Google Pixel 6a owners complain about massive battery downgrade after mandatory update

On July 8, Google released an update that drastically reduces the battery life of some Google Pixel 6a phones after they've completed 400 charging cycles. This mandatory update will be installed automatically as soon as the Pixel 6a connects to the internet. The patch is intended to prevent battery overheating, which has led to fires in some cases. Some Google Pixel 6a users on the Google Pixel support forum and Reddit are now complaining about the impact of the new software.

According to some users, battery life is reduced by more than half. This is hardly surprising considering that Google released a comparable update for the Pixel 4a earlier this year, which effectively halved the battery voltage and thereby cut its runtime in half as well. The battery of some Pixel 6a phones reportedly depletes after only three to four hours of use following the update. Several users state that their Pixel 6a no longer charges properly after the update. When the charging cable is plugged in, only a message appears indicating that the device recognizes the connection but cannot charge.

Google offers affected users several options, including a free battery replacement, a compensation payment of $100 or a Google Store gift card worth $150. However, some users claim that they are affected by the battery update but not qualified for said compensation program. Google only offers compensation for smartphones with certain serial numbers. In such cases, owners should contact Google’s support.