ⓘ Daniel Schmidt, Notebookcheck
Google Pixel owners should avoid installing the March 2026 update until further notice
A multitude of Google Pixel smartphones have been unable to boot into Android after installing the March 2026 update. Google has acknowledged the issue and says it is working on a fix.
Last month, several Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 users complained about being stuck at the lockscreen after installing the March 2026 update for Pixel devices. Others stated their fingerprint sensor was no longer working. Google has acknowledged the issue and is said to be working on a fix. However, a new bug has afflicted the same devices, and one might argue it is much worse.
Some Reddit users (via Android Authority) report that their phones are unable to get past the Google logo during boot. Others see a “Cannot load Android system and data corrupt” error with the same results. The bug has affected far more devices—even a five-year-old Pixel 6 is not exempt.
While some users have managed to put their phones into safe mode by pressing down the volume up and down buttons at the Pixel logo, others are unable to get past it. The latter may have to install any Google patch via ADB sideload, which is beyond the scope of many average users.
Google acknowledged the issue on April 2, and hopefully, a fix will arrive soon. Meanwhile, if you’re a Google Pixel owner, it’s best to avoid the March 2026 update until it gets fixed.
Anil Ganti – Senior Tech Writer – 2881 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2019
I’ve been an avid PC gamer since the age of 8. My passion for gaming eventually pushed me towards general tech, and I got my first writing gig at the age of 19. I have a degree in mechanical engineering and have worked in the manufacturing industry and a few other publications like Wccftech before joining Notebookcheck in November 2019. I cover a variety of topics including smartphones, gaming, and computer hardware.