Google Pixel 9 Disables Some AI Features After Unlocking the Bootloader [Android News Byte]

Published: 28 August 2024
on channel: Explaining Android

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If you plan on unlocking the bootloader of your Pixel 9 series phone, be aware that you'll lose access to some of its AI features.

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Mentioned Links
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XDA Thread - https://xdaforums.com/t/pixel-screens...

Video Description
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Google used to have a "I don't care" attitude when it came to unlocking the bootloader and rooting your Nexus or Pixel smartphone.
They are one of the few OEMs who will still honor the warranty even when your device has been rooted.

#pixel9 #pixel9pro #pixel9proxl #pixel9profold #googlepixel

But it seems they are not so happy with letting you use some of the new AI features on your Pixel 9 series phone if you have unlocked the bootloader. And they restrict this even more if they catch you spoofing your device fingerprint.

As more and more people begin to start using their Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, we're starting to see some added restrictions for those who want full access to the software.

If you have unlocked the bootloader of your Pixel 9 series device, then the Pixel Screenshots AI feature ceases to function properly.
That's not all, though.

AI reports within the new Pixel Weather application will also no longer work.
And some users are reporting that the Call Notes feature will refuse to work as well.

Pixel Studio will continue to work if you have an unlocked bootloader. But, if you decide to spoof your device fingerprint then that application will refuse to work as well.

We are still waiting for an official comment from Google about this situation
But some are speculating that this restriction has been put into place to protect the AI models that these features are using.

We don't know if this is an attempt to prevent those models from being accessed in general.
Or if Google is limiting these features in an attempt to prevent those with root access from bypassing the guard rails that the company has put into place.

I am happy to see that Google is not taking sweeping action with this like we've seen Samsung take.
So, if you relock the bootloader of your Pixel 9 series device, then you will regain access to all of those AI features.

On the plus side, if you're not a fan of the AI features Google has been pushing lately.
You could simply unlock the bootloader and most of them will no longer nag you with notifications.

I am very interested in hearing what Google has to say about this situation
So be sure to subscribe to the channel for an update on the topic as soon as it becomes available.

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