Google Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program: Difference between revisions

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The Google Pixel 6a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on July 28, 2022. Android 16 is expected to be the last version supported with security updates expected to end sometime in 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pixel 6a end of life date |url=https://endoflife.date/pixel |url-status=live |access-date=~~25 Mar~~ 2025 |website=endoflife.date}}</ref> On July 2, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program to users:<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 6a phones (“Impacted Devices”) require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating which could pose a risk to users. The update will enable important battery management features that will reduce battery capacity and charging performance on Impacted Devices after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles.

The Google Pixel 6a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on July 28, 2022. Android 16 is expected to be the last version supported with security updates expected to end sometime in 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pixel 6a end of life date |url=https://endoflife.date/pixel |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=endoflife.date}}</ref> On July 2, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program to users:

[[:File:Google pixel 6a email.png]]<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 6a phones (“Impacted Devices”) require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating which could pose a risk to users. The update will enable important battery management features that will reduce battery capacity and charging performance on Impacted Devices after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles.

All Pixel 6a devices will receive a mandatory automatic software update to Android 16, with roll out starting July 8 2025, but only Impacted Devices will receive the battery management features. Some users will see changes sooner than others, because the battery management features activate only after an Impacted Device reaches 400 charge cycles.

We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their products, so users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for support options from Google based upon country of purchase, location, and warranty status, subject to our terms and conditions below. Not all Pixel 6a devices are impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance. If your device is not impacted, your battery management features will remain the same as before, and you will not be eligible for these support options under this program. "''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/~~15701861~~

We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their products, so users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for support options from Google based upon country of purchase, location, and warranty status, subject to our terms and conditions below. Not all Pixel 6a devices are impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance. If your device is not impacted, your battery management features will remain the same as before, and you will not be eligible for these support options under this program. "''<ref name=":0">[https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779? https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779]

Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250703210308/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779

</ref>''

</ref>

Google pixel needs certain battery replacements for 2025</blockquote>

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===Request form sent out to users===

Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 6a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Request a repair, payment, or future discount code |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703211550/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |archive-date=03 July 2025 |access-date=03 July 2025 If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 6a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref><nowiki>{{Cite web |title=Request a repair, payment, or future discount code |url=</nowiki>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703211550/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |archive-date=03 July 2025 |access-date=03 July 2025 If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

*'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)

*'''$150 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)

*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent)~~<ref name=":0" />~~

*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent)

Compensation~~<ref name=":0" />~~

Compensation

===Payment-processing issues===

The $100 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through [[wikipedia:Payoneer|Payoneer]], which has many issues:

*Users must provide sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers and bank details

*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation

*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual account fee |url=https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Payoneer]]}}</ref>

*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<nowiki><ref></nowiki>{{Cite web |title=Annual account fee |url=https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Payoneer]]}}</ref> https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202

*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=I have replaced battery in a local shop not supported by Google |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>

===Store-credit limitations===

[[File:6a-compensation-screenshot-Determine if your device qualifies for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program.png|alt=Screenshot of Google's Compensation Options for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program|thumb|Screenshot of Google's Compensation Options for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program]]

Placeholder

===Reimbursement===

There is an option if you have had you 6a battery replaced at an authorized service center prior to the program announcement.

[[File:6a-battery-previously-replaced-screenshot-Determine if your device qualifies for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance ProgramScreenshot 2025-07-03 at 15-49-06 Determine if your device qualifies for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program.png|alt=Have you recently had your battery repaired at an authorized repair partner|thumb|Have you recently had your battery repaired at an authorized repair partner]]

==Aftermath of software update==

Placeholder

After the update, users experience a battery cap of 80%, a message in the settings app's batttery section, Placeholder

===Battery-performance issues===

Users have reported several issues following the update:

Users have reported several issues following the update: Including inability to charge<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Jul 2025 |title=My pixel 6a doesn't charge - at all - after update |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/pixel_phones/comments/1m42zn3/my_pixel_6a_doesnt_charge_at_all_after_update/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721024418/https://old.reddit.com/r/pixel_phones/comments/1m42zn3/my_pixel_6a_doesnt_charge_at_all_after_update/ |archive-date=21 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 Jul 2025 |title=Will it charge? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel6/comments/1m2xtlt/will_it_charge/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721024834/https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel6/comments/1m2xtlt/will_it_charge/ |archive-date=21 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.

Placeholder

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===Technical evidence of battery changes===

~~Placeholder~~

The battery voltage has been dropped to below 4.0V after the update, the actual capacity has been reduced to below 60%<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 Jul 2025 |title=Thank you Google for Fast Charging Update /s |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel6aUsers/comments/1lwf3p5/thank_you_google_for_fast_charging_update_s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=hank you Google for Fast Charging Update /s |archive-date=20 Jul 2025 |access-date=20 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.

==Possible technical rationale==

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*The device was released in July 2022; many units are approaching 3 years of use

*The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization

/>

*There have been reports of the device spontaneously catching on fire

===Precedent in mobile phones===

Similar battery-related interventions have occurred previously; Google's own Pixel 4a in January of 2025 and Apple's 2017 iPhone throttling was done to prevent unexpected shutdowns in devices with degraded batteries.

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*Quality control variations between production runs

==Media Articles==

https://9to5google.com/2025/07/02/pixel-6a-battery-update-details/

https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-6a-battery-limit-3573411/

https://www.theverge.com/news/697103/google-android16-update-pixel-6a-battery-overheating-fix-july-8

https://9to5google.com/2025/07/02/google-removes-pixel-6a-factory-images/

https://www.techradar.com/phones/google-pixel-phones/the-pixel-6a-will-get-a-mandatory-update-that-will-reduce-battery-capacity-soon-and-other-pixel-phones-could-be-next

==Criticism by community==

#This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.

#Despite claim, this update '''does not prevent''' the phone from overheating or catching fire, as shown by this user whose Pixel 6a that got the July update, caught fire while charging overnight<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitwam |first=Ryan |date=29 Jul 2025 |title=Another Google Pixel 6a catches fire after battery-nerfing update |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/?comments-page=1#comments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728172217/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/ |archive-date=28 Jul 2025 |access-date=4 Aug 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Jul 2025 |title=I'm the 3rd one posting this for this month. Pixel 6a caught on fire right next to me on the nightstand. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728055102/https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |archive-date=28 Jul 2025 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.

==Restoring battery functionality==

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Google has removed all official images for the pixel 6a released prior to the date of this program's inception.

===Rolling-back Android===

By editing android-info.txt file, Users are able to bypass the anti-rollback bootloader update and successfully downgrade Android 14 from Android 16<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Jul 2025 |title=Hey guys! I just rollback to android14 success! |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/hey-guys-i-just-rollback-to-android14-success.4750539/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721022623/https://xdaforums.com/t/hey-guys-i-just-rollback-to-android14-success.4750539/ |archive-date=21 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |website=XDA Developers}}</ref>.

==References==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The Google Pixel 6a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on July 28, 2022. Android 16 is expected to be the last version supported with security updates expected to end sometime in 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pixel 6a end of life date |url=https://endoflife.date/pixel |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=endoflife.date}}</ref> On July 2, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program to users:<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 6a phones (“Impacted Devices”) require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating which could pose a risk to users. The update will enable important battery management features that will reduce battery capacity and charging performance on Impacted Devices after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles.
+The Google Pixel 6a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on July 28, 2022. Android 16 is expected to be the last version supported with security updates expected to end sometime in 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pixel 6a end of life date |url=https://endoflife.date/pixel |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=endoflife.date}}</ref> On July 2, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program to users:
+[[:File:Google pixel 6a email.png]]<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 6a phones (“Impacted Devices”) require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating which could pose a risk to users. The update will enable important battery management features that will reduce battery capacity and charging performance on Impacted Devices after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles.
 All Pixel 6a devices will receive a mandatory automatic software update to Android 16, with roll out starting July 8 2025, but only Impacted Devices will receive the battery management features. Some users will see changes sooner than others, because the battery management features activate only after an Impacted Device reaches 400 charge cycles.
-We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their products, so users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for support options from Google based upon country of purchase, location, and warranty status, subject to our terms and conditions below. Not all Pixel 6a devices are impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance. If your device is not impacted, your battery management features will remain the same as before, and you will not be eligible for these support options under this program. "''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861
+We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their products, so users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for support options from Google based upon country of purchase, location, and warranty status, subject to our terms and conditions below. Not all Pixel 6a devices are impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance. If your device is not impacted, your battery management features will remain the same as before, and you will not be eligible for these support options under this program. "''<ref name=":0">[https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779? https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779]
 Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250703210308/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779
+</ref>''
-</ref>
 Google pixel needs certain battery replacements for 2025</blockquote>
@@ Line 15: / Line 16: @@
 ===Request form sent out to users===
-Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 6a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Request a repair, payment, or future discount code |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703211550/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |archive-date=03 July 2025 |access-date=03 July 2025 If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:
+Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 6a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref><nowiki>{{Cite web |title=Request a repair, payment, or future discount code |url=</nowiki>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703211550/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |archive-date=03 July 2025 |access-date=03 July 2025 If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:
 *'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)
 *'''$150 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)
-*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent)<ref name=":0" />
+*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent)
-Compensation<ref name=":0" />
+Compensation
 ===Payment-processing issues===
 The $100 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through [[wikipedia:Payoneer|Payoneer]], which has many issues:
 *Users must provide sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers and bank details
 *A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
-*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual account fee |url=https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Payoneer]]}}</ref>
+*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<nowiki><ref></nowiki>{{Cite web |title=Annual account fee |url=https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Payoneer]]}}</ref> https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202
 *Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=I have replaced battery in a local shop not supported by Google |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>
 ===Store-credit limitations===
+[[File:6a-compensation-screenshot-Determine if your device qualifies for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program.png|alt=Screenshot of Google's Compensation Options for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program|thumb|Screenshot of Google's Compensation Options for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program]]
 Placeholder
+===Reimbursement===
+There is an option if you have had you 6a battery replaced at an authorized service center prior to the program announcement.
+[[File:6a-battery-previously-replaced-screenshot-Determine if your device qualifies for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance ProgramScreenshot 2025-07-03 at 15-49-06 Determine if your device qualifies for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program.png|alt=Have you recently had your battery repaired at an authorized repair partner|thumb|Have you recently had your battery repaired at an authorized repair partner]]
 ==Aftermath of software update==
-Placeholder
+After the update, users experience a battery cap of 80%, a message in the settings app's batttery section, Placeholder
 ===Battery-performance issues===
-Users have reported several issues following the update:
+Users have reported several issues following the update: Including inability to charge<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Jul 2025 |title=My pixel 6a doesn't charge - at all - after update |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/pixel_phones/comments/1m42zn3/my_pixel_6a_doesnt_charge_at_all_after_update/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721024418/https://old.reddit.com/r/pixel_phones/comments/1m42zn3/my_pixel_6a_doesnt_charge_at_all_after_update/ |archive-date=21 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 Jul 2025 |title=Will it charge? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel6/comments/1m2xtlt/will_it_charge/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721024834/https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel6/comments/1m2xtlt/will_it_charge/ |archive-date=21 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.
 Placeholder
@@ Line 43: / Line 51: @@
 ===Technical evidence of battery changes===
-Placeholder
+The battery voltage has been dropped to below 4.0V after the update, the actual capacity has been reduced to below 60%<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 Jul 2025 |title=Thank you Google for Fast Charging Update /s |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel6aUsers/comments/1lwf3p5/thank_you_google_for_fast_charging_update_s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=hank you Google for Fast Charging Update /s |archive-date=20 Jul 2025 |access-date=20 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.
 ==Possible technical rationale==
@@ Line 60: / Line 68: @@
 *The device was released in July 2022; many units are approaching 3 years of use
 *The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization
- />
+*There have been reports of the device spontaneously catching on fire
 ===Precedent in mobile phones===
 Similar battery-related interventions have occurred previously; Google's own Pixel 4a in January of 2025 and Apple's 2017 iPhone throttling was done to prevent unexpected shutdowns in devices with degraded batteries.
@@ Line 72: / Line 79: @@
 *Quality control variations between production runs
+==Media Articles==
+https://9to5google.com/2025/07/02/pixel-6a-battery-update-details/
+https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-6a-battery-limit-3573411/
+https://www.theverge.com/news/697103/google-android16-update-pixel-6a-battery-overheating-fix-july-8
+https://9to5google.com/2025/07/02/google-removes-pixel-6a-factory-images/
+https://www.techradar.com/phones/google-pixel-phones/the-pixel-6a-will-get-a-mandatory-update-that-will-reduce-battery-capacity-soon-and-other-pixel-phones-could-be-next
 ==Criticism by community==
 #This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.
+#Despite claim, this update '''does not prevent''' the phone from overheating or catching fire, as shown by this user whose Pixel 6a that got the July update, caught fire while charging overnight<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitwam |first=Ryan |date=29 Jul 2025 |title=Another Google Pixel 6a catches fire after battery-nerfing update |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/?comments-page=1#comments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728172217/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/ |archive-date=28 Jul 2025 |access-date=4 Aug 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Jul 2025 |title=I'm the 3rd one posting this for this month. Pixel 6a caught on fire right next to me on the nightstand. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728055102/https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |archive-date=28 Jul 2025 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.
 ==Restoring battery functionality==
@@ Line 83: / Line 101: @@
 Google has removed all official images for the pixel 6a released prior to the date of this program's inception.
+===Rolling-back Android===
+By editing android-info.txt file, Users are able to bypass the anti-rollback bootloader update and successfully downgrade Android 14 from Android 16<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Jul 2025 |title=Hey guys! I just rollback to android14 success! |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/hey-guys-i-just-rollback-to-android14-success.4750539/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721022623/https://xdaforums.com/t/hey-guys-i-just-rollback-to-android14-success.4750539/ |archive-date=21 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |website=XDA Developers}}</ref>.
 ==References==