This Android Auto issue affects calls on foldable phones

Foldable phone owners are reportedly facing issues when trying to make outgoing calls using Android Auto. Posts on Reddit, as well as Google and Motorola forums, describe various foldable phones losing their ability to make calls when closed, as first reported Android Authority. And Gemini could play a role in the calling dilemma.

Users say that when their phone is closed and they ask them to call someone, the call does not go through. A poster on Reddit said they were receiving a message asking them to “open to continue.” Incoming calls seem to go through fine. Several posters report that the problem only started after they started using Gemini.

Although there is no confirmation yet on the possible cause of the bug, Google and Motorola appear to be investigating. Responses on the forums show that company representatives are collecting information about incidents.

So far, most articles mention the Motorola Razr Ultra (specifically the 60 and 70 models) with Android 16 installed. An April post mentioned issues with a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and also noted that there were no calling issues until the poster started using Gemini. Android 16 began rolling out in June 2025 with updates like over-the-air notification updates, camera improvements, and scam detection features.

In that same Reddit post from about three months ago, a user said they needed to switch back from Gemini to Google Assistant. After that, they were able to make outgoing calls again while the foldable was closed. While this may seem like a fairly simple solution, as of last month Google has removed Google Assistant from phones, tablets, and other devices. The transition began on September 4, 2026, but only for phones with the minimum requirements to run the AI ​​service.

Google and Motorola have yet to release official fixes, and while foldable phone owners have detailed their efforts to resolve the issue, there doesn’t yet appear to be a solution outside of making calls with the phones open.

Gemini’s increased presence in Google’s ecosystem reflects the broader push to integrate AI tools into everyday life. While some are embracing the myriad of AI tools popping up every moment, others are less convinced, especially in these early days when bugs can spiral out of control. For some, like a few of these threads, the answer is to turn to apps and products that don’t use AI — or that at least offer a way to turn it off.