21
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

I'm looking for some advice, recently my pixel 6a and a pixel 8a both have the same annoying behaviour, periodically the three bottom buttons stop working or lag to an extreme degree, so the back button, home button and app switcher.

I suspect it's related to 3rd party launchers, I use Action Launcher but was able to replicate it on Lawnchair as well.

I've currently got the default Pixel/Nexus launcher selected as a test (I hate it), so far it seems to be immune from this issue. Are 3rd party launchers all suffering from the same issue? Anything I can do?

EDIT: Thankfully the pixel launcher also started doing this eventually so I can happily switch back to action launcher while I choose a new phone!

If you think the fairphone 6 is a silly choice, please persuade me otherwise as that's what I'm currently thinking, with a view to a 5 year+ phone

top 11 comments
sorted by: hot top new old
[-] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago

I've heard there is a long-standing issue with 3rd-party launchers, but I've been using Lawnchair (legacy) on a pixel 4, 6, and 8 and never experienced issues like that.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago

It might be worth trying one or two other launchers (Nova and Microsoft, perhaps?) and checking OS versions to see if it’s possibly a Pixel issue, an OS issue, or something else entirely. I think recall vaguely hearing about Google discouraging third-party launchers, but I don’t know that they actually did anything to make them worse.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

Thanks, it feels like a memory/RAM issue but obviously Google messed up the 6a all around so I wouldn't put it past them to nerf it wherever possible. The battery issue resolution options on the 6a are clearly geared towards Google store credit, but I don't think I'm getting another pixel in future so useless to me.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

Shame… that stinks. Well, if it’s any consolation, Samsung phones are finally at the 7 years of software update promise, so you might be able to get an S24 or A34 (or higher, of course, just two options), load it up with Material-style launchers and icon packs, even maybe the open Pixel Camera app from that one website, and turn it into your new “Pixel” until the battery FULLY dies. That, or you can embrace ONE UI or another Android skin entirely, up to you.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

Considering the fairphone 6... I have the 6a for more than 2.5y even though I hate it versus the 3a it replaced. So it almost got to the 3y anyway

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Hey, there you go. I’ve yet to encounter one myself, but the Fairphone 6 seems to finally be “viable” for most people. Battery’s still on the weaker side and performance is a bit behind most comparable phones, but in terms of ethics and sustainability, they’re unmatched.

I’d love to check out a budget flagship-killer like the Nothing or CMF Phones, but software update support was crucial enough to have kept me from fully switching to Android for years. I happen to be partial to Samsung after having their tablets for so long, but other brands (so long as they offer comparable update support) have stepped up significantly. Since Fairphone does have that much down though, go for it.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

Obviously there's no guarantee they will exist still in 5/6 years but one can hope!

[-] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

I recommend Kvaesitso, it is well integrated and the app switchers triggers properly. I have tested Lawnchair but it behaves like a separate app and not part of the system which Kvaesitso does really well.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

Thanks, I did try that but none of the widgets work properly for me 😔

[-] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

Huh, maybe it is me using Lawnchair. I am using up-to-date GrapheneOS on a Pixel 8a and have noticed that my navigator buttons will just have a stroke at random times throughout the day, and it is annoying. I use lawnchair so I can apply icon packs. Haven't tested the base launcher yet.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

The base launcher seems rock solid so far annoyingly so it's a question of which compromise can I live with. The features on Action are SO far beyond what Pixel launcher has it's not even a comparison

this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2025
21 points (100.0% liked)

Android

31489 readers
6 users here now

DROID DOES

Welcome to the droidymcdroidface-iest, Lemmyest (Lemmiest), test, bestest, phoniest, pluckiest, snarkiest, and spiciest Android community on Lemmy (Do not respond)! Here you can participate in amazing discussions and events relating to all things Android.

The rules for posting and commenting, besides the rules defined here for lemmy.world, are as follows:

Rules


1. All posts must be relevant to Android devices/operating system.


2. Posts cannot be illegal or NSFW material.


3. No spam, self promotion, or upvote farming. Sources engaging in these behavior will be added to the Blacklist.


4. Non-whitelisted bots will be banned.


5. Engage respectfully: Harassment, flamebaiting, bad faith engagement, or agenda posting will result in your posts being removed. Excessive violations will result in temporary or permanent ban, depending on severity.


6. Memes are not allowed to be posts, but are allowed in the comments.


7. Posts from clickbait sources are heavily discouraged. Please de-clickbait titles if it needs to be submitted.


8. Submission statements of any length composed of your own thoughts inside the post text field are mandatory for any microblog posts, and are optional but recommended for article/image/video posts.


Community Resources:


We are Android girls*,

In our Lemmy.world.

The back is plastic,

It's fantastic.

*Well, not just girls: people of all gender identities are welcomed here.


Our Partner Communities:

[email protected]


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS