Bug affecting outgoing calls on foldable phones when using Android Auto appears linked to Gemini AI, with Google and Motorola investigating.
Foldable Android Auto users report outgoing calls fail when the phone is closed. The issue is linked to Gemini AI and is under investigation by Google and Motorola. Some users have tried switching away from Gemini to Google Assistant, but a universal fix isn’t available yet. The practical short-term workaround is to keep the phone open during calls.
What this means for you: if you own a foldable phone, expect potential hiccups with hands-free calls in the car while Gemini features are active. No fix date announced yet, but reports and data collection are ongoing.
You can help by sending feedback when you see calls fail, and watching for software updates that address AI-related edge cases.
A bug affecting outgoing calls for foldable phones on Android Auto is drawing attention this week, with users reporting that calls fail when the device is closed. The problem is most visible on certain Motorola Razr Ultra models running Android 16, and it appears after Gemini AI features were introduced into the ecosystem. At this point, Google and Motorola say they are investigating the issue and gathering user details to pinpoint a fix.
Several user reports describe calling attempts that end with a prompt to flip the phone open to continue, while incoming calls ring normally. The issue seems tied to the moment a foldable phone transitions from a closed state to an active call, and it crops up only when Android Auto is in use. While some users have temporarily switched away from Gemini to Google Assistant, that option is not universally available, and Google began phasing out Google Assistant on devices with certain capabilities in September 2026.
The exact cause remains unconfirmed, but the pattern points to the AI layer playing a role in the car interface, either in how calls are routed or how the phone hands off state between closed and open is managed. Google and Motorola representatives have requested more information from affected users to reproduce and diagnose the bug in a controlled environment.
Gemini is Google’s latest wave of AI features designed to help with tasks, reminders, and smart responses. In foldables, Gemini can sometimes run in the background to handle on-device reasoning and voice prompts. When a phone is closed, the system has to route a command differently than when it’s open, and that split-second change may be causing call setup to stall on Android Auto.
Most discussions center on the Motorola Razr Ultra family with Android 16 installed. There were mentions of other foldables in forums, but concrete, official lists of affected models have not been published yet.
If you rely on Android Auto on a foldable phone, this could mean you can’t place outgoing calls when your device is folded. The practical workaround right now is to keep the phone open during calls, or avoid using Gemini-enabled features in the car until a fix lands. It’s a reminder that AI features, while convenient, can introduce new edge cases in everyday tasks like hands-free calling.
Google and Motorola are collecting bug reports and attempting to reproduce the issue in lab settings. A public fix timeline hasn’t been shared yet. If you’re affected, file a bug report and update your device if a newer ROM or software patch becomes available.
The issue appears connected to Gemini AI features on foldables, particularly when a phone is closed and trying to place an outgoing call via Android Auto. Official cause not confirmed yet.
There is no published timeline. Google and Motorola are investigating and collecting data from users to understand and fix the bug.
You're reading the quick version.
A wave of AI helpers now live inside text chats, letting you schedule, plan trips, and manage tasks without opening a separate app.
A clearer look at RAM and ROM, why your phone and laptop use both, and what that means for your everyday tech
A new wave of Lego sets in 2026 mixes digital play, smart lighting, and tied‑in video games, perfect for curious builders.
The Daily Brief
Every morning, the news that matters from AI, phones, apps and the people shaping tech. Explained in plain English. Free.
One email a day. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy
