Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program: Difference between revisions
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|Description=The Pixel 4a received a mandatory software update that reduces battery performance for safety, alongside an appeasement offer. | |Description=The Pixel 4a received a mandatory software update that reduces battery performance for safety, alongside an appeasement offer. | ||
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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, 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 | 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220223603/https://endoflife.date/pixel |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</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 | ||
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===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>{{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: | 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251220031303/https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity |archive-date=20 Dec 2025}}</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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*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>{{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<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]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251129174745/https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee |archive-date=29 Nov 2025}}</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> | *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> | ||
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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 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> | *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]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250214093659/https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/ |archive-date=14 Feb 2025}}</ref> | ||
===Editing of initial announcement=== | ===Editing of initial announcement=== | ||
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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>{{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 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] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174250/https://www.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Note-7-return-kit.png Archived])</ref> | ||
*The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref name=":1" /> | *The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref name=":1" /> | ||
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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 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> | 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260223044606/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> | ||
==Criticism by community== | ==Criticism by community== | ||
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#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 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> | #*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>{{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> | #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]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250118161515/https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/does_anyone_know_if_theyll_give_full_cashback_for/ |archive-date=18 Jan 2025}}</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. | ||
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[[File:Pixel 4a battery serial.jpg|500px]] | [[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> | 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212185150/https://xdaforums.com/t/battery-update-analysis-and-way-to-detect-affected-battery.4716132/ |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> | ||
adb shell cat /sys/class/power_supply/battery/serial_number | adb shell cat /sys/class/power_supply/battery/serial_number | ||
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'''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>{{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>. | 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]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250801111009/https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i0zih0/the_only_working_solution_to_stop_the_forced/ |archive-date=1 Aug 2025}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251123184909/https://xdaforums.com/t/how-to-undo-the-january-2025-update-without-losing-data-unlocked-devices-only.4713980/ |archive-date=23 Nov 2025}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217041347/https://xdaforums.com/t/changes-coming-to-your-pixel-4a.4712085/ |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</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>. | 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128151240/https://developers.google.com/android/images |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref>. | ||
===Flashing a custom firmware=== | ===Flashing a custom firmware=== | ||