Google has implemented a mandatory software update for its Pixel 4a and Pixel 6a smartphones to address issues related to battery overheating and device failure.
The company previously identified concerns regarding overheating batteries and device failure within its Pixel smartphone lineup. This problem initially surfaced with the Pixel 4a, leading to the establishment of the Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program. Subsequently, similar issues were observed with the Pixel 6a. Google’s response to these incidents has been comprehensive, encompassing multiple facets. These measures included offering repair or replacement services for affected devices and providing compensatory payouts to users. A central component of this strategy involved the deployment of software updates designed to impose a hard limit on battery performance.
The primary objective of these software updates is to mitigate the risk of fires stemming from older batteries within the affected phones. The update functions by limiting the charging capacity and downgrading the overall performance of the device. These restrictions are programmed to activate only upon the battery reaching a specific charging cycle threshold. Google has also indicated that these performance limitations can be removed if the Pixel device undergoes a battery replacement. Despite this, some users sought methods to avoid the installation of this charge-limiting update.
Google communicated the non-optional nature of these updates when they were announced. For the Pixel 4a, the company described the forthcoming update as “automatic.” Regarding the Pixel 6a, Google further specified the update as “mandatory.” To reinforce the update’s implementation, Google also removed past firmware downloads from its official repository, thereby increasing the difficulty for users attempting to revert to previous software versions.
A method previously known to users involved leveraging a specific setting within Android’s Developer Options. While many users are familiar with enabling Developer Options, often for interacting with their phone via the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), this particular setting allowed users to disable the phone’s capability to automatically install a downloaded update upon reboot. Disabling this option successfully prevented the battery-limiting update from installing for several months for certain users.
Recent reports from users indicate that this method is no longer effective. Multiple users on the online platform Reddit, identified by usernames such as crazed98camaro, salyosen, and gxstahr, have reported similar experiences. These users had previously disabled the automatic update option on their Pixel 4a devices and had been operating on older software versions for an extended period. However, their devices recently updated despite this setting being disabled. The specific technical method Google utilized to bypass this developer option has not been publicly disclosed or confirmed.
