Google has acknowledged a notification bug affecting some Pixel phone users on Android 16, with a fix slated for an upcoming quarterly release. The issue, reported on Google’s Issue Tracker in June, prevents notification sounds from playing when a notification is already present in the notification shade.
The bug was introduced with the stable version of Android 16, released in June. Users have reported that subsequent notifications are silent, even with volume at maximum and Do-Not-Disturb override permissions granted. According to one user’s report, “When testing notifications, we realized that subsequent notifications are not playing any sounds, even when volume has been set to the MAX volume, as well as Do-Not-Disturb override permissions are granted (although this issue exists both when DND mode is on and off). Upon dismissing the notifications, the next notification WILL play a sound.”
The problem isn’t limited to a specific Pixel model, with complaints spanning from Pixel 6 to Pixel 9 devices. Affected users have expressed frustration, particularly regarding silent alerts from alarms, smart cameras, and glucose monitors.
Google confirmed on August 7 that a solution has been developed internally and will be included in the next Android 16 QPR release. “Thanks for reporting this issue. It’s fixed internally and will be included in the next quarterly release,” Google stated.
The exact timing of the fix remains uncertain, as it could arrive in either the QPR1 release, anticipated later this month, or the QPR2 release, expected in December. While awaiting the official fix, some users have suggested workarounds, including using the Notification Manager app, which costs $4.
