The fingerprint sensor on my LATEST Google ‘Pixel 6 Pro‘ (that I got in June 2022) was working GREAT until I got the December 2022 update for the phone a few days ago.
The fingerprint sensor has now basically stopped working!
OK, I am not as aggravated as I should be BECAUSE I already have a new Google ‘Pixel 7 Pro!’ The last few years I have been treating MYSELF to the latest Pixel phone at Christmas. Since it is my Christmas present I haven’t unboxed it yet. I like to start using the new phone on January 1 of each year. So, I was waiting. When fingerprint doesn’t work I keep on telling myself that this is but for another couple of weeks!
But, this is NOT funny. I feel bad for those who can’t upgrade or get another phone. Come on Google. This is NOT cricket.
Click to ENLARGE. Montage of the empty box (with NO labels) & the padded (sealed) FedEx envelope it was delivered in.Click image to access my July 5, 2022, post related to this sad saga.
This was related to my efforts to get the cracked screen on my ‘Pixel 6 Pro (256G)’ repaired — by Google. After the $259 screen replacement the fingerprint sensor did not work. Google promised to now send me a REPLACEMENT as this was now a warranty issue.
Since I had already BOUGHT a new Pixel 6 Pro (256GB) prior to getting the old one repaired, I told Google I will first send in the defective phone BEFORE they shipped me the replacement. This way they would NOT charge my credit card for the replacement unit — while they awaited my return. I also indicated that I did NOT want a shipping box from Google since I already had several!
I FedExed the return on Friday, July 8, 2022.
Google received the return on Monday, July 11, 2022.
On July 12, 2022, I got e-mails (with tracking numbers) saying they were FedExing — overnight — the NEW REPLACEMENT.
So, I was expecting the REPLACEMENT.
On July 13, 2022, FedEx came & delivered me a padded envelope (sealed & undamaged) from Google. Much to my surprise they didn’t want a signature. I had been told that a signature would be required. {Strange} The envelope was remarkably light.
I opened it. There was a brown box with no labels on it. A genuine, virgin box.
PANIC!
I am holding an empty box rather than a replacement phone.
Googled it! Appears that this does happen, i.e., getting an empty box rather than a phone. All these posts said that it was a NIGHTMARE to get the problem resolved by Google. They were NOT KIDDING.
‘Google Store’ telephone & chat support sucks — sucks BAD!
It took me 3 telephone calls & 2 chat sessions before we finally got to the bottom of why I got an empty box rather than the replacement phone. I spent a total of 6 hours trying to get this resolved! 6 hours. It was NIGHTMARE.
This would have never been the case with Amazon telephone support. They would have fixed it in 20 minutes — max.
Google support was CLUELESS.
I was so desperate that I filed a POLICE REPORT!
Finally on my 3rd call, 6-hours after my 1st call, a Google rep. (who happened to be Indian) worked it out.
My replacement unit was still on the way. It had been delayed. There was NO problem with my replacement. It was coming — but it would NOT get to me for 2 more days.
The empty box was a MISTAKE.
They had send it to me so I could send my ‘damaged’ unit back.
But, I had already sent that in & they had received it.
Plus, I had said that I did NOT want a box to return my unit — I already had a box.
Sending the empty box was a MISTAKE on the part of Google.
Their mistake had cost me a lot of stress & the loss of 6 hours.
Click to ENLARGE. Yesterday’s post annotated.Click to ENLARGE. E-mail from ‘Google Store’.
The RETURN, to my DISMAY, is going back to ‘Cynergy‘ (who to my dismay) did the screen replacement!
I just had a feeling that this whole screen replacement of my Pixel 6 Pro, by ‘Google’, was gong ‘too good’ to be true! Well, my fears, alas, have come to roost. The $259 repair was a FARCE.
When I started setting up the repaired phone I started getting an error message saying that the fingerprint sensor was NOT working!
Ah?
Hadn’t they checked. Google claims that the phones are tested, robotically, after repair BEFORE they are shipped back. Well, they obviously hadn’t checked the fingerprint sensor.
I did a quick Google. Appears that this is a KNOWN problem on Pixel 6s. It is said to be a SOFTWARE BUG. The software refuses to recognize the fingerprint sensor on replaced screens.
The error message I kept on getting directed me towards my warranty!
So, I called up Google.
They seemed to know what the problem was.
They made a HALF-HEARTED attempt to get me to download, via my PC, a FINGERPRINT CALIBERATION TOOL. It did not work. It would NOT load. Google was expecting that! Hhhmmm.
Then they said they will give me a replacement. I chose the option where I sent in the defective phone first & they then replace it once they got it. That is what I am doing. Plan to drop it off with FedEx on Thursday. I will, of course, keep you posted.
Yes, the finicky fingerprint sensor in the new Google Pixel 6s and Pixel 6 Pros are by now legendary. You can’t deny that there is an issue. It always feels like it is going to be a crapshoot. You can never be sure.
The sensor is particularly annoying in cold weather — & as some of you know I spend at least 3 hours a day, every day, outside, irrespective of the temp. Plus, when I am outside I like to take pictures — I want to take pictures — I need to take pictures.
A couple of days ago I gave up struggling with the fingerprint sensor when outside. It was just too aggravating.
So, I now just use ‘Lockdown’ each time. Faster just to bang in my 4 digit PIN than fighting with the fingerprint sensor. I have set up my Pro so that the ‘Quick Menu’ comes up whenever I press the ‘Power’ button. So, it is quick enough. I find it much easier. Less annoying. Just passing this along. It might help.
