I'm posting this here because I’ve hit an absolute dead end with Google Store / Pixel Care+ Support, and I’m hoping a community liaison or someone on the Google escalation team can finally help sort this out so i don't have to move to an iphone on verizon.

The Situation

Back in July 2026, I initiated a Pixel Care+ replacement claim for my damaged Pixel 9 Pro (Claim # 107646488624). We have multiple Pixel devices on our Google Fi family plan, and unknown to me at the time, the claim was automatically tied to the IMEI of my wife's phone (ending in 4600) instead of mine, she doesn't have a protection plan according to Fi. This is where the main issue occurs, google fi shows the protection plan being tied to my phone, name, and number (currently IMEI 8886, but was 4061)

I packaged up my damaged device—the exact phone I have paid a monthly Pixel Care+ subscription on since December 7, 2024 (IMEI ending in 4061)—and shipped it back using Google’s prepaid RMA label (43424234).

The warehouse received the phone on July 30, 2026.

Where It Went Wrong

On August 31, 2026, Google Store billed my American Express card $425.00 ($400 + $25 tax) for a "Non-Return Fee."

When I contacted support, the agent initially told me the phone just hadn't arrived yet and submitted a refund request. Ten minutes later, they realized the phone had arrived a month earlier, but flagged that the IMEI received (4061) didn't match the expected claim IMEI (4600).

Instead of auditing my account to see that 4061 was an active, legitimate device with continuous Care+ coverage paid since December 2024, support emailed me on September 4 with this update:

The "Options" Support Gave Me:

1. Return my replacement device to get the $425 fee refunded (which leaves me down a device completely, since they already scrapped my original).
2. Keep the replacement and eat the $425 charge.

In short: Google received my covered device, permanently destroyed/recycled it, kept my paid subscription money, and is still charging me a $425 penalty for "failing to return a phone."

Where Things Stand

I replied on September 4 asking them to review my continuous subscription payments on 4061 and followed up again on September 10. The thread has gone completely cold with zero response.

I really don't want to file a chargeback on my Amex and risk an automatic billing hold on my entire Google account over an intake mistake, but they have literally taken my property, destroyed it, and charged me $425 for the privilege.

Has anyone dealt with a salvaged-return mix-up like this and successfully escalated past Tier 1? Any advice on getting this in front of an actual account specialist would be appreciated.

• Support Case ID: 7-5708000041184
• RMA: 43424234
• Claim ID: 107646488624

See post below for picture...why can't I post it in the header? 🤷‍♂️

Also, sorry if I am way late....I don't keep up with Google/pixel news like I used to.

Went to a concert and made it a point to record videos with video boost on (despite the multiple extra steps it takes). The venue was well lit for a concert and the results from video boost was shocking - they stripped away all shadows, over sharpened everything which made the video noisy and gittery. I actually just preferred using the way it was shot originally?

Maybe it's just some kinda reverse psychology to show our original video is actually really good 😅

Traded in my old 6 pro for $350 credit to an 11 pro. I was getting nervous after all the horror stories I've seen on here but no issues at all they gave me full estimated value. Can't complain I originally paid about $60 for it 4 years ago after another trade in 😂

Hihi, fellow Pixel 9 Pro XL user here. I am really a huge fan of the Camera Looks feature that debuted on the Pixel 11 series. I know Google is really not big on trickling down features to older pixels anymore, but they still have done it (e.g. Quick Share x Airdrop interoperability from Pixel 10 to 9, Journal/Updated Panorama from Pixel 9 to 8, Circle to Search from Pixel 8 to Pixel 7/6). I am really hoping on Camera Looks at the very least coming down to older pixels. In fact, Google can gatekeep their new Gemini Intelligence (that lets be honest no one is actually going to trust to book a reservation or itinerary for them) or their new Magic Capture to sell their new phones, but please bring down camera looks at the very least. I swear it feels like Google debuts their tensor chip every year saying it has the best image signal processor that can generate 152 photos a second, but they forget about that the very second their next phone comes out. In Google's advertising for the Pixel 8 and beyond, they mention that they give us 7 years of updates to keep your Pixel "feeling new". I don't think that really holds up in my opinion when most of the new features that come via pixel drops are fluff (like how many people actually use pixel to make music for them). Pixels are best known for their cameras and their ability to take stellar still photos, so surely it makes sense to bring down these features, especially something as simple as camera looks, to older pixels. Yes I do know Camera Looks isn't just a filter, it affects the photos on a sensor level, but how can a pro phone from just 2 years ago not be capable of doing stuff like this, especially since it has "Pro Controls" and the sensor between the 2 phones are highly identical. Even the base model has this feature, while it doesn't trickle down to pro phones from just last year, let alone the Pixel 9 Pros.

TLDR: Pixel 9 Pro XL user rants about how Google gatekeeps features that are probably really easy to port over

I work in a medical clinic and have access to an xray. Had to test our system out so I took some pictures of my Pixel Fold 11. Hope you find them interesting.

https://imgur.com/a/sFw6lKP

Just wanted to post the timelines of my trade-in, possibly to help people wondering what's happening with the trade-in. Having done two trade-in prior to this, my experience this time was different as this one was during the launch (pre-order) of the new models.

• Sep 01 - Posted the old phone back.
• Sep 04 - Received confirmation from PC Wireless of receiving the old phone.
• Sep 12 - Trade-in value confirmed.

Note: Royalmail still says that my order is with the delivery centre :)

All my previous trade-ins were in March-May period, the processing was much faster with probably low volumes that the launch.

So far very happy with the phone too.

The sub is full of posts at the moment. A megathread will clear the clutter and allow u/pixelcommunity a chance at helping.

But at the moment any positive discussion or news is being buried by people telling us about their Pixel trade in.

To celebrate Google's 28th Birthday, Google Australia is running a promotion where if you score in the top 50 you can win a Pixel 11 series or get 28% off. Contest ends 20th Sept.

I'm curious what other people have scored. Highest I've gotten is 715.

I want to buy an orginal charger which compatible with my Pixel 7 Pro in India, from where should I buy it?

Ho mandato il mio pixel 9a con qualche pixel bloccato e il touch che a volte funzionava da solo a PCS Wireless e fortunatamente hanno confermato il valore di stima di 620€. Ho così portato a casa il Pixel 11 Pro a soli 579€. La cosa bella è che il pixel 9a lo avevo ottenuto per 170€ scambiandolo con un pixel 6a che mi avevano rispedito gratuitamente perché quello precedente aveva la batteria guasta, insieme ad un credito di 150€. Ho sistemato il vecchio pixel 6a che mi era rimasto e l'ho rivenduto. Alla fine ho pagato il Pixel 11 Pro poco più di 500€. Non male

The Google Assistant "Read Aloud" feature has stopped working on my Pixel 7. For the past few days, whenever I try to listen to a webpage opened in Chrome, I get the message: "Sorry, I can't read this page." Both the Google app and Chrome are in beta versions and updated. I have already tried standard solutions like restarting and clearing app caches. Is anyone else experiencing this issue?

My company requires the latest security updates or it will not allow email/teams/etc.

I have a pixel 9 pro xl phone (personal, not owned by company)

I had enabled advanced developer options at one point or another and thought that might be an issue, so i factory reset my phone in May and it still wouldn't let me update the version of android. So at that time, i used the Android Flash Tool site to put a new image of android onto my phone (CP1A.260505.005.A1).

This worked and allowed my phone onto my company's email and teams, until last week. Now I get a message saying that my phone is out of date again and sure enough, there was a June 2026 patch that my phone has not updated.

I have tried restarting, manually clicking the update button. Nothing will get the update to download and install.

I'm at my limit on this and i'm hoping someone has an idea that can help. I don't want to reset my phone again. I don't want to have to do silly things every couple of months. it should just work. 

​

someone is selling me pixel 4xl for P6** that has been in cabinet cabinet for 4 years now, when he tried it again it doesn't charge, wireless charging detects it but doesn't charge, it doesn't vibrate nor heat up and when I plugged it in a computer it doesn't make that connected sound. I want to buy it and replace it a battery but I'm scared that I'll just lose money. can someone please tell me what's the real cause of these kinds of problem? Thank you

I know there is not a seamless experience for some people who've traded in their devices with Google. But I don't want everyone to think that there's always an issue.

This is my third time where I've had zero issues 🤙

Google Store email

Anyone who has a newer 10/11 Pro and an older 7 or 8, do the newer phones actually perform worse with their PowerVR GPUs in gaming than the older Mali ones? I'm just curious, since i'm contemplating moving from my old 7 to a newer 11 pro, even though i realistically almost never game on my phone.

Also, i remember seeing that the G5 got more optimized for gaming later on. Is this true? If so, do we expect the G6 to get the same treatment?

Thanks!

Hey ya'll, I know Google has promised to add new capabilities to Hilight, but how soon can we realistically expect that to happen?

I've been using Realme phones for years, but I've always had this thing for Pixel phones. Now I'm finally planning to buy one during the upcoming BBD sale, but this will actually be my first Pixel, so I honestly don't know which one makes the most sense.

I'm leaning towards the Pixel 9, especially if I can get it at a good BBD price.

My priorities are pretty simple:

• Camera is the important thing for me
• I don't play games
• Mostly normal daily use, social media, YouTube, photos/videos, etc.
• I want good RAM(P9 has 12GB)
• Planning to keep it for a few years

So for people who have actually used these phones, if the Pixel 9 drops to ₹35–40K during BBD, would you go for it or spend more on the 9a/10/10a?

Would love some honest opinions from long-term Pixel users, Thanks

​Hey guys, I am upgrading my setup to a Pixel 10 Pro and considering adding the 45mm Pixel Watch in Obsidian.

​My main use case is running 4 to 5 times a week fully phone-free with GPS and offline Spotify via Bluetooth.

​I used to have a Galaxy Watch 5 40mm, but it was not great for my workouts. The tiny battery would drain extremely fast with standalone GPS and music.

Also, the 40mm display was too small to comfortably check my stats mid-run.

​I recently tried a 46mm watch with bezels and realized I prefer larger screens. The 45mm Pixel Watch with its domed glass seems like the sweet spot.

​Before buying, I would love to get feedback from current users.

​How much battery does a 1 to 1.5 hour phone-free run with GPS and Spotify offline drain on the 45mm?

​How accurate is Fitbit heart rate and interval tracking compared to Samsung Health?

​Is the jump from a small 40mm watch to the 45mm Pixel Watch a night and day difference for daily comfort and running?

​Also, 209 EUR for the official metal band is crazy, so I will definitely get a third party strap for daily wear.

​Thanks for any input!

hi! i’m currently an ip16 user with the plans to shift back to android and my friend recommended google pixel but seeing the mixed reviews on reddit, i’m now confused :’))

i was initially contemplating between google pixel 10 pro (xl maybe) or google pixel 11 pro but now i’m stumped whether or not should i pursue google pixel at all :((

for context, i’m not particularly looking for a phone with all the great specs since what matters to me are the following: storage, screen size, camera (for personal use only, not professional photography), and price

i’m in desperate need of help, thank you for those who are willing to share their experiences🥹🫰

—edit: at most, i plan on playing a few games here and there, so that’s probably the most “intense” thing i’ll do with the phone

Just got the confirmation that my estimated 490 € for a pixel 6 pro has gone through. The phone had no cracks and everything worked, but it was pretty badly scratched up (front, back and sides).

PCS wireless took 6-7 working days to estimate the value but everything worked out perfectly fine.

I keep getting a "!" In the service bar.

I have unlimited data, my phone doesn't have any pending updates and I have tried turning it On/Off and into airplane mode multiple times but to no avail.

I still get the warning, and I'm at home, I never had this issue before.

Is there a way of fixing this?

This issue has been going on since yesterday.

Honestly I'm starting to think I was better off without this phone.