Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program: Difference between revisions
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The Google Pixel 4a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on August 20, 2020, and reached its end of support on August 5, | The Google Pixel 4a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on August 20, 2020, and reached its end of support on August 5, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pixel 4a end of life date |url=https://endoflife.date/pixel |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=endoflife.date}}</ref> On January 6, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program to users:<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 4a phones require a software update to improve the stability of their battery's performance. An automatic update to Android 13 will roll out to all Pixel 4a devices starting January 8, 2025. For some devices ("Impacted Devices"), '''the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.''' [...] users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for an appeasement from Google."''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 | ||
Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 | Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 | ||
Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR</ref>''</blockquote> | Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR</ref>''<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 Jan 2025 |title=Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 |archive-date=7 Jan 2025 |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref> | ||
Google pixel needs certain battery replacements for 2025</blockquote> | |||
==Compensation<!-- Written in present tense, as this situation is ongoing as of January 18, 2025. -->== | ==Compensation<!-- Written in present tense, as this situation is ongoing as of January 18, 2025. -->== | ||
===Request form sent out to users=== | ===Request form sent out to users=== | ||
Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 4a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/15642495 | Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 4a 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/15642495 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002104/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/15642495 |archive-date=7 Jan 2025 |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wes |date=8 Jan 2025 |title=Google’s new Pixel 4A update is going to lower battery life for some owners |url=https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref> If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following: | ||
https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref> 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) | *'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India) | ||
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===Payment-processing issues=== | ===Payment-processing issues=== | ||
The $50 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through Payoneer, which has many issues: | The $50 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 | *Users must provide sensitive personal information including social security numbers and bank details | ||
*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation | *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>https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee</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<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> | ||
*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref> | *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=== | ===Store-credit limitations=== | ||
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*Available only for Pixel phone purchases<ref name=":0" /> | *Available only for Pixel phone purchases<ref name=":0" /> | ||
*Cannot be used in conjunction with trade-in offers | *Cannot be used in conjunction with trade-in offers | ||
*Users cannot change their compensation choice after selecting this option<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref> | *Users cannot change their compensation choice after selecting this option<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=$100 Google Store voucher code cannot be combined with sale price apparently? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> | ||
===Editing of initial announcement=== | ===Editing of initial announcement=== | ||
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*Permanent exclamation mark appearing in battery indicator | *Permanent exclamation mark appearing in battery indicator | ||
*Forced battery percentage display | *Forced battery percentage display | ||
*Severely reduced battery life, even with recently replaced batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref> | *Severely reduced battery life, even with recently replaced batteries<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=I change my battery a month BEFORE the upgrade, but after, I got the ! mark ... any tips ? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> | ||
===Battery-replacement complications=== | ===Battery-replacement complications=== | ||
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*Devices with new batteries still show warning indicators | *Devices with new batteries still show warning indicators | ||
*Performance remains capped even with official Google batteries | *Performance remains capped even with official Google batteries | ||
*Users who replaced batteries before the update experienced the same limitations as those with original batteries<ref | *Users who replaced batteries before the update experienced the same limitations as those with original batteries<ref name=":4" /> | ||
*Google support has indicated this may be due to repairs being performed outside of authorized service centers<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i19hxf/replaced_the_battery_but_still_the_warning/ | *Google support has indicated this may be due to repairs being performed outside of authorized service centers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Replaced the battery, but still the warning. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i19hxf/replaced_the_battery_but_still_the_warning/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> | ||
https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/ | In a Reddit poll posted on the r/Pixel4a subreddit, 170 out 212 respondents stated that their device had been identified as an "Impacted Device" by Google.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pixel 4a battery update: Google says "some" phones will be negatively affected. Let's see for ourselves what percentage is "some" |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hvmggd/pixel_4a_battery_update_google_says_some_phones/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> | ||
====Technical evidence of battery changes==== | |||
Hector Martin has analyzed the software update of the Pixel 4a. He determined that the battery profiles had changed such that "LSN" batteries (e.g. "Lishen"?) have a significantly lower charge limit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Hector |title=So there's a bunch of noise going around a sneaky forced Google Pixel 4a update that seems to cripple batteries... and this is quite interesting. |url=https://social.treehouse.systems/@marcan/113914172433692339 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204103910/https://social.treehouse.systems/@marcan/113914172433692339 |archive-date=4 Feb 2025 |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=Mastodon}}</ref> Presumably this means that battery replacements will only restore battery performance if the battery is replaced with an "ATL" battery ("Amperex Technology Limited"). It is possible to differentiate between the manufactures by looking at the serial number on the battery. 8230015901 is ATL and 8230020501 is LSN. Note that these refer to the companies manufacturing the cells, not the batteries, so the brand name is not printed on the battery itself. | |||
==Possible technical rationale== | ==Possible technical rationale== | ||
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*Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles | *Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles | ||
*Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells | *Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells | ||
*Increased internal resistance over time<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476</ref> | *Increased internal resistance over time<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chu |first=Tien-Fu |last2=Rajendran |first2=Raja |last3=Kuznetsova |first3=Iren |last4=Wang |first4=Gou-Jen |date=31 Mar 2020 |title=High-power, non-enzymatic glucose biofuel cell based on a nano/micro hybrid-structured Au anode |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476 |url-status=live |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=ScienceDirect}}</ref> | ||
===Safety considerations=== | ===Safety considerations=== | ||
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*The device was released in August 2020; many units are approaching 4.5 years of use | *The device was released in August 2020; many units are approaching 4.5 years of use | ||
*The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization | *The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization | ||
*The use of specialized shipping containers marked for "Damaged/Defective Lithium Ion Battery(s)" parallels procedures used for known hazardous devices<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hxyp6z/certainly_seems_battery_defectrelated_vs_planned/</ref><ref>https://www.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Note-7-return-kit.png</ref> | *The use of specialized shipping containers marked for "Damaged/Defective Lithium Ion Battery(s)" parallels procedures used for known hazardous devices<ref>{{Cite web |title=Certainly Seems Battery Defect-Related (vs Planned Obsolescence) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hxyp6z/certainly_seems_battery_defectrelated_vs_planned/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>[https://www.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Note-7-return-kit.png Shipping container picture]</ref> | ||
*The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref | *The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref name=":1" /> | ||
===Precedent in mobile phones=== | ===Precedent in mobile phones=== | ||
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*Quality control variations between production runs | *Quality control variations between production runs | ||
These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref> | These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=7 Jan 2025 |title=Google Pixel 4a gets an unexpected update: Lower battery life |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref> | ||
==Criticism by community== | ==Criticism by community== | ||
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#This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of. | #This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of. | ||
#*While the update can be circumvented, it requires technical knowledge of Android phones, which an average user does not have. | #*While the update can be circumvented, it requires technical knowledge of Android phones, which an average user does not have. | ||
#Google's communication on what the problem with "Impacted Devices" is and how the update seeks to remedy it has been vague.<ref | #Google's communication on what the problem with "Impacted Devices" is and how the update seeks to remedy it has been vague.<ref name=":5" /> | ||
#*As Google has not publicly commented on the issue, users have been left to speculate on what the intent behind the update could be. | #*As Google has not publicly commented on the issue, users have been left to speculate on what the intent behind the update could be. | ||
#Google Support has been giving out misleading or incorrect information'''.''' | #Google Support has been giving out misleading or incorrect information'''.''' | ||
#*Google Support initially stated that the $100 USD coupon code could not be used in combination with other sales. This has turned out to be false. This information may have affected the compensation option customers chose.<ref | #*Google Support initially stated that the $100 USD coupon code could not be used in combination with other sales. This has turned out to be false. This information may have affected the compensation option customers chose.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Pixel discount DOES stack with the sale! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i6ei4x/the_pixel_discount_does_stack_with_the_sale/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> | ||
#At least two users have reported Google Support telling them that their Pixel 4a's trade-in price would be lowered after the update's installation.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/does_anyone_know_if_theyll_give_full_cashback_for/ | #At least two users have reported Google Support telling them that their Pixel 4a's trade-in price would be lowered after the update's installation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Does anyone know if they'll give full cashback for Pixel 4a after update |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/does_anyone_know_if_theyll_give_full_cashback_for/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> | ||
#Google's use of Payoneer makes it impossible for people to receive the $50 that Google offered as an option. The most someone can receive is $47 if they share personal financial information with an unknown-to-them company including their social security number, and promptly cancel the Payoneer service to avoid additional fees. | #Google's use of Payoneer makes it impossible for people to receive the $50 that Google offered as an option. The most someone can receive is $47 if they share personal financial information with an unknown-to-them company including their social security number, and promptly cancel the Payoneer service to avoid additional fees. | ||
==Restoring battery functionality== | ==Restoring battery functionality== | ||
===Replacing the battery=== | |||
[[#Technical evidence of battery changes|Initial reverse engineering efforts]] suggest that you can identify if your battery is bad by looking at the serial number. If you're going to replace the battery outside of Google's program with another OEM battery, look for one with the serial number "8230015901". Make sure it does NOT have the bad serial number, "8230020501". | |||
The serial number is printed on the battery, as marked in the following image: | |||
[[File:Pixel 4a battery serial.jpg|500px]] | |||
You may also be able to run the following command over [https://www.xda-developers.com/install-adb-windows-macos-linux/ adb shell] to retrieve the serial number:<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 Jan 2025 |title=Battery update analysis and way to detect affected battery |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/battery-update-analysis-and-way-to-detect-affected-battery.4716132/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=XDA Forums}}</ref> | |||
adb shell cat /sys/class/power_supply/battery/serial_number | |||
===Blocking the update or flashing older firmware=== | |||
'''Warning:''' please consider the [[Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program#Safety considerations|battery safety concerns]] before reverting or ignoring updates. Users must evaluate battery health at own risk. | '''Warning:''' please consider the [[Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program#Safety considerations|battery safety concerns]] before reverting or ignoring updates. Users must evaluate battery health at own risk. | ||
Following the criticism, the community was quick to find workarounds to retain or restore previous battery capacity. Users can stop the update by blocking DNS requests to Google's OTA servers (''ota.googlezip.net, ota-cache1.googlezip.net, ota-cache2.googlezip.net'') via a DNS filtering application such as NextDNS, RethinkDNS, or AdAway<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i0zih0/the_only_working_solution_to_stop_the_forced/</ref>. Users can delete an already downloaded (and not yet installed) update: ''Settings -> Apps -> All Apps -> Google Play Services -> Storage and cache -> Manage Space'' and from there on delete all data through the "'''Clear all data'''" button. If the phone has already installed the Jan 2025 update, users can manually flash the previous firmware to restore functionality<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/undo-the-january-2025-update-without-losing-data-unlocked-devices-only.4713980</ref>. Flashing to the previous firmware requires unlocking the bootloader<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-unlock-root-safetynet-for-pixel-4a.4153773/</ref>, and a copy of the previous firmware from November 2023 (sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s1-factory-82902ea9) <ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/changes-coming-to-your-pixel-4a.4712085/</ref>. | Following the criticism, the community was quick to find workarounds to retain or restore previous battery capacity. Users can stop the update by blocking DNS requests to Google's OTA servers (''ota.googlezip.net, ota-cache1.googlezip.net, ota-cache2.googlezip.net'') via a DNS filtering application such as NextDNS, RethinkDNS, or AdAway<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE ONLY WORKING SOLUTION to stop the forced battery update - this works even if the update is currently downloading, or has already been downloaded and it's waiting for a restart to apply it |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i0zih0/the_only_working_solution_to_stop_the_forced/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>. Users can delete an already downloaded (and not yet installed) update: ''Settings -> Apps -> All Apps -> Google Play Services -> Storage and cache -> Manage Space'' and from there on delete all data through the "'''Clear all data'''" button. If the phone has already installed the Jan 2025 update, users can manually flash the previous firmware to restore functionality<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Jan 2025 |title=How to: Undo the January 2025 update without losing data (unlocked devices only). |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/how-to-undo-the-january-2025-update-without-losing-data-unlocked-devices-only.4713980/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=XDA Forums}}</ref>. Flashing to the previous firmware requires unlocking the bootloader<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Aug 2020 |title=[GUIDE] Unlock/Root/Safetynet for Pixel 4a |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-unlock-root-safetynet-for-pixel-4a.4153773/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=XDA Forums}}</ref>, and a copy of the previous firmware from November 2023 (sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s1-factory-82902ea9)<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 Jan 2025 |title=Changes coming to your Pixel 4a |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/changes-coming-to-your-pixel-4a.4712085/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=XDA Forums}}</ref>. | ||
Google has removed all official images for the pixel 4a except the jan 2025 update, effectively removing official images as an option for downgrades <ref>{{Cite web |title=Factory Images for Nexus and Pixel Devices |url=https://developers.google.com/android/images#sunfish |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=Google Play Services}}</ref>. | |||
===Flashing a custom firmware=== | |||
'''Warning:''' please consider the [[Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program#Safety considerations|battery safety concerns]] before ignoring the battery update. Users must evaluate battery health at own risk. | |||
Another option is flashing a custom firmware ("ROM") onto the device, such as [[wikipedia:LineageOS|LineageOS]], [[wikipedia:CalyxOS|CalyxOS]], or [[wikipedia:GrapheneOS|GrapheneOS]]. Custom ROMs have not adopted the closed source kernel changes that reduce the battery's capacity. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Incidents]] | [[Category:Incidents]] | ||
[[Category:Pixel 4a]] | [[Category:Google Pixel 4a]] | ||