Google

Pixel 6 to 9 now lets you monitor device temperature with updated troubleshooting app

Published

5 months ago

December 3, 2024

Google has updated the Pixel Troubleshooting app to introduce a new feature that lets Pixel 6 through Pixel 9 users monitor their phone’s temperature in real-time. This capability offers enhanced insights into how your device is performing and what actions you can take to manage its temperature effectively.

How to Check Device Temperature

You can access this new feature through the following steps:

Open the Settings app.
Navigate to Battery > Battery diagnostics (scroll to the bottom).
Look for the “Phone is very warm” section.

Previously, this section simply indicated that “All settings are optimized.” Now, it provides a live temperature readout, which is updated in real time.

Temperature Indicators and Messages

The device temperature is classified into four distinct categories, represented by color-coded labels:

Cold
Normal
Warm
Elevated

Each category comes with tailored messages to help users understand the phone’s status and take necessary actions:

Cold:
“Your phone’s estimated temperature is lower than normal. It may shut down suddenly.”
Normal:
“This estimated temperature is typical with normal phone use.”
Warm:
“Your phone is slightly warm, but this is normal during use. To prevent further temperature increases, screen brightness and network speeds may be reduced.”
For devices charging:
“Charging is paused, and screen brightness and network speeds may be reduced.”
Elevated:
“Your phone’s estimated temperature is higher than normal. Your phone will try to cool down by temporarily limiting performance and pausing certain features.”

Tips for Managing Device Temperature

Google offers several tips to help you maintain your device’s temperature:

Provide airflow: Ensure your phone has proper ventilation.
Use proper cases: Stick to cases designed specifically for your Pixel device.
Close power-intensive apps: Shut down apps like games or video streaming to allow the phone to cool down.
Keep it protected in cold environments: Use an insulated case or keep it in an inner pocket close to your body.
Let it rest before heavy tasks: Before gaming or video calls, let the phone stabilize to prevent damage.

These suggestions aim to optimize your phone’s performance and extend its longevity.

Technical Insights

Google notes that the temperature reading is an estimate derived from multiple internal sensors. The information can also be accessed by searching “Device temperature” directly in the Settings app.

Availability

This feature is available with version 1.0.693922709 of the Pixel Troubleshooting app. It works on the Pixel 6, 7, 8, and 9 series running Android 15 (November release or later). However, it is not yet supported on the Pixel Tablet.

The update is gradually rolling out via the Google Play Store. If it’s not available on your device yet, you can check the app listing directly to see if you can manually update.

Why It Matters

Real-time temperature monitoring enhances the user experience by offering greater control and transparency over device performance. As smartphones handle more demanding tasks, such tools are essential for maintaining reliability and preventing hardware issues.

The Pixel’s temperature-checking capability is another example of how Google is leveraging software updates to improve user experience on its devices.

Source – 9To5

Google

Gmail and Google Photos get new design and useful updates

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Tom Carter

Google is giving Gmail and Google Photos some fresh updates to make things easier and more user-friendly.

First, Gmail on the web is now getting a new layout option. You can choose between “Cozy,” “Comfortable,” or “Compact” views based on how much space you want between your emails. Google is also adding a setting to control whether your inbox and labels stay on screen or only show up when needed. These changes make it easier to personalize how Gmail looks and feels.

Meanwhile, Gmail for iPhone is getting a visual upgrade. The app now uses Google’s updated design style called “Material 3.” You’ll notice a cleaner look with a rounded search bar at the top, smoother icons, and better spacing. Although the bottom bar and buttons look mostly the same, the overall design feels more modern and easier on the eyes.

Lastly, Google Photos is bringing back a helpful feature. The classic search shortcut that appears in the bottom bar is returning, making it quicker to find your photos. Before this, the shortcut had been removed when Google added the new “Memories” tab. Now, both features work together, letting you browse memories and search with ease.

These updates aim to make Google’s apps feel more useful, clean, and easier to use on both desktop and mobile.

Android

Android 16 boosts USB data safety and fixes delayed notifications on Pixel phones

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2025

Tom Carter

Google’s upcoming Android 16 update is bringing better security and some helpful improvements, especially for Pixel phone users. One of the main features in Android 16 is a new way to protect your phone’s data when it’s connected to a computer through USB. Right now, when you plug your phone into a PC or laptop, it can access all your data as long as you approve it.

With Android 16, Google is adding an extra security layer that only allows limited access unless you enter your PIN, password, or use your fingerprint. This will help protect your files if someone tries to access your phone without permission.

At the same time, Google is also working on a fix for a frustrating issue that some Pixel users have been facing for months — delayed notifications. After the April 2024 update, many users noticed that app alerts were not showing up on time, especially from messaging apps. Google has confirmed the problem and says a fix will be included in a future update, though it’s not in the current April patch yet.

Together, these changes show that Google is focusing on both stronger privacy and a smoother experience for Android and Pixel users. Android 16 is expected to roll out later this year, starting with developer previews.

Android

Google improves Translate, Assistant, TV, and Chrome with new updates

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2025

Tom Carter

Google is bringing several updates across its apps to make them more useful and easier to use. Google Translate is working on a new feature called “Practice.” It helps users improve their language skills by offering short exercises, like matching words or filling in blanks. Right now, it looks like it will focus on Spanish, but other languages may come later. This tool could be great for people who want to go beyond just translating words and learn the language.

Google Assistant’s Driving Mode in Google Maps is starting to shut down. Many users are noticing that the card-style dashboard is disappearing, and the Assistant voice command shortcut no longer works. Google hasn’t officially said why, but it seems they’re moving away from this feature, possibly to focus on other tools or experiences in Maps.

Google TV’s Freeplay app is now back with a fresh look. It gives users free access to over 100 live TV channels. The redesign makes it easier to browse channels and see what’s playing. The new layout also highlights what’s currently on, making it faster to start watching without having to dig through menus.

Lastly, Google Chrome is testing a new built-in PDF viewer. This upgraded tool makes reading and editing PDFs easier right inside the browser. It includes better zoom controls, a cleaner layout, and a page list view that lets users jump to specific pages more quickly. These updates show Google’s push to improve how we learn, drive, watch TV, and browse the web.