Some Pixel 4 XL owners report shedding issues


It seems like many Google Pixel 4 XL owners are suffering and reporting glass peeling issues on their smartphones.

Several reports have come up on Reddit and Google homeowner support forums that see the back glass panel effectively “peel off” from the back of their Pixel 4 XL devices. We have already seen previous sporadic reports that can often be due to bad manufacturing batches. However, reports appear to have increased in recent days, with more than a handful of people seeing the same problem (h / t Android Authority)


[[[[Update 07/22]: Google has responded to numerous complaints in the / r / GooglePixel subreddit. However, they have stated that this issue is likely not due to a battery expansion issue as someone claiming to work in the smartphone repair industry. With that in mind, it could simply be an adhesive problem, which is a manufacturing defect that can commonly affect glass-backed smartphones.

We investigated the problem and concluded that this is not related to the Pixel battery. If you are experiencing a rear glass lift on your Pixel 4 / 4XL, we recommend that you seek 1: 1 assistance to explore warranty options. We are here to assist you and we want to make sure that your Pixel 4 / 4XL works properly.

While that’s good news, this wouldn’t be the first time that a smartphone made by Google suffers from manufacturing flaws. Google has struggled with almost every device since the Nexus 5X and 6P, demonstrating just how difficult it is to really master hardware production.

If you’ve encountered a problem, Google suggests that you contact support for “1: 1” help. If you’ve already tried this, it may now be worth trying again to fix your problem.


It appears that the adhesive holding the rear glass to the Pixel 4 XL’s back panel is essentially breaking. It manifests towards the upper left or right corners of the back panel. You can see how it looks in our own Dylan Roussel’s Pixel 4 XL .gif file below:


[[[[To update]: uBreakiFix has confirmed that 9to5Google that while this person claiming to be an employee may have a theory about the issues Pixel 4 owners face, “they differ from manufacturers regarding alleged device issues and have no known service bulletins regarding related issues with the battery in the Pixel 4 “series.

While this unknown person’s theory is still a plausible explanation for the problems homeowners face, it is still a theory. We will just have to wait for Google to confirm if this is a widespread problem.


In a / r / GooglePixel forum post last month, a user who claimed to be the general manager of a uBreakiFix store, an authorized Pixel repair center, suggested this was due to faulty battery connectors. Apparently, this is causing the battery to swell and effectively “push” the rear glass from the back of the phone. He continues to confirm that his repair team has only seen this issue on Pixel 4 XL units, not the smaller Pixel 4.

We are not entirely sure if battery swelling is the cause of the rear glass detachment problem in Pixel 4 XL units. However, it may be worth contacting Google Support to initiate a repair or return if you are affected. When a battery swells, it becomes an increased risk of fire, so it is important to seek help as soon as possible.

With that said, have you seen the back glass come off or start to peel off the back of your Google Pixel 4 or 4 XL? Be sure to let us know in the comment section below. We’ve also reached out to Google for a comment on this issue, and we’ll update it if we have more news.

Dylan Roussel contributed to this article..

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