Android 14, the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system, has been plagued by a severe user-profile data bug, causing users to be locked out of their devices.
Earlier reports say that the Android 14’s User-Profile Data Bug was limited to the Pixel 6 version, but now every device upgrading to Android 14 is affected by it.
The bug mainly affects the users who utilize the “multiple profiles” feature, which allows them to create separate work & personal profiles on their devices.
When the bug occurs, the primary profile on the device becomes locked out.
Users cannot access the device’s storage, including their apps, photos, files, and other data.
The bug is like ransomware, preventing users from accessing their data until it gets fixed.
However, it is essential to note that the bug is not ransomware, as a malicious actor does not cause it.
Google has acknowledged it & is working on a fix, but it is still unclear when it will be available.
In the meantime, the affected users can switch to their secondary profile if they have one.
If they do not have a secondary profile, they must wait for the fix before re-accessing their data.
Several users have reported that their phones are automatically performing a factory reset, deleting all the data, and closing down all the possibilities for data recovery.
Google issue tracker is filled up with replies related to this, but there has yet to be a response from Google. Some users have posted log files stating they failed to open their directories and access data.
Besides, the camera app also claims to run out of storage and does not allow you to take screenshots.
The file manager lists 0 bytes for the files and folders, which are not viewable from PCs either. The system is also reported to crash along with that!