found in the Pixel 8. This codec mismatch could manifest as stuttering, static, or abruptly dropped audio connections.

Until Google provides more clarity, these hardware, software, and codec compatibility considerations remain the most plausible culprits behind the Bluetooth woes. A combination of several factors likely contributes to the varying severity of issues seen across individual Pixel 8 devices and use cases.

So, what can you do if the Bluetooth on your Pixel 8 is misbehaving? Here are some troubleshooting tips that have helped other users:

Update to the latest Android version:

Google has released a couple of software updates for Pixel 8 since launch. Make sure you’ve installed the latest patches, as they may contain critical Bluetooth bug fixes.

Clear Bluetooth cache:

Open Settings > Apps > See all apps > Show system apps > Bluetooth Legacy. Select Cache, then tap “Clear Cache”. This will flush out any corrupted data that could be causing issues.

Remove and re-pair devices:

Unpair, then re-pair any problematic Bluetooth devices like your car audio or headphones. Sometimes the connection gets bogged down and needs a fresh start.

Reset Bluetooth settings:

Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Bluetooth and Wi-Fi > Tap on Reset. This should help eliminate any problems that may have resulted by tweaks that you may have unknowingly made. Just note that this will also reset your Wi-Fi data. So you might have to spend some time pairing your Bluetooth devices and connecting back to the internet.

Keep Bluetooth audio codec at default:

When connecting audio devices, leave the codec option on the default “Audio Quality” rather than trying to force higher codecs like LDAC or AptX.

Disable Bluetooth battery optimization:

Some users found going to Settings > Battery > Battery optimization and disabling Bluetooth optimization allowed the connection to remain more stable.

Roll back to previous build:

As a last resort, you can temporarily downgrade to the previous Android version in hopes the Bluetooth stack was more stable before updating. Of course, this involves a bit of technical know-how. However, if you want to go ahead, I’d suggest following this detailed guide.

I also found an interesting video that might help you with your Bluetooth problems. Just a heads-up, you might have to enable subtitles for better clarity:

If none of the troubleshooting tips help you fix the Bluetooth connectivity issues on your Pixel 8, then you should get in touch with Google’s support team. Alternatively, you can also visit an authorized service center for assistance. Just make sure to back up your device before giving it in to avoid any data loss.

While frustrating, Bluetooth connectivity issues tend to get resolved over time through software patches from the manufacturer. Google is likely already working on improvements, so sticking with the troubleshooting tips above may be enough to get you by until proper fixes roll out.

For Pixel 8 owners who primarily want to use Bluetooth for in-car audio, the struggles have been especially maddening. Many modern vehicles rely on a flawless Bluetooth implementation, so dropped connections or choppy audio can severely hamper the driving experience.

Hopefully Google recognizes just how widespread and impactful the Bluetooth problems have become, particularly for car connectivity. Listening to user feedback and rapidly deploying worthwhile fixes should be a top priority. After all, nobody wants to be stuck battling Bluetooth woes when they’re just trying to rock out to their favorite tunes during their commute.