Foldable Phone Users Report Android Auto Outgoing Call Failures Linked to Gemini Integration

Engadget•Published: Oct 11, 2026 12:15 AM IST

Owners of foldable smartphones running Android Auto are experiencing frustrating bugs that prevent them from placing outgoing calls while their devices are closed. Affected users report receiving prompts to "flip open to continue" when attempting voice calls, though incoming calls continue to function normally. Both Google and Motorola are currently investigating the issue following widespread reports across Reddit and support forums.

Foldable Device Impact: Users report that closed foldable models, particularly Motorola Razr and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip devices, lose their outgoing calling capabilities.
Gemini AI Interference: Multiple affected users have linked the calling failures directly to the activation and use of Google Gemini.
Assistant Transition Hurdle: Reverting to the older Google Assistant previously fixed the bug, but Google's ongoing phase-out of the legacy assistant complicates workarounds.

The Context & Background

As Google pushes its AI integration deeper into everyday mobile ecosystems, early technical glitches are surfacing and disrupting core hardware functionality. Neither company has issued an official patch yet, forcing users to manually open their phones to make successful vehicle calls.

Why it matters:This bug highlights the growing friction of forcing deep AI integrations into hardware before software stability is fully achieved. As tech giants replace legacy systems like Google Assistant with AI models like Gemini, everyday mobile reliability risks taking a backseat to rapid feature rollouts.

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