Google is set to release a mandatory software update for certain Pixel 6a smartphones after reports of the battery overheating.
The update, which has been identified in the Android 16 QPR 1 beta, will reduce the battery capacity and charging speed of the device after it has reached 400 charge cycles.
Google says the update is a precautionary measure to mitigate the risk of the battery becoming unsafe. It’s not clear how many phones are affected, but Google says it’ll be in touch with those users next month.
“A subset of Pixel 6a phones will require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating,” Google said in a statement to Android Authority. Google also confirmed that affected users will be contacted next month with further instructions.
The Pixel 6a is due software support until July 2027, but this is just one of a series of battery-related issues within Google’s smartphone range.
Earlier this year, an update for the Pixel 4a reduced the battery life of the phone, while there’s also been a repair program for swelling batteries in the Pixel 7a.
It’s unlikely this update will have too much of an impact on performance, but it’s good to see Google taking user safety seriously. Many manufacturers have begun implementing measures to improve battery health over time and prevent safety risks.
Google says it’ll be in touch with users affected by the update, but it might take longer than expected for the update to roll out.
Opinion
No one likes to see a battey decrease, but when it’s for the safety reasons it’s hard to complain. This feels like a good move from Google.
