Android 16 Preps ‘robust Open/close Detection’ For Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Foldables make use of hall (effect) sensors to determine the open or closed state. To prevent interference from magnetic accessories, the Pixel Fold might add “robust open/close detection” with Android 16.

With Android 16 Beta 2, we’ve received one report of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold prompting a user to “Turn on robust open/close detection: If you’re using a magnetic accessory, turn on robust open/close detection in Settings. This helps your Pixel Fold more accurately detect if it’s open or closed.”

This notification from Pixel System Service features a “Turn on” button, and suggests that you’ll find a corresponding toggle in the Settings app. However, as of Beta 2, that preference does not yet appear. (This is somewhat similar to the initial rollout of Limit to 80% charging optimization.)

To date, Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold owners have noticed how putting a magnet, like third-party MagSafe rings, on the back of the closed foldable can briefly turn off the screen. This is due to how foldables leverage an internal magnet and hall sensor to determine the open/close state. Accessories can interfere with that functionality.

Google looks to be readying a solution with “robust open/close detection.” It’s not clear what other hardware will be leveraged to reduce interference and false positives. This will hopefully also come to the original Pixel Fold.

Leave a comment below if you’ve gotten this notification and enabled the new setting.