The DROID Bionic is one heck of a flagship device, but it’s not without its faults. Early adopters have been complaining about a litany of issues large and small, and Verizon has apparently been listening. They’ve detailed all of the bugs and glitches in a massive official list, but the carrier says that customers will have to wait until November for a patch.


Among the bugs are some real doozies, like the promised 8-device mobile hotspot being mysteriously limited to only 5, and an inability to reconnect to the 3G network. Some bugs can be helped by a little user elbow grease (have you tried turning off and on again?) but most are simply going to be there until the patch comes. Some of the more frustrating issues, like the Bionic only charging via official Motorola-brand cables and chargers, are swept away as design decisions. For example, the popular Exchange client Touchdown is marked as “No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless” – what gives?

Here’s the full list for your perusal.

Issue:  4G/3G Service – Data Connectivity

  • Marginal 4G to 3G transition:  Loss of data connectivity – The device may display 3G service indication but no data connections are possible.
  • Action: The user will need to power cycle the device or enable/disable Airplane Mode.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  High Pitch Headset Noise:

  • A customer may experience high pitched “screetches” while using high end wired headsets.
  • Action: There is no known work around.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Mobile Hotspot User Limitations:

  • The Mobile Hotspot only supports 5 users.
  • Action: There is no known work around.
  • Resolution: This is a limitation of the device hardware and cannot be corrected.

Issue:  Non-branded Chargers:

  • The XT875 can only be charged with Motorola or Verizon Wireless branded chargers.
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.

Issue:  USB Cables:

  • The XT875 can only be used with Motorola USB cables.
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.

Issue:  Google Talk Video Calls:

  • Google Video Talk sessions can be established faster if you start a text chat session first.
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.

Issue:  Touchdown Compatibility:

  • Nitrodesk’s Touchdown will not function on the XT875.
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.

Issue:  Lapdock low memory warning:

  • With 4 or more windows opened, a user may see low memory warnings.
  • Action: The user can terminate browser sessions and/or stop running applications (Tasks application in System Tray).
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the second post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is under review.

9.  Issue:  Mobile Hotspot Security Modes:

  • Mobile Hotspot does not support WEP or WPA Wi-Fi protocols. Only WPA2 is supported .
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.

Issue:  Home Panel Application Shortcuts:

  • Application shortcuts may be removed from the Home Panel without any user interaction.
  • Action: The User can go in System Tray and manually add them back in Home Panels. The applications are not deleted from the device.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the second post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is under review.

Issue:  MMS Media Message View:

  • The user may encounter “Force Close” errors or delays when opening MMS messages with media attachments.
  • Action: The user may need to make more than one attempt to view the message.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Recent Applications Display:

  • If a user presses and holds the Home key, recently run applications are displayed. Selecting an application may generate an error message “Application not installed on phone.”
  • Action: Access the application from the System Tray.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  3 Way Calling – Ending Last Call:

  • In certain infrastructure markets (Motorola and Nortel), pressing the “End last call” button will place the last party on hold and not drop the call.
  • Action: User should use the “End call” button to insure all parties are disconnected.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  MEID Displayed:

  • Under Settings > About Phone > Status, the 14 digit MEID is displayed rather than the 15 digit IMEI.
  • Action: This information is available on the battery cavity label.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Verizon Wireless Media Store Ringtones:

  • Ringtones purchased through online store cannot be saved when received in an MMS message. User will get an “error saving attachment” error.
  • Action: The user should use the VCast Tone application to purchase ringtones.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Post OTA Update – Favorites:

  • The Favorites contacts may be deleted after a software update. The user will need to manually add the Favorites back.
  • Action: There is no known work around.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  SIM Swapping Blocks OTA Updates:

  • In another provisioned SIM is inserted into the XT875 and original SIM is reinserted, the device will not get any OTA updates.
  • Action: The user will need to perform a factory reset to get OTA updates.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Answering incoming calls while in the Lapdock:

  • A user may not be able to answer an incoming call while the XT875 is in the Lapdock.
  • Action: This issue can be reduced if the call is answered during the first ring cycle.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the second post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is under review.

Issue:  Camera use while in Lapdock:

  • If the XT875 is in the Lapdock and the user opens the Camera, they may receive a “Camera is unable to initialize” error message.
  • Action: There is no known work around.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the second post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is under review.

Issue:  NFL Mobile – Lapdock Videos:

  • NFL Mobile videos will not be displayed while the Bionic is in the Lapdock.
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: This is a limitation of DRM protection.

Issue:  Sleep Mode After HD Dock Use:

  • If the XT875 is removed from the HD Dock, the device may not go back into screen saver mode.
  • Action: Go to Settings > Applications > Development and uncheck “Stay awake” option.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Resets during Visual Voicemail:

  • User may encounter resets while playing back voice messages or replying with voice messages.
  • Action: There is no known work around.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Visual Voicemail Power-up Message:

  • When the XT875 is powered up the user may see “Data service N/A. Select to refresh” as a Visual Voicemail activities alert in the Notification Panel.
  • Action: This is a false error message. It can be dismissed from the Notification Panel.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Message Thread Order – Device Rotation:

  • If the XT875 is rotated from portrait to landscape then back to portrait mode after a message sent, the message thread jumps from the latest to the oldest message.
  • Action: There is no known around.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

We’ve had a lot of input from Bionic owners on both sides of the fence – some report multiple major problems, while others say their phones work just fine. If you’re having so much difficulty that you can’t use your DROID Bionic effectively, remember that Verizon has a 30-day 14-day refund policy (minus a restock fee).

[device id=1476]

32 COMMENTS

  1. Wow. Can’t believe how many times I saw, “No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.” Not allowed to use non-branded chargers?? Reminds me of the RAZR on VZW… Some things never change I guess.

  6. This is a joke right? The one phone that took forever to bring to market has this much wrong with it… Plz tell me this is some kinda joke cause if it’s not Apple must be laughing their butts off and that’s something really can’t stand to see. The bonic is vzw’s flag ship phone , must be a joke.

    • Had mine for over two weeks, ZERO problems. I’m sure Apple products NEVER have any bugs on release. Oh, other than a poorly designed antenna that drops your calls continually. I mean, how could Steve (Don’t Rest In Peace) let something like THAT slide? Us Android users were laughing OUR butts off for weeks on that one. Too bad about Steve, especially that he didn’t finish designing and building his iCoffin in time.

      • You forgot to mention Apple is claiming the new 4S is faster than 4GLTE even though it’s just a 3G phone.  I was in an Apple store with a friend when I heard this, challenged them to demo it with SpeedTest vs the Droid Bionic and was told they couldn’t demo it on their phones…. LAME!

  7. This is not a recognized list from Motorola, this is a list of REPORTED issues to Verizon. I love the one where it says loading security software causes instability and the response is working as intended. Seriously do you think any company would say “oh ya loading that breaks our stuff and that is how we designed it?”

    This is just a bitch list Verizon has collected, many items are issues but a good deal read like user stupidity issues to me as well.

  9. The problem I have is if I am in a call and I have an incoming call I can’t get the screen to come on so that I can answer the call. I have to wait until the caller has hung up the check the missed call. What gives? On the X you simply pulled the phone away from your face and the screen comes on. HELP!!!

  10. I’ve had this just over 2 weeks.  No significant issues here.  Honestly I did expect connectivity issues when in a weak 4g area with switching to 3g.  That hasn’t happened much and when 4g recovers I’ve had no problems.  Oddly using the AIM app inside VZ’s IM widget drops connections but the downloaded AIM app from the Android Market it is very solid, stays connected.  FINALLY got the extended battery that was backordered.  It took a couple of days of using/recharging before it outperformed the original battery.  Was still at 50% after 18 hours.

  11. I’ve had mine a couple days and it has been mysteriously deleting apps on it’s own like crazy.  I have to reinstall all of them.  It even deleted one of it’s own pre-installed apps (ZumoCast)!!  That I don’t have a problem with tho lol.  I hope all the bloatware disappears.  Looks like I might have to return this phone…

  13. Had to return bionic allkinds of issues. Got another bionic.this one runs much better.but still not happy with connection issues. Any advice? Only few days left to make. Exchange.

  16. It is sooooooooooooo sad that a phone that took this long to come to market has this many important issues. Motorola should be liable as much as Verizon should be and refund part of the purchase price. Better yet, Verizon should let it’s customers exchange their Bionic at full purchase prices for one of their newer phones. I really wanted this Bionic but am so glad I didn’t jump in.

    Shame on you Motorola and Verizon for passing this crapola phone off on us.

  17. When using a Motorola bluetooth headset and dialing using speech, the phone will occasionally lock up and become totally non-responsive.  Get a low pitched buzz in the headset.  Fix:  remove and replace the battery.

    Apps disappear for no reason.  Have lost several in the last week.

    Battery discharges 50% in 3 hours without using any phone functions.

    Voice recorder app (from the Android Store) locks up the phone requiring reboot with the power button.

    Overall extremely disappointed, to the point that I will no longer give Verizon my business at the end of this contract.  Their technical assistance expressed sympathy but offered no solutions.

  19. Myself and many Droid Bionic owners are experiencing their phone automatically turning back on from 1 to 20 minutes after the phone is powered off. Often the phone then stays on all night. Verizon does not acknowledge this issue and I’m not sure Motorola is aware of it yet.

  20. My Droid Bionic has conference an incoming call onto an active conversation without touching the button for conference. If another call chimes in while I am on the line, I will ask the person I’m speaking with to hang up so that I am clear my line. 

  22. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure you cover the “home screen application” force close issue. My bionic COMPLETELY freezes and i have to take the battery out and put it back in, then it has trouble turning on, resulting in me having to take out the battery AGAIN. Then even when the phone actually gets turned on i still get the same issue with the homescreen not showing up in general. These shenanigans go on for about AN HOUR before my device finally decides to work again. PLEASE JUST MAKE SURE YOU FIX THIS!!!!

  23. I ordered the bionic thinking it was a good phone first problem the airplane mode. I called customer service at 8am was on the phone till 845 for them to tell me i need to go to the verizon store after opening and closing the phone more than 3 times turning it on and off 4 times. The store is 4 blocks away not a problem I wen there stood there for 1.30hours for them to get another phone i did not even activated it yet how the hell could it have hardware problems already. They explained that it is new technology i say guy this is 2011 if it is new technology why is there a sims card why are there glitches before even activating the phone. Guy says new 3g or 4gLTE ok i understand. New phone comes in 2 months go by not a problem all of a sudden the phone calls the voicemail every 5 minutes by itself one time it dialed my voicemaill 50times in a row like a seizure. Pandora keeps freezing after 5 songs due to the 3g-4g what in the hell is a 4g is it even a reliable satellite yet probably just released into space. I wanted to throw this phone away but its so expensive smart phones? More like mentally challenged phones.

  25. I can’t view, receive or send text messages. They should not roll out software with so many bugs. Next time I will not update software.

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