Many tech enthusiasts were looking forward to getting their hands on a foldable device from Google. After all when you are getting a clean stock OS experience with an excellent camera, what else could one ask for? Granted, it was the first generation, so there are bound to be a few rough edges [did anyone say bezels?] or more than a few if you are JerryRig Everything, but still, the device generally got positive receptions [not the network reception, that’ still a distant dream!].
However, what many users tend to forget or simply ignore is the fact that this $1800 device still beholds the Tensor chipset. For the unaware, this chipset from Google is based on Samsung’s Exynos. And all the devices that the Silicon Valley giant has released to date with the Tensor chipset, including the Pixel 6 and 7 series, and now the Fold, all seem to be bugged with three common issues- overheating, excessive battery drain, and most importantly a pathetic modem.
The last one has already given nightmares to the Pixel 6 and 7 series and it’s now time for the Fold users to sail in the same boat. And guess what? A slew of issues regarding the same has already started pouring in. Numerous Pixel Fold users have voiced their concern that they are facing countless different types of network issues- from randomly switching between 4G/5G [even though the setting has been turned off], to a sudden network drop to zero, and an abysmal signal reception.
I’m having quite a deja vu writing this article as the exact same wordings time and again for the sixth and seventh iteration of Pixel devices as well. On a serious note though, this begs two important questions: will there be ever an end to this fiasco, and more importantly, how to rectify this issue? Well, the answer to your second question [aka rectification measures] has been listed in the next section below.
As far as the future of these devices and the underlying network issues are concerned, you should expect them to linger for one more year. Google has planned to completely cut ties with Samsung by 2025 in favor of developing its own Tensor processors. This was initially planned to start next year [2024] so all eyes were on the Pixel 8 series, however, this ‘plan’ has now been delayed by another year.
So hold on to your purchases for another year and wait for the ninth iteration of Pixel devices to make their way. They will be the first in line to boast the in-house Tensor chipset and hopefully, the first Pixel devices [since the tensor chipset made its way] to have stable network connectivity [fingers crossed].
Table of Contents
How to Fix Google Pixel Fold Network Issues
It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success. So with that in mind, let’s get started.
FIX 1: Install OTA Update [New]
As is the case with every Pixel device, this one would also receive a patch within a couple of weeks that tend to address a few issues. While this in no way would be capable enough to completely fix the network issues, but it will at least minimize it to the maximum possible extent. So do grab hold of this update as and when it rolls out and then check out the results:
- To begin with, head over to Settings > System > System Update.
- You should now see a new update available, Hit Install [or Resume].
- Once installed [which would take close to an hour], hit Restart.
- Check if it fixes the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold.
FIX 2: Switch SIM Slots
Your first course of action should be to remove the SIM card from the current slot and put it into the other slot. Do so and then check if it fixes the underlying network issues.
FIX 3: Toggle Airplane Mode
Next up, you should consider refreshing your device’s cellular settings by enabling and then disabling Airplane Mode. However, here’s an important point to keep in mind- while this fix comes with a high success rate, the respite will be short-lived [up to a couple of hours at the very max]. But in our current scenario, a bird in hand would definitely be worth two in the bush! So let’s put this fix to the test and check out the results.
- Head over to Settings > Network and Internet.
- Then enable the toggle next to Airplane Mode.
- Now wait for a few seconds and then disable it.
- Check if it fixes the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold.
FIX 4: Boot to Safe Mode
In some instances, a third-party app or service might conflict with the normal functionalities of the device. The best way to verify and hence rectify this issue is to boot your device to Safe Mode. In that mode, all the third-party apps and services will be disabled and if the underlying issue gets resolved, then the culprit was indeed a third-party app. So you should then boot to normal mode and uninstall the recently installed apps. Here’s how it could be done.
- Long press the Power button to bring up the Power menu. Then long tap on the Power Off option.
- Now tap on OK in the Reboot to Safe Mode popup. Verify if the SIM card is being detected or not.
- If it’s detected, then reboot the device back to normal mode.
- Now uninstall the recently installed apps one at a time, after which the issue first came to light.
- Check if it fixes the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold.
FIX 5: Disable 5G
Another reason why you might be getting bugged with this issue is the instability in the 5G network. Therefore, you should consider switching over to the 4G network, using the instructions given below:
- Head over to the Settings menu on your device.
- Then go to Network and Internet and tap on SIMs.
- Now go to Preferred Network Type and select 4G/LTE from the list.
- Check if it fixes the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold.
FIX 6: Disable 2G
While you might not be aware of this fact, but 2G is still enabled on your device. However, there could be some instances wherein it might conflict with the newer 4G/5G network. Therefore, you should consider disabling it and then check out the results. Here’s how it could be done:
- Head over to Settings > Network and Internet.
- Then go to SIMs and select your SIM from the list.
- Now disable the toggle next to Allow 2G.
- Check if it fixes the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold.
FIX 7: Disable Adaptive Connectivity
The Adaptive Connectivity feature automatically decides what’s best for your device, out of 4G and 5G, in specific use case scenarios. For example, if you are using an instant messaging app, then it will switch over to 4G to preserve battery life. On the other hand, it will make a switch to 5G when you are streaming videos. However, as of now, it seems to be conflicting with the mobile network and hence resulting in the inability to place calls. So you should consider disabling this feature, which could be done as follows:
- To begin with, head over to the Settings menu on your device.
- Then go to the Network and Internet section.
- After that, scroll to Adaptive Connectivity and disable the toggle next to it.
- Check if it fixes the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold.
FIX 8: Turn off VoLTE and VoWiFi
Some users were able to rectify this bug after disabling both the Voice over LTE and Voice over WiFi features on their devices. So let’s try out this tweak using the below-given instructions and check out the results.
- Head over to Settings > Network and Internet.
- Then go to Calls and SMS and select your SIM under WiFi calling.
- Now disable the toggle next to Use WiFi Calling.
- Check if it fixes the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold.
FIX 9: Disable Dual SIM Dual Standby
DSDS allows both SIM cards to remain active a the same time, thereby preventing you from having to manually disable one SIM so as to use the other. However, in some cases, the network signal from one SIM might end up conflicting with the other, especially when both SIMs are from different carriers. Therefore, you should consider disabling this feature, using the instructions listed below:
- Bring up the Dialer and type in the below command
*#*#4636#*#*
- Then select Phone Information from the list.
- After that, disable the toggle next to DSDS.
- Check if it fixes the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold.
FIX 10: Reset APN
Access Point Name beholds some of the most important related to your current network. In case, its data gets corrupted, then you are always likely to face SIM and network-related issues. In such cases, you should reset the APN Setting and let the carrier recreate a fresh one from scratch. Here’s how it could be done-
- To begin with, head over to Settings > network and Internet > SIMs.
- Then select your SIM from the list and go to Access Point Names.
- Now select your current APN, tap on the overflow icon situated at the top right, and select Delete APN.
- Then restart your device and the APN profile will be re-populated by the carrier.
- Check if it fixes the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold.
FIX 12: Reset Network
If none of the aforementioned methods worked out in your favor, then your last course of action should be to reset the network settings on your device back to its factory default state. Do keep in mind that doing so will erase all the saved WiFi passwords and paired devices. So sync the passwords with your Google account beforehand.
- Head over to Settings > System > Reset Options.
- Then go to Reset WiFi, mobile, and Bluetooth.
- Finally, tap on Reset Settings and wait for the process to complete.
- Check if it fixes the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold.
So these were the various methods to fix the network issues on your Google Pixel Fold. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.
