Android 14 users beware! A critical bug is affecting devices running the new operating system, particularly those utilizing the “multiple profiles” feature. This bug renders devices practically unusable, locking users out of their own storage.
The issue, likened to “ransomware” by some users, initially appeared limited to the Pixel 6 series. However, with the wider rollout of Android 14, reports suggest it now impacts various Pixel models, including the 6a, 7, 7a, Fold, and Tablet.
The Google issue tracker for this is now up to over 350 replies and has had no response from Google. The bug is languishing at only the medium “P2” priority (P0 is the highest) and remains “unassigned,” meaning, assuming the tracker is up to date, no one is looking into it.
Some users have helpfully posted log files full of worrying messages, like, “Failed to open directory /data/media/0: Structure needs cleaning.” Being locked out of your own device’s data partition causes all sorts of bizarre issues. Some users are boot looping, others are stuck on a “Pixel is starting…” message, while others can get into the phone. If your phone tries to continue trucking with no local storage, you’ll be inundated with all sorts of error messages. The camera app claims to be “out of storage,” and you can’t take screenshots because there’s nowhere to store the screenshots. The file manager lists 0 bytes for every type of file and empty folder, and the files also aren’t viewable from a PC over USB. The System UI and Settings also keep crashing. Basically, computers need storage to function!
Shockingly, some users report the phone automatically initiating a factory reset, wiping all data and eliminating any chance of recovery. This feature raises concerns about the reliability of phones as primary storage for critical information.
