Google Pixel 4a boot loop bug finally fixed after 2 months

Google had already released an update in early July that fixed a boot loop issue on smartphones ranging from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 10 ($729 on Amazon). However, the Google Pixel 4a did not receive this update, as the mid-range smartphone from 2020 has not received any operating system updates since Android 13. Nevertheless, the older Pixel smartphone also suffers from a boot loop issue, as reports in the Google Issue Tracker show.

The problem manifests differently on the Pixel 4a than on newer models, as the smartphone crashes only when location services are disabled and Wi-Fi is turned on. As long as these settings remain in place, the Google Pixel 4a continuously restarts, rendering the smartphone practically unusable. After about two months, Google has finally fixed this issue. As several Pixel 4a users on Reddit report, this boot loop error no longer occurs after installing the latest Google Play System update.

The update is dated July 1 in Google’s changelog but is only now being rolled out to most Pixel 4a users. To install the update on a Pixel 4a stuck in a boot loop, you must first restart the smartphone in safe mode by holding down the volume down button during startup. Next, location services can be enabled in safe mode before restarting the smartphone normally. If the device crashes even in safe mode, it may help to turn off your home Wi-Fi router to prevent the smartphone from connecting.