How to Fix the Android Bug Blocking Your Phone Calls

We love to joke that no one uses their smartphone to actually make calls in 2021. And even if that’s kind of true, we obviously need these devices to be able make and take calls. When that functionality is thrown into jeopardy, our phones start to be a lot less reliable and a lot more frustrating. That’s why it’s so concerning that there’s a new bug blocking phone calls on Android devices.

As reported by Bleeping Computer, there now exists a Google app bug that can stop certain Android devices from both placing and receiving phone calls. The bug affects “the latest update to the Google Search app on Android,” according to a Google community manager, who did not confirm which version of the software contains the bug.

Consider this a reminder that while updating your software to the latest version is usually a good idea, you always need to be on the lookout for undiscovered bugs and instabilities. Now here’s how to fix this one.

How to fix the phone call bug on Android

Luckily, the fix exists and it’s pretty simple: Google has issued an update to its self-named app patching the call bug. All you need to do to ensure you can make and receive calls is to install the update. (If you have automatic updates enabled, it’s likely you have already done so.) To check if your app is fully up to date, follow these steps:

1. Open the Play Store, then search for the Google app.
2. If you see an Update button, tap it. If the button says Open, you’re fully updated.

Which Android phones does this bug affect?

That said, you might not need to sweat this issue much if you own a smartphone made by anyone but LG. Google did not confirm which Android devices were affected by the bug (frustrating, yes), but user complaints largely stem from those with LG phones, including the LG G7, G7 ThinQ, LG V40 ThinQ, and LG Q70. Some users even resorted to uninstalling the Google app altogether to resolve their issues.

Until Google releases an official list of affected smartphones, anecdotal evidence is the best we can work with. And no matter which phone you have, you should update your Google app to ensure all your calls are getting through.