Many Pixel 6 users recently reported that the Magic Eraser feature has mysteriously vanished, but Google has now assured that it is working on a fix to bring it back. Earlier this week, multiple complaints were spotted on Reddit and Twitter in which users complained about the feature inexplicably disappearing from their phone following a Google Photos update.
It soon became clear that the feature vanished due to a Google blunder as the company rolled out the wrong build of the Google Photos app with an update. The latest v5.67 build was available from third-party app repositories such as APKMirror and was also rolled out via Google Play stable update channel but was later pulled as the issue surfaced.
It appears that a fix is finally on the way for affected Pixel 6 users. Google told The Verge that it has identified an issue with the latest Google Photos update release and will be rolling out a fix shortly. However, it must be noted that the problem did not affect all Pixel 6 users and only removed the Magic Eraser feature on phones on which the v5.67 build of Google Photos was installed. Google eventually pulled the update from the Play Store, but it is still listed on third-party app stores like APKMirror. Needless to say, avoid downloading it. And if possible, always download apps and updates from the Google Play Store to prevent the risk of malware infection.
Quick Fix For A Blunder
For folks who are unaware, Magic Eraser is one of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro's highlight tricks, as it allows users to remove select elements from a picture — even those captured by a non-Pixel phone. All that needs to be done is circle or brush over the undesired stuff, and it will be gone in a few seconds as if it was never there. The feature relies on machine learning algorithms that use pixel prediction to decide what the image would look like without the selected element and then fills that space with the right colors. Of course, the results are not always perfect, especially in photos with complex objects or those captured in dim light. But in most scenarios, the outcome is pretty clean.
However, the Pixel 6 series' arrival in the market hasn't exactly been smooth. One major flaw that Pixel 6 owners have pointed out is that the phone's optical in-display fingerprint sensor is slower than expected. However, Google explained that the slow pace of authentication is because of the extra security features that the company has put in place. It was also recently discovered that the charging speed on the Pixel 6 and its Pro sibling is slower than what Google has initially advertised.
Source: The Verge