Google’s November update is breaking Pixel cameras, but there’s an easy fix

Coverage from six technology outlets published on November 12, 2026, documents that Google's November Pixel Drop update is triggering camera malfunctions and wireless charging anomalies on Pixel devices, with particular impact reported on Pixel 10 models. Android Police reports that some Pixel 10 owners say wireless charging now drains their battery instead of replenishing it after installing the update. PhoneArena similarly notes Pixel phone owners are dealing with a new charging headache, while Android Headlines characterizes the update as causing both camera and charging headaches across the Pixel lineup. The issues appear to have emerged immediately following the November 2026 Pixel Drop deployment.

The coverage emphasizes that a straightforward fix exists for the camera issues. Android Authority's headline explicitly states there is an easy fix for the broken cameras, while JournalArta describes a five-minute fix for the problem. Tech Advisor takes a more cautionary stance, advising readers not to install the November Pixel Drop yet. The outlets reporting on this include JournalArta, Tech Advisor, Android Headlines, Android Police, PhoneArena, and Android Authority, all publishing within the same hour on November 12, suggesting coordinated awareness of the issue across the Android technology press.

This development matters because Pixel devices serve as Google's reference hardware for Android, and software updates are expected to enhance rather than degrade core functionality like cameras and charging. The November Pixel Drop likely included feature additions and security patches typical of Google's monthly update cadence, but the regression in basic hardware functions represents a quality control lapse. Wireless charging draining batteries instead of charging them is a particularly severe regression that could leave users with dead devices if they rely on wireless chargers overnight or at work.

Based on the coverage, users should watch for an official acknowledgment or hotfix from Google addressing both the camera and wireless charging regressions. The fact that multiple outlets have identified a settings-based workaround suggests the issue may be software-configuration related rather than requiring a full firmware rollback. Until Google releases a corrected update, Pixel owners may want to delay installation of the November Pixel Drop, particularly those who depend on wireless charging or camera functionality for daily use.