Instability is normally a given for beta software, and the first public beta of Android 16 is no different. It was rolled out over the weekend, and users have complained of app navigation glitches, visual inconsistencies, and app crashes across the board, including Google Home being one of the most commonly affected apps. The problem seems to be affecting Files by Google (also called Google Files), specifically opening PDF files.
PDFs Are Crashing the Google Files App
Several users have complained that they cannot open a PDF through the Files app without crashing immediately, not even showing a preview. We have confirmed this issue on a Pixel 8 running Android 16 Beta 1 with Files by Google versions 1.6131.717750442.1-release and 1.6294.719811006.0-release. The bug does not seem to affect devices running Android 15.
The Google Drive app and even third-party PDF readers work normally, but the crash means that Google’s own file management app for Android is no longer reliable for working on PDFs on Android 16 Beta.
Users Report the Issue, but No Fix Yet
Beta testers with a taste for frustration have vented their frustrations on Reddit and Google’s IssueTracker to report the issue. It is not an isolated problem.
Users have found a temporary fix by clearing the app’s cache and storage. It allows PDFs to open for one session. The fix only works when the app is closed and reopened, so it is temporary.
The problem is known to Google. A Google engineer acknowledged the reports on January 24, stating:
We appreciate your report of this problem. It is something we have shared with our product and engineering team, and will update this issue with more information.
There is no fix for this problem, and users will have to wait for a future update that will fix the crashing issue entirely.
What Should You Do?
If you are running Android 16 Beta 1 and rely on Google Files for handling PDFs, you may want to:
- ✅ Use Google Drive or a third-party PDF reader instead of opening PDFs directly from the Files app.
- ✅ A quick (per session) solution to clear cache and storage.
- ✅ Subscribe to Google’s IssueTracker for news about an official fix.
The problem illustrates why installing beta software on your primary device is never safe. PDF viewing on Android 16 Beta using Files by Google is currently unreliable until Google patches the bug.
Ethan Cole is a tech aficionado dedicated to exploring the latest innovations and gadgets, providing reviews and insights to keep you updated in the tech world.
