Typo in custom ROM code breaks unlimited photo backups on the Google Pixels
A typo in the build script of AOSP-based custom ROMs for the Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones is reportedly causing the photo uploads from Google Camera to count against the Google Photos storage limit. The bug, however, is fixed now and users running custom ROMs on first gen Pixel phones should be able to use the unlimited Google Photos storage as usual.
A typo error in the build scripts for Google Pixel and Pixel XL custom ROMs resulted in photos uploaded to Google Photos being counted against the storage limit. The Pixel smartphones have been bestowed with unlimited Google Photos storage, which enables users to upload high quality original photos taken by the Google Camera app without counting against the storage limit.
This typo error in question was because the flag "PRODUCT_MANUFACTURER" was set to "google" instead of "Google" resulting in the consumption of storage on Google Photos. Only the first generation Pixels running on AOSP-based ROMs are being reportedly affected by this bug. Those running on stock ROMs and the Pixel 2 phones running AOSP-based ROMs seem to be okay.
The error, however, has been identified and fixed by XDA Senior Member 'razorloves'. A fix for this was submitted to AOSP on July 3 and merged on July 6. Therefore, downloading newer custom ROM builds from XDA should be just fine.
Did you flash a custom ROM on your Pixel and happened to run into this bug? Let us know below.
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam - Managing Editor - 1899 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2012
Though a cell and molecular biologist by training, I have been drawn towards computers from a very young age ever since I got my first PC in 1998. My passion for technology grew quite exponentially with the times, and it has been an incredible experience from being a much solicited source for tech advice and troubleshooting among family and friends to joining Notebookcheck in 2017 as a professional tech journalist. Now, I am a Lead Editor at Notebookcheck covering news and reviews encompassing a wide gamut of the technology landscape for Indian and global audiences. When I am not hunting for the next big story or taking complex measurements for reviews, you can find me unwinding to a nice read, listening to some soulful music, or trying out a new game.