GrapheneOS says my 6a battery should be replaced. Google says I'm ineligible.

Designed1668

I got around to filing a claim for my Pixel 6a battery with Google. My battery life has sharply decreased since the throttling update and I have a persistent notification in my battery settings recommending I replace the battery with a link to Google's battery replacement/compensation program for faulty Pixel 6a batteries.

After begrudgingly handing over my sensitive personal information to Payoneer to facilitate the payment, Google sent me an email saying they escalated my case for higher review. After a few days of no response, I responded asking about what was going on, supplied them my original order number from the google store, told them about the battery issues I'm facing, only for them to respond a couple days later saying my device is not eligible.

I'd really like to know what is going on here. First, am I seeing the battery replacement recommendation message on GrapheneOS because my phone is eligible, or did GrapheneOS just send this to all Pixel 6a users?

Second, if my phone truly isn't eligible, then what's going on with my battery? I've been experiencing horrible battery life since the throttling update. I now have an average battery life 2-4 hours of screentime and have to charge 3+ times a day.

If my device truly is eligible, I would appreciate advice anyone on dealing with Google so I can be compensated promptly, if that's even possible at this point. My friend who also uses GrapheneOS submitted his claim and was approved within 30 minutes and received his payment the next day.

Thank you.

Novalissoide

Designed1668 there's no questions, ifs ands or buts about whether your battery is defective, it is defective full stop. The warning goes out to the subset of P6a users that do have the bad battery installed, it wont trigger for the other P6a, not even if their batteries has a high cycle count or being degraded from heavy usage (mine is at 720 cycles, doing fine). Keep it up and don't stop bothering Google about the replacement. You haven't done anything to deserve less than them carrying out their agreement.

Eirikr70

Designed1668 I have been through that. I have no official information so can't affirm for sure but what I suppose is what follows :
Your battery is defective and should be replaced at the expense of Google.
But the "captors" of whatever you call them that test the model of the battery are placed inside stock Pixel OS, so Google couldn't reach your phone and grab the information of your battery model.
Hence they declared that you are not eligible.
Once that answer is given to you, as far as I understand, they won't reconsider it.
I see no option that wouldn't be disproportionate as compared to the cost of replacing the battery.

Watermelon

Designed1668 I'd really like to know what is going on here. First, am I seeing the battery replacement recommendation message on GrapheneOS because my phone is eligible, or did GrapheneOS just send this to all Pixel 6a users?

https://grapheneos.org/releases#:~:text=2025092500%20release:-,add,faulty%20battery

casualmilkenjoyer

Designed1668 It took me around 3 months to get mine. I had to contact their chat until I got an email from their support department. Then, I used the email chain to move things along. It worked out eventually, and I have a new battery now from iFixit. Just be persistent.

Also, if you do the swap yourself, use a magnetic tray to organize the screws. There are 16 of varying sizes, and I jostled them during the repair 🙄. Was a real headache trying to figure out where each one went.

Designed1668

Novalissoide is the battery replacement message I'm seeing on GrapheneOS specific to GrapheneOS or would I see the same message if I was on stock?

I'm considering responding and telling them about the message I'm seeing, but I want to avoid revealing that I'm using GrapheneOS both for privacy reasons and to avoid any complications of them saying they're not responsible due to me using a different OS.

Novalissoide

Hopefully someone who did the replacement, ideally with some struggle on the path, can give their take on this, I was lucky myself.

DeletedUser499

Just a thought.. Have you got to the stage where your battery is one of the defective series but has reached the magical 800 cycle count that is specified in G@@gle blurb, to now be a dead battery and the user should replace it themselves. No cost to G@@gle.
1 you get the warning
2 your battery is defective
3 G@@gle won't replace it because you have got to the battery EOL state.

Designed1668

DeletedUser499 I have about 600 charge cycles. I was a little past 450 when they originally pushed the update and my battery has been terrible ever since.

I don't know how charge cycles are calculated exactly, but the rate of charge cycles has increased significantly since the throttling, perhaps since I now have to charge my phone multiple times a day now. Like it took 3 years to get to 450 and only a couple months to get past 600.

Novalissoide

Settings > About phone > Battery information

Designed1668

Novalissoide 613 charge cycle count

regit

I believe the issue is something like this: Eirikr70

Originally I received the same message. That my Pixel 6a would be ineligible. After asking why, I was told to install the stock OS in order for them to confirm that the IMEI I provided belongs to my Google account. After I did they were able to verify my device and I received the money.
I've described my experience before here https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/27443-pixel-6a-battery-warning/14

Perhaps they want to make sure you still own the device you are requesting the compensation for. That you haven't sold or scrapped it. After all their goal is to get the defective batteries out of use.

MetropleX I'm curious. Did you choose Google credit or cash payout, or the replacement by a service center? Maybe they are less restrictive with the latter, since the service technician can verify the phone/battery. So they don't need to do it remotely.

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

All this nonsense is happening because the battery is not user replaceable.

Designed1668

casualmilkenjoyer did they ever tell you that you weren't eligible before approving you?

Designed1668

casualmilkenjoyer I was planning on just putting the money toward another Pixel device. I was originally going to take the $150 store credit, but read mixed things about whether I could combine it with a black Friday sale and trade-in, so I went with the $100 cash option to play it safe just for them to refuse to give me anything.

casualmilkenjoyer

Designed1668 No, I didn't have any eligibility issues.

MetropleX

Designed1668 did you actually put your IMEI through this?

https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779?hl=en

Designed1668

MetropleX Yes. That's the only way to even apply for it from what I've seen. I selected the cash option.

MetropleX

Designed1668 having gone through it myself and had 2 Pixel 6a battery replacements under the programme I don't understand why they'd suddenly deny you the claim.

Senior-S

I'm in the same boat, I received the notification about my battery being defective but trying to get compensation from google is like trying to ram ones head through a brick wall.

After multiple back and forts pushing for an concrete answer on why i was refused the so called "appeasement", they claimed my device was not among the "Impacted Devices".

Hi Redacted,

Thank you for contacting us regarding the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program.

We appreciate your patience as we reviewed your eligibility for the program. After careful review of your submission, your device has been determined ineligible for a support option, as it is not among the specific devices identified as "Impacted Devices" for this program.

The Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program is specifically for users of certain Pixel 6a phones that require a software update which, for "Impacted Devices," reduces battery capacity and impacts charging performance when the battery reaches 400 charge cycles. Not all Pixel 6a devices were impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance as a result of the battery health features included in this update.

Therefore, if your device is not impacted, you are not eligible for a support option under this program.

It is possible that the diminished battery performance you are experiencing is related to the normal aging of your device's rechargeable battery. Pixel phones, like other smartphones, use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries which are consumable components that can experience performance, capacity, or runtime degradation over time.

If you are experiencing decreased battery performance not related to the specific issue addressed by this program, we recommend general troubleshooting or considering replacing your battery if you notice a decrease in capacity or runtime due to aging. You can find information and support for general battery issues on our Help Center or by contacting our support team through our standard channels.

Thank you for your continued support and for being a valued member of the Pixel family.

Sincerely,
Redacted
The Google Support Team

Velocity9490

My device was also determined to be ineligible. I filled out the form correctly, didn't use a VPN or anything that would look suspicious, put in my serial number, waited for more than two weeks, and then got an email denying my eligibility.

I ordered a battery replacement kit from iFixit anyway, and will try to replace the battery tomorrow.