Telegram

APPS LIKE QUICK SHARE AND PICSART BARELY FUNCTION ON MY PIXEL 7 AFTER THE DECEMBER

Resolving App Functionality Issues on Pixel 7 After the December Update

We understand the frustration users experience when a critical system update disrupts the seamless operation of essential applications. The December update for the Google Pixel 7, while intended to introduce security patches and performance enhancements, has unfortunately introduced instability for specific users. Reports indicate that applications such as Quick Share and PicsArt are lagging, crashing, or failing to initialize correctly. As a dedicated support platform for the Android community, we have analyzed this issue extensively. This guide provides comprehensive, advanced troubleshooting methods to restore full functionality to your device without resorting to a factory reset or reverting to a previous system image.

Understanding the Root Cause of the December Update Instability

Before applying fixes, it is essential to understand why these specific applications are failing. The interaction between the Android OS and third-party apps is complex, involving the ART (Android Runtime), the Linux Kernel, and specific hardware acceleration layers.

The Role of ART and Cached Compilations

Android utilizes Ahead-of-Time (AOT) and Just-in-Time (JIT) compilation to optimize app performance. When a major update is installed, the existing compiled code (.vdex and .odex files) can become misaligned with the new system libraries. For resource-intensive apps like PicsArt, which rely heavily on image processing libraries, this misalignment often results in runtime errors or immediate crashes.

Hardware Acceleration and GPU Drivers

The Pixel 7 features the Google Tensor G2 processor. System updates frequently include updates to the GPU drivers (Mali or Samsung-specific implementations). If an app like Quick Share relies on specific GPU contexts for rendering the sharing UI or for hardware-accelerated file transfers, a mismatch between the updated driver and the app’s API calls can cause freezing or failure to launch.

Scoped Storage Permissions

Android 13 and 14 have tightened Scoped Storage regulations. The December update may have further restricted background access to external storage. If PicsArt cannot access the necessary media directories due to updated permission enforcement, it may fail to load the gallery or save edits, appearing as if the app is barely functioning.

Immediate Software-Level Troubleshooting

We recommend starting with non-destructive software adjustments. These steps target the most common causes of post-update instability without altering user data or system partitions.

Clearing App Caches and Data

Corrupted cache data is the most common culprit after an OS update. The cache stores temporary files that may reference old system paths no longer valid after the December update.

  1. Navigate to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
  2. Locate Quick Share (or Files by Google if Quick Share is integrated) and PicsArt.
  3. Tap Storage & Cache.
  4. Select Clear Cache. This removes temporary files without affecting personal data.
  5. If the issue persists, return to the same menu and tap Clear Storage (or Clear Data).

Note: Clearing storage for PicsArt will log you out and reset preferences, but it forces the app to rebuild its internal database, often resolving corruption issues.

Force Stop and Disable Play Services

Google Play Services acts as a bridge between the OS and apps. An update conflict here can cripple dependent apps.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Services.
  2. Tap Force Stop.
  3. Restart the device.
  4. Check if the applications function correctly.

Checking Background Restrictions

The December update may have aggressively optimized battery life, killing processes deemed unnecessary.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > [Problem App].
  2. Tap Battery.
  3. Ensure the setting is Unrestricted. This prevents the OS from putting the app to sleep immediately, which is crucial for Quick Share’s discovery protocols.

Advanced System Adjustments via ADB

For users comfortable with command-line tools, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) offers powerful fixes that do not require root access but allow for deeper system interaction. These commands can reset app permissions and clear system caches that are inaccessible via the GUI.

Granting All Permissions via ADB

Sometimes, an update resets granular permissions. You can force-grant them back.

  1. Enable Developer Options on your Pixel 7 (tap Build Number 7 times).
  2. Enable USB Debugging.
  3. Connect your phone to a PC with ADB installed.
  4. Open a terminal and run the following commands:
adb shell pm grant com.google.android.apps.photos android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
adb shell pm grant com.google.android.apps.photos android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
adb shell pm grant com.google.android.apps.quicksearchbox android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW

(Note: Adjust package names to match the exact identifiers of Quick Share and PicsArt on your device).

Wiping Cache Partition via Recovery Mode

While Android 13/14 limits access to the system cache partition, the Recovery Mode still allows for wiping temporary system logs that can cause boot loops or app crashes.

  1. Power off the Pixel 7.
  2. Hold Power + Volume Down to enter the bootloader.
  3. Use volume keys to navigate to Recovery Mode and select with the Power button.
  4. When the Android robot appears with an exclamation mark, hold Power and tap Volume Up.
  5. Select Wipe Cache Partition. This does not delete user data.

Troubleshooting Quick Share Specifically

Quick Share is a proprietary Samsung and Google technology that relies heavily on Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth. The December update may have altered the underlying connectivity stack.

Reset Network Settings

If Quick Share fails to detect nearby devices, the update may have corrupted the Wi-Fi Direct configuration.

  1. Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
  2. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
  3. Re-pair your devices and attempt the transfer again.

Update Google Play Services

Quick Share is deeply integrated with Google Play Services. Ensure you have the latest version by checking the Play Store for updates. If the beta channel is active, consider leaving the beta, as the December update may conflict with beta versions of Play Services.

Clearing the Nearby Share Cache

Nearby Share (the backend for Quick Share) stores device visibility settings. If the cache is corrupt, the sharing sheet may hang.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Nearby Share (or Device Connectivity).
  2. Clear Cache and Data.

Troubleshooting PicsArt Specifically

PicsArt is a heavy application that utilizes multiple libraries for photo processing. Post-update crashes are often linked to the Native Development Kit (NDK) or RenderScript.

Disable Hardware Acceleration (Developer Options)

If PicsArt crashes when applying filters, the GPU renderer might be the issue.

  1. Enable Developer Options.
  2. Scroll down to the Hardware Accelerated Rendering section.
  3. Enable Disable HW Overlays. This forces the CPU to handle more rendering, which can bypass GPU driver bugs introduced by the update.
  4. Warning: This may slightly increase battery usage but can stabilize graphics-intensive apps.

Granting Special Access Permissions

PicsArt requires specific permissions to function correctly, such as Modify System Settings (for wallpapers) or Usage Access (for analytics).

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Special app access.
  2. Ensure PicsArt has access to Modify system settings and Install unknown apps (if side-loading plugins).

Checking for In-App Updates

Sometimes the December update changes API behavior that requires a patch from the app developer. Ensure you are running the absolute latest version of PicsArt from the Google Play Store. Developers often push hotfixes specifically to address OS compatibility issues.

Using Magisk Modules for Advanced Remediation

At Magisk Modules, we specialize in providing tools for users who wish to enhance their Android experience without the risks of a full reset. While we do not recommend rooting solely for app fixes, users with an unlocked bootloader can utilize specific modules to patch system-level inconsistencies caused by the update.

Module: Universal GMS Doze

If the December update is aggressively killing Quick Share or PicsArt in the background, the Universal GMS Doze module (available in the Magisk Module Repository) can optimize battery optimization for specific apps. This module allows you to whitelist apps from Doze mode more effectively than standard Android settings.

Module: Systemless Hosts Module

If network issues are preventing Quick Share from functioning (specifically the handshake with Google servers), the Systemless Hosts Module can restore proper network filtering capabilities, ensuring that the system’s hosts file is not blocking Google connectivity services required for device discovery.

Module: Play Integrity Fix

In rare cases, the December update may trigger Play Integrity checks that fail, causing apps like Quick Share to malfunction due to perceived security risks. Modules designed to fix Play Integrity (by spoofing device fingerprints) can restore proper API communication, though this is strictly for advanced users.

Note: Always back up your device before installing any modules from the Magisk Module Repository. These modules are community-supported and can provide granular control over system behaviors that standard updates modify.

Targeting Specific OS Features

The Media Provider and .nomedia Files

The December update updates the Media Provider database. If PicsArt cannot see images, it is often because the database has not scanned the folders correctly. You can force a rescan using a file manager.

  1. Open a file manager (like Solid Explorer or Mixplorer).
  2. Navigate to the folder containing images.
  3. Create a new file named .nomedia.
  4. Delete the file immediately.
  5. This forces the Media Provider to re-index the directory, often making images visible to PicsArt again.

Developer Options: Running Services

To identify if a background service is conflicting:

  1. Go to Developer Options > Running Services.
  2. Look for Google Play Services, Media Storage, and the specific apps (PicsArt/Quick Share).
  3. If you see high memory usage or constant restarting, this indicates a conflict. Uninstalling updates to Google Play Services (via Settings > Apps > Google Play Services > Three dots menu > Uninstall updates) can revert it to a stable version compatible with your apps.

Monitoring for Future Patches

Software stability is a moving target. Google frequently addresses bugs in subsequent incremental updates.

Participate in Android Beta Program

If the stable December update is broken, joining the Android Beta Program might offer a fix. Often, the beta build for the next month includes patches for regression bugs introduced in the previous stable update. You can enroll via the Android Beta for Pixel website. This updates the system OTA without wiping data, unlike a manual flash.

Feedback and Reporting

We encourage users to submit detailed bug reports directly to Google and the app developers.

  1. Use the Send Feedback option in Settings on your Pixel 7.
  2. Include logs (if prompted) and detailed steps on how Quick Share or PicsArt fails.
  3. For PicsArt, contact their support via the in-app help center.

Conclusion

The December update on the Pixel 7 has introduced specific compatibility challenges for Quick Share and PicsArt, primarily rooted in ART compilation mismatches, GPU driver conflicts, and aggressive battery optimization. While a factory reset is often suggested as a catch-all solution, it is disruptive and unnecessary for most software-related glitches.

By systematically clearing caches, leveraging ADB for permission management, optimizing hardware acceleration settings, and utilizing tools available in the Magisk Module Repository, we can often restore full application functionality. We recommend proceeding through these steps in the order presented, starting with the least invasive methods. Should these methods not resolve the issue, waiting for the next incremental OTA update (likely the January security patch) or enrolling in the Beta program remains the most effective, non-destructive resolution.

You also may like 〣〣
Explore More
Redirecting in 20 seconds...