Pixel 9 series Bluetooth issues: short range, stuttering connections, and disconnects

Google’s Pixel series has long been praised for its sleek design and AI-driven features, but connectivity issues have been a nagging sore point ever since the debut of the Tensor chipset in the Pixel 6. Now, the Pixel 9 series — expected to elevate the brand’s reputation — seems to have inherited the same wireless connection headaches, particularly when it comes to Bluetooth.

Since the release of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, users have flooded forums with reports of weak Bluetooth performance. Complaints have ranged from poor range to outright inability to connect. Users are facing the frustrating experience of disconnecting devices like earbuds, speakers, and even their cars at close distances that never posed problems for earlier Pixel models. Even the Pixel 8, which had some complaints of its own, seemed to fare better in terms of Bluetooth range.

Across multiple reports, Pixel 9 users are describing abysmal Bluetooth range — sometimes just a few feet before their devices lose connection. These issues crop up in various settings, from walking around the house with earbuds to taking phone calls via Android Auto. Users report disconnections when moving to another room, even when using Google’s own Pixel Buds. One user stated that their Pixel 9 had less than half the range of the Pixel 8 in the same environment, while another couldn’t walk more than 15 feet from their phone without the Bluetooth signal dropping.

These problems aren’t limited to earbuds either — many users have reported serious difficulties connecting their Pixel 9s to car Bluetooth systems. Android Auto connections are unstable, with some experiencing constant disconnections during calls or music streaming. The same problem extends to smartwatches and other Bluetooth accessories, making it seem like the issue may be affecting a wide range of device categories.

Interestingly, some users suspect the August 2024 Google Play system update might be the cause of these widespread issues. Bluetooth worked fine for a number of people before they installed this update, which seems to have triggered the connectivity problems. Those on Android 15 QPR1 1.1 beta have also reported increased instability with Android Auto and other Bluetooth services, leading many to believe that software is at the heart of these problems. One user even downgraded back to Android 14 in hopes of a fix, only to find that the August system update kept the issue alive.

Google has yet to publicly address the issue, though it has surfaced in the Issue Tracker and even escalated for further investigation, so there’s hope that a fix is on the way. Until then, users are left to deal with the frustration or — if they’re lucky — seek a replacement phone, which, in at least one case, seems to have resolved the problem.

The Bluetooth struggles have left many long-term Pixel users scratching their heads. Several users have reported that their older Pixel 7 or even Pixel 5 allowed for solid connections across multiple rooms, while the Pixel 9 could barely maintain a connection across a single floor. Another noted that switching between codecs and resetting devices did little to resolve the issue. It’s clear that for many, this is not just a minor inconvenience but a significant downgrade in daily usability.

It’s disappointing that a $1,200 flagship phone in 2024 is struggling to handle something as basic as Bluetooth connectivity — especially for users who rely on the technology for wireless headphones, car calls, or fitness tracking devices. At a time when many regions require hands-free calling by law, these Bluetooth hiccups have practical implications beyond mere annoyance.

Despite the flood of complaints, it remains unclear whether this is a hardware issue, a software bug, or some combination of both. Google will need to act swiftly if it wants to address what has become one of the more pressing concerns among early adopters of the Pixel 9 series.

Until an official fix rolls out, users might have to either grin and bear it or, as some have suggested, opt for a replacement device. Either way, this is yet another chapter in Google’s ongoing battle with Bluetooth connectivity issues, an issue that has stubbornly persisted since the Tensor-powered Pixel 6. If history is any indication, Pixel 9 users might not have a solution soon — unless Google can pull off a software update that restores Bluetooth connection to the range and stability users expect from a flagship device.