Pixel 6a to get mandatory update

nandohyphen1

Hi I have a pixel 6a. I heard about the mandatory update Google's doing to fix the overheating problem. It also said its getting updated to Android 16. Will this screw me over as I use GrapheneOS? Or will GrapheneOS still function normally??

area51

nandohyphen1 if your battery cycle count is aproaching 400 or has passed it, then G@@gle will as you phrase it "screw me over"..
If like me your battery count is low, mines actually 152, it was 86 when I bought it secondhand two years ago, then I have in my estimation enough battery cycles to carry my phone to its EOL date in 2027 and G@@gle can go screw themselves over. I expect my P6a will function as nomall even with G@@gles update.
It always brings a smile to my face when a type of Pixel has a battery problem and a major release of a new model is iminent....
You have to remember batteries are a container of chemicals, and heat and over charging ( not length of time plugged in but rated power of charge being applied) can cause expansion, flamable explosions etc.
my phone is charged when powered off, so if there is heat I am not left guessing is it background apps running etc, I will know instantly the heat is from the charge and its removed immediatley.

Eirikr70

I don't think that the folks at GrapheneOS would take the responsibility of your house catching fire ...

nandohyphen1

area51 Yes I think the battery count is pretty low. Under settings it says the cycle count is 18. So I'm assuming that means it has been charged a total of 18 times? I did get my 6a at the end of last month. So you think it GrapheneOS should still function properly then?

area51

nandohyphen1 yes I do.
Its only when the battery count reaches 400 that the updated software will begin to take effect.

twitheatrophonic

My recharge cycle is 943. Should i change the battery or wait for update to check if in affected? What to do suggest

area51

twitheatrophonic If you read the G@@gle documentation on this subject, your battery should be changed. Cycle count of 800 is G@@gles magic number for replacement.

DirtyDan

Just so people are aware (not sure if posted on other similar threads), Google is offering financial compensation to "eligible" Pixel 6a devices.

Here's the link:
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779

You'll need to sign in with a Google account somewhere and give them your IMEI if you're comfortable doing that. Be mindful this google account will be tied to whatever compensation you choose as well, which could mean more personal information. No, I don't think this is a "gotcha." This would be normal if we weren't just always hyper suspicious of Google. Google has to verify devices and your info somehow to mitigate against fake claims.

The options, if eligible, appear to be:

$100 USD payment
$150 USD Google Store credit
"Free" battery replacement

They seem to prefer wanting to just pay you or to give you a store credit.

Overall, I think this is very fair compensation, especially considering that you can replace the battery yourself for ~$40 USD. Most people I'll assume will just pocket the cash or use this opportunity to buy a newer Pixel phone.

Google also doesn't require you to send in the device and you're free to keep using it after being compensated. Google also says that if you replace your battery, the upgrade will un-nerf your battery life (until you hit 400 cycles again).

Considering that this update is to prevent your battery from literally exploding and starting a lithium fire, and that they're prepared to compensate people for the loss of battery usability from this update, it's hard for me to say that Google is the bad guy today.

This assumes that everyone affected by this are actually compensated though. The whole "eligible" devices wording makes me a bit nervous.

spring-onion

Let's keep the discussion in one place: https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/23668-pixel-6a-to-get-mandatory-update-from-google-to-fix-problems-with-overheating/