Is your Pixel Fold acting strangely? You’re not alone

Solution found!

While it’s normal to assume the cover screen might have just been broken, users report their devices were completely functional, with no screen issues whatsoever. That is, aside from the fact that the front display simply refused to turn on.
Fortunately, the community has found a temporary workaround. Apparently, users who experience such problems should download and install Fold Switcher, an app available on GitHub and F-Droid.

From this app, users can switch the device setting by tapping Rear Display or  REAR_DISPLAY_OUTER_DEFAULT. The original Reddit poster explains that after doing this, the phone worked normally again. 

Newer foldables aren’t immune 

This particular software glitch doesn’t appear to be limited to the original Google Pixel Fold. Redditor LoccyDaBorg has noticed a similar problem, where their Pixel 9 Pro Fold couldn’t detect when it should activate the cover panel.

Some users spotted a similar problem on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. | Image by PhoneArena

Oddly enough, gently closing the phone worked as expected. But folding it quickly sometimes left the front panel unresponsive. 

Where is the line drawn?

Foldable phones come with an inherently questionable durability despite their ultra-high asking price. Hardware problems such as hinge malfunctions, while disconcerting, are somewhat expected. 

But when the software fails, things get much worse. Bugs like these may ultimately be rare, but they highlight a lingering issue with foldables: no matter how advanced the hardware becomes, the experience still depends on the software performing as it should.