Google releases new Pixel 4a update, some free battery replacements offered [U]

Google has reached out to Pixel 4a owners today about an upcoming software update that will “improve the stability of their battery’s performance.” This is part of a “Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program.”

Update 1/8: TQ3A.230805.001.S2 is now available for the Pixel 4a. Most users should wait for the on-device update, but you can sideload the OTA here.

• Related: Google on how many battery charge cycles to expect from Pixel phones

Original 1/6: The Pixel 4a stopped receiving monthly updates in August of 2023. Google is rolling this new OTA, which is still based on Android 13, starting on January 8, 2025.

This release specifically “includes new battery management features to improve the stability of your battery’s performance, so the battery may last for shorter periods between charges. Users of Impacted Devices may also notice other changes, like reduced charging performance or changes to how the battery-level indicator on your phone shows your battery capacity” [emphasis ours].

Officially, Google says you can “continue to use your Pixel 4a as before” after installing the update.

All Pixel 4a phones will get this update, but “not all Pixel 4a devices are impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance.” (No other models, like the Pixel 4a 5G, are impacted.)

Given the reduced battery capacity, Google is offering a free battery replacement for affected Pixel 4a owners. You can check if your phone is eligible here.

Battery replacement is available at walk-in repair centers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India. Mail-in repair is also available for customers in the United States. Battery replacement is only available in eligible locations and while battery supplies last. For more details about eligibility, review criteria here.

Important: If your Pixel 4a device exhibits other forms of damage, like liquid damage, exposure to sharp objects, or excessive force, it may not qualify for a free battery replacement. If your phone has out-of-warranty damage, such as display or coverglass cracks, then there may be a fee to repair your phone. Before we start any repairs, we’ll provide a cost estimate. You then have the option to proceed with the repair or have your device returned to you.

For those that cannot get a battery replacement, your options are:

• $50 USD (or local equivalent) payment.
• $100 USD (or local equivalent) Google hardware discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone on the Google Store (as available).

Those who are eligible “will have one year from the initial software release on January 8, 2025 to register and make a choice of one of the three appeasement options.” The Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program ends January 8, 2026.

The Pixel 4a has a 3,140 mAh battery that officially “lasts all day.”

Updating…