Ambient Display Not Working

[Stack697]

Coming from the Droid Turbo, the active display is the only thing I miss & am debating whether it's a deal breaker with the Pixel.

The Pixel's ambient display does give me almost the same notification info as the Droid - If only we could get it to pulse intermittently after that initial few seconds, or maybe a nudge, or tap to wake - something.

 

[hal1]

If only we could get it to pulse intermittently after that initial few seconds, or maybe a nudge, or tap to wake - something.

Try the Gravity app.

 

[maizhaoiv]

If I remember correctly, the Ambient Display option was at Settings>Display, wasn't it?

 

[robertopod1968]

After 4 hours of use, I have made my decision. Going back to my original Moto X. It is the perfect phone for me. Perfect size, plus moto display, which is BY FAR, my favorite feature of any phone ever. Will sell my slightly used Pixel on swappa for a slight markup. Supply and demand.

NOBODY does active display like Moto. If they could only do an awesome camera. There's just always trade offs with every phone. Moto display is for sure awesome. Moto x is a great phone.

 

[dov1978]

NOBODY does active display like Moto. If they could only do an awesome camera. There's just always trade offs with every phone. Moto display is for sure awesome. Moto x is a great phone.

I'd take Always on Display over Ambient or Moto Display any day. In fact it's the one feature holding me back from trading my s7 for the Pixel XL

 

[wickets]

Totally agree... this is horrible

 

[anon(464338)]

Mine is working but it only pops up once? Also the notification light is very slow as in every 5 seconds. I'd like it to blink more often

 

[wickets]

Mine is working but it only pops up once? Also the notification light is very slow as in every 5 seconds. I'd like it to blink more often

So if your screen is off and phone sitting on a desk.... If you lift it off the table you can see notifications etc?

The incoming notification displays on arrival buy after that you have to press the power button to see anything.

 

[NexusShark]

Is anybody having issues with Ambient Display? My screen remains blank for notifications and screen stays dark when I pick it up. Ambient Display is on in screen settings and notifications are set to show all.

I think I figured out the issue with ambient display not working. When I set up the phone I did not want a pin or fingerprint scanner to unlock. I've always kept my phone unlocked. When doing this I turned off the pin on the lock screen to "none". This turned off my lock screen entirely which in fact caused ambient to not function. I went back in and turned the lock screen to "swipe" and now it's working as intended. Hope this helps with the hiccup. Just wasn't realizing what I did was frustrating lol.

 

[Kodiak17]

I think I figured out the issue with ambient display not working. When I set up the phone I did not want a pin or fingerprint scanner to unlock. I've always kept my phone unlocked. When doing this I turned off the pin on the lock screen to "none". This turned off my lock screen entirely which in fact caused ambient to not function. I went back in and turned the lock screen to "swipe" and now it's working as intended. Hope this helps with the hiccup. Just wasn't realizing what I did was frustrating lol.

Is it working after the initial notification though? Mine doesnt do squat if I lift it or swipe down or swipe the fingerprint sensor. Requires me to either hit power button to see notification area (pain when it's in car mount) or fingerprint sensor to unlock (impossible when in car mount). Afraid this "feature" may be a return of the pixel and I'll get the Moto z force instead...I have called Google support to try and verify if this is the intended function. Tech support didn't think so but had no answer to change it...awaiting a call back from higher level tech on monday.

 

[hal1]

Mine is working but it only pops up once? Also the notification light is very slow as in every 5 seconds. I'd like it to blink more often

I'd be happy to have your problem. Mine only flashes once initially then goes dark. At least I don't think it comes back on, I'll have to look closer. What settings do you have?

 

[NexusShark]

Is it working after the initial notification though? Mine doesnt do squat if I lift it or swipe down or swipe the fingerprint sensor. Requires me to either hit power button to see notification area (pain when it's in car mount) or fingerprint sensor to unlock (impossible when in car mount). Afraid this "feature" may be a return of the pixel and I'll get the Moto z force instead...I have called Google support to try and verify if this is the intended function. Tech support didn't think so but had no answer to change it...awaiting a call back from higher level tech on monday.

It just flashes once and then the LED blinks once the screen goes dark. I believe that is how it's supposed to function. I was spoiled to by the Moto active notifications and already have tried waving my hand to view the time lol. But I'll learn to live with it because there are too many other positives about the pixel xl

 

[TWISM]

I use light flow. You can use it to either turn on the led any color you want or turn on the screen or both. It's a nice app.

 

[craigrn16]

I can confirm, My ambient display does not come on when I pick up my phone as it did when I had my Nexus 6P. This is disappointing. I' hoping Google fixes this with a simple update.

 

[eaccentsac]

I can confirm, My ambient display does not come on when I pick up my phone as it did when I had my Nexus 6P. This is disappointing. I' hoping Google fixes this with a simple update.

Ditto. Love this feature with the 5X as I don't have to actually pick up the phone--just tip is slightly for a peek.

 

[SUPERDAVE42]

I was reading on XDA that someone contacted tech support they said it was an engineering problem that they are working on. Hopefully it's a software fix.

I loved my Moto display, then I learned to like the Nexus 6 ambient display which was not as cool as Moto display, then this Pixel.... is ridiculous. it's the only issue I think I have with it though.

 

[FULLM3T8L]

So was sitting here and realized the ambient display on my XL wouldn't turn on when I picked it up like my 6P had. Wasn't sure if it was an actual issue or a feature Google removed, so I called support and was told on the XL they just tested the ambient display did come on after picking it up. Their solution was to do a factory reset. Well after arriving here I have come to the conclusion that support has no clue what their talking about and the ambient display feature has changed. Quite a disappointment, I miss my 6P more than ever Hopefully and update can improve this, but one never came for the 6P so I won't hold my breathe...

 

[French]

There are some other third party apps in the Play Store that might be an interim solution (my fingers are crossed for you all that they will fix this in a future update).

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ls?id=com.tomer.alwayson&hl=en&token=emopx4Nn

 

[chriscam85]

This is too funny. I also switched from the Moto X to the Pixel, and am already missing 2 things. #1 the size, #2 the ambient display which is MOTION ACTIVATED!!! I tried about 6 different apps trying to replicate it. Gravity Screen can help with the motion activation, but I couldn't get it to work perfectly with another notification app. If anyone figures this out, please let us all know, so we don't have to return our Pixels.

 

[chriscam85]

Found an almost acceptable solution!
There's an App called "KinScreen" which allows you to turn on the screen with a movement above the screen. In combination with the default notifications (need at least swipe screen for security setting).