Pixel 2 XL Users Report Voice Messaging Issue, Google Promises Fix

Some Google Pixel 2 XL users have reported a volume flaw that reduces the sound level of audio clips sent through messaging apps such as Google Allo, Instagram, and Telegram among others. Google has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix. The newest problem notably emerges days after some Pixel 2 and Pixel users complained about a connectivity flaw with mesh routers.

Affected users have reported the voice messaging issue on the Pixel User Community of the Google Product Forums. The users state that when they send a voice clip recorded on a Pixel 2 XL suffering from the bug, the recipient receives the same clip with a minimal volume. The sound level on the receiving device can’t be increased even by taking up the level to maximum or by using headphones, as spotted by AndroidPolice. “I experienced the unusually low volume for outgoing voice messages in WhatsApp on two Pixel 2 XLs. The same behaviour was observed with Google Allo voice messages,” one of the users who described the issue on Google Product Forums said, adding that the issue doesn’t impact the volume in phone calls and is absent from the Pixel 2 and older Pixel models.

It appears that the problem with voice messages exists on Pixel 2 XL units running Android 8.0 and Android 8.1. However, we weren’t able to replicate the issue on an Android 8.1-running Pixel 2 XL unit of a team member.

Community Manager Orrin Hancock stated in response to user reports that Google is aware of the issue and is looking into it. “Want to let you all know that we are aware of this [issue], and looking into it. I might be reaching out for bug reports and other info privately,” he responded.

Last month, Pixel 2 and the first-generation Pixel users reported issues with mesh routers. The issue was mainly bringing frequent disconnects and spontaneous reboot of access points when connected an affected Pixel device with a mesh router. Google assured a fix that is seemingly yet to reach the Pixel units. The Pixel handsets were also in the headlines in the recent past for issues such as speaker distortion and random reboots.