Android Auto Calling Bug Affects Closed Foldable Phones
Foldable phone owners are encountering a frustrating Android Auto bug that prevents them from making outgoing calls while their devices are closed.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
The Foldable Phone Calling Bug
Owners of foldable phones are facing a peculiar and frustrating issue when attempting to place outgoing calls via Android Auto. According to reports highlighted by Android Authority, users on Reddit, Google forums, and Motorola boards have described a bug where their devices lose the ability to make calls when the phone is closed.
When users instruct their closed devices to call someone, the connection fails. A Reddit poster noted receiving a specific prompt telling them to "flip open to continue." Interestingly, incoming calls appear to connect and come through without any disruptions.
Possible Connection to Gemini
Several users reporting the bug have pointed out that the issue seemed to begin shortly after they started using Gemini. The AI assistant's presence across the ecosystem has introduced new workflows, but it may also be contributing to this calling quandary on foldable form factors.
While investigating the problem, company representatives on forums have been actively collecting information from affected users. Discussion threads spanning Google and Motorola channels highlight how widespread the reports have become among owners of specific hardware configurations.
Affected Devices and Software Versions
Most of the documented posts mention the Motorola Razr Ultra, specifically referencing the 60 and 70 models running Android 16. Additional reports from earlier in the year pointed toward similar challenges with devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, with users again noting that calling issues arose alongside their transition to Gemini.
Android 16 originally began rolling out with features like live notification updates, camera improvements, and built-in scam detection capabilities, but bugs affecting specific hardware form factors have continued to surface in everyday driving scenarios.
Workarounds and the Assistant Transition
Earlier in the year, some users found temporary relief by switching back from Gemini to Google Assistant. Doing so reportedly restored their ability to place outgoing calls while the foldable device remained closed.
However, that specific workaround has grown more complicated. Google has since pulled Google Assistant from phones, tablets, and other devices, initiating a transition that began on September 4, 2026, for eligible devices meeting the minimum requirements for the newer AI service.
Current Status and Ecosystem Impact
As of now, neither Google nor Motorola has issued an official fix for the foldable calling bug. While users have shared various troubleshooting steps, the only reliable way to execute a call while using Android Auto is to physically open the phone.
This situation underscores the broader industry push to integrate artificial intelligence tools into daily workflows. While many users embrace the expanding suite of AI features, early-stage bugs continue to frustrate consumers, prompting some to seek alternatives or products that offer options to disable AI integrations entirely.
Sources
- EngadgetThis Android Auto problem is affecting calls on foldable phones
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