Google is preparing – not for the first time – a mandatory update for a pixel device (6a) that will reduce the battery power. The reason is several reports on overheating batteries that even led to fires. Affected users will be contacted in July.
Google reduces capacity of the Pixel 6a
The Californian search engine giant will shortly publish a mandatory software update for a certain number of Pixel 6a smartphones to reduce the risk of cordless overheatings. The update will limit the battery capacity and charging power of the device as soon as the battery has reached 400 charging cycles. Users will receive a warning after 375 charging cycles. This drastic measure follows several reports of Pixel 6a devices that have caught fire.
The numerous reports show that these are not isolated. In May, a Reddit user reported that his Pixel 6a “spontaneously ran up in the middle of the night” while it was charged with a third-party charger. Another user reported a similar incident in early June. Various incidents were also documented on the Google support forums, in which devices caught fire during the charging process or even when there was a rest.
As Android Authority reports, Google officially confirmed the problem and announced corresponding measures. In the code of the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 updates, information has already been found that indicate the planned reduction in the battery capacity. The company wants to contact affected users in July and inform about their options.
Known problem with pixel devices
This is not the first time that Google is confronted with serious battery problems in its Pixel devices. At the beginning of the year, the company released an update for Pixel 4a, which drastically reduced the battery power. In some cases, users had to recharge their devices after a few hours. At that time, Google offered those affected a battery exchange or financial compensation. Google has now confirmed that a mandatory update will be published:
A partial amount of Pixel 6a telephones will require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of a possible battery overheating. The update will activate battery management functions that reduce capacity and charging power after the battery has reached 400 charging cycles. We will contact affected customers next month and provide you with all the information you need to fix the problem. Google statement
Experts recommend that owners of a Pixel 6a, under “Settings> Cordy> Bordless Health”, search for corresponding warning messages. If the overheating is signed or if the warning is displayed, users should immediately have the battery replaced or an upgrade to a newer device should be considered.
