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Following reports of battery issues on Pixel 6a, Google has detailed a mandatory Android 16 update for these devices that, for some, will have a major impact on battery life. Here’s what the company is detailing for now.
Starting on July 8, Google will roll out a new Android update, based on Android 16, to all Pixel 6a devices. The update is mandatory and will be installed automatically. For many Pixel 6a owners, there will be no changes in this update. For other “impacted” devices, Google will add a new, mandatory “battery management” change on Pixel 6a that will, for lack of a better word, have a major impact on battery life including both a reduction in battery life and in charging as well.
Google explains:
All Pixel 6a devices will receive a mandatory automatic software update to Android 16, with roll out starting July 8 2025, but only Impacted Devices will receive the battery management features. Some users will see changes sooner than others, because the battery management features activate only after an Impacted Device reaches 400 charge cycles.
…Not all Pixel 6a devices are impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance. If your device is not impacted, your battery management features will remain the same as before, and you will not be eligible for these support options under this program.
The battery reduction takes place only once your Pixel 6a has reached 400 total battery cycles, a number that takes around 2 years (give or take) to reach for most users. For those who haven’t already reached this number, a reminder notification will be sent after the device reaches 375 cycles.
Given the impact this will have on affected devices, Google is offering remedies, just as it did with the Pixel 4a’s battery reduction update.
This includes a no-cost battery replacement either through in-person or mail-in repairs. On a registration page, Google also mentions a “cash payment” or Google Store “hardware discount credit” towards another Pixel phone.
As mentioned, the update starts rolling out on July 8, just under a week from today. If you’re still using a Pixel 6a, go check out Google’s website to see if your device is affected.
The update was first announced in mid-June.
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