Several Pixel users have encountered problems after upgrading to Google's latest operating system, Android 14. The issues were initially reported by Pixel 6 users, but it soon became apparent that users of other Google devices, including Pixel 6a, 7, 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet, were also affected.

The problems seem to be related to the 'multiple profiles' feature. Users reported being unable to access their device storage, likening the experience to being hit by ransomware. This issue rendered their smartphones virtually unusable.

According to ars Technica, a Google issue tracker received over 510 replies from affected users. The reported problems included missing apps, constant crashes, and the inability to use internal storage. Users shared screenshots showcasing the issues they encountered. However, some users were unable to post screenshots as their devices were stuck in a boot loop or lacked sufficient storage.

In response to the complaints, a Google community manager confirmed that the issue extended beyond the Pixel 6 and affected other Pixel devices after the Android 14 update. The manager specifically mentioned that the issue impacted devices with multiple users, including guests, restricted profiles, and child users.

The community manager explained the severity of the situation, stating that the issue could either prevent the primary user from accessing media storage or prompt the device to repeatedly reboot with a "Factory data reset" message. Accepting this message would result in the loss of non-backed up data.

To address the problem, Google released a Google Play system update aimed at preventing further occurrences of this issue on Pixel devices. The official advisory on the Google forum stated that this update should resolve the media storage issue triggered by the Android 14 update. However, recovery methods for users stuck in a boot loop are yet to be provided, leaving uncertainty about data retrieval.

The community manager assured users that Google is actively investigating possible methods to recover data for devices stuck in the boot loop. They stated that more information would be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Pixel users are advised to exercise caution before upgrading their devices to Android 14 until the issue is fully resolved.