How to Fix Pixel Launcher Has Stopped Error Caused by December Update

December security updates start rolling out for Google Pixel and Pixel XL series smartphones. Apart from the December security patch, the new firmware also improves performance and optimizes the system stability. However, some Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 owners are reporting Pixel launcher crash on their device after installing the firmware

If you are getting the ‘Pixel launcher has stopped’ error message on your device after the December update, here is a workaround to fix it. You can try the two methods given below to fix the Pixel launcher crash. While the first one is simple, the latter requires some technical expertise.

First method:

1. Open the Play Store app on your device (if you can’t open the app, follow the second method)
2. Search for Pixel Launcher and tap Uninstall.
3. It will uninstall the update and return the Pixel Launcher to the default state.

Second method:

If you cannot open the Play Store app on your device, then try this method on your Pixel 2/Pixel 3. It requires ADB and fastboot driver setup on your PC.

1. Download an older version of Pixel launcher from APK Mirror, and rename it to ‘pixellauncher.apk‘.
2. Enable USB Debugging on your device by going to the Developer Options menu.
3. Connect your device to PC, and on your phone accept the USB debugging connection confirmation.
4. Tap on “you’re connected to the computer” notification to open its settings.
5. Select Files transfer/Android Auto as Data Transfer method
6. On your computer, open ADB, and type command: adb install -d -r pixellauncher.apk
   [Mac/Linux users use ./adb instead of adb]
7. Hit Enter, and wait for the installation finishes.

If you are still experiencing an occasional launcher crash, try the first method. [Source – Reddit]