Persistent 'Quick Phrase' bubbles troubling many Google Pixel users

If you’re a Pixel owner and have been annoyed by random pop-ups telling you to “say snooze” or “say stop,” you’re not alone. Reports about these pesky Quick Phrase bubbles have flooded forums like Reddit and Google’s support forum in the last few days. The issue seems widespread, affecting Pixel 6, Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and even the newest Pixel 9 models.

These Quick Phrase bubbles, which are supposed to help you interact with alarms and timers more conveniently, are showing up when they’re not needed. Users say the bubbles appear even when no alarms are set, blocking the screen and interfering with basic tasks like typing or using apps.

Many users, including me on a Pixel 7a running Android 15, have experienced this. In my situation, I noticed the bubble appear once my alarm started going off. However, instead of the bubbling getting dismissed after I toggled off the alarm, it just stuck around. This bubble blocked the back function and also prevented the keyboard from opening up, something that others have also pointed out. Here’s a screenshot for reference:

I was, however, able to dismiss the bubble after triggering the Assistant again using the power button, but it’s not a permanent fix. Others report the bubbles come back within minutes or stay stuck on the screen until they force-stop the Google app or reboot the phone.

Reddit user u/smillieg shared their frustration:

This only started happening recently. The tips pop up saying either ‘say snooze’ or ‘say stop’ even when my alarm isn’t going off. I’ve turned off voice commands for alarms, but it keeps happening.

Other users, like u/MisterVega, believe this might be a server-side bug introduced by a recent update:

Force stopping the Google app worked. Probably some server-side goof they’ll fix soon.

Google’s official Pixel Community account has suggested a few steps to address the issue:

• Clear the Clock app cache: Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > Clock > Storage & cache > Clear cache.
• Reset app preferences: Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset app preferences. (Warning: This resets all app preferences to default.)
• Test in Safe Mode: If the issue doesn’t appear in Safe Mode, a third-party app might be causing it.

Unfortunately, these fixes have been hit or miss. Many users report the problem persists even after trying them. Battery drain is another concern. Some users claim to have noticed their microphones activating frequently, likely due to the Quick Phrase prompts.

This bug appears to be a recent one, possibly linked to Android 15 updates or a server-side change in the Google app. Google hasn’t officially acknowledged it beyond suggesting basic troubleshooting steps, but many are hopeful for a quick patch.

Until then, Pixel users might have to live with the random bubbles or keep experimenting with temporary fixes. If this issue is driving you crazy, you’re not alone. Let’s hope Google rolls out a solution soon.