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Can You Stop Pixel 6A’s Battery Update? Smart Approaches and Hard Truths
Pixel 6A users face a difficult situation: Google is pushing out a mandatory update starting July 8, 2025, to prevent overheating and fire risks. If your phone is among the affected devices (usually after 400 full charges), this update will decrease your battery life and slow charging, but Google says it’s for your safety. Not everyone likes it—and for many, it feels unfair or frustrating.
What the Update Actually Does
Starts rolling out Android 16 to every Pixel 6A automatically.
For certain “impacted devices,” special battery controls trigger after 400 charge cycles.
When that limit is reached:
- Battery life drops (shorter use between charges).
- Charging becomes slower.
- Charging indicator may act strange for a short time as the phone adjusts.
Google sends warnings at about 375 cycles so you know changes are coming.
Why Google is Doing This
- Some Pixel 6A batteries overheated or in rare cases, caught fire.
- Limiting battery performance after heavy use helps lower future risk.
- Not all Pixel 6A phones will see these changes—only a specific batch is affected.
- Google offers free battery replacements, $100 cash, or $150 Google Store credit to those with affected devices, but you have to check if your serial number qualifies and act within one year of July 8, 2025.
Problems You’ll Run Into If You Try to Block or Undo the Update
The update is unavoidable: Even if you try to avoid it, it will eventually install as soon as your Pixel 6A gets online.
Google has removed older “factory images”—meaning you can’t easily reinstall an old software version to escape the new rules.
The phone’s bootloader has “anti-rollback” protection. If you attempt to flash an older version, your phone won’t boot, and you could brick it (break it for good).
Android 16 doesn’t allow custom ROM makers to create safe alternatives, since it removed key tools for developers.
Is There a Risky Workaround?
Some advanced users on tech forums claim to bypass these limits by mixing newer bootloaders with older system software files. The process involves:
- Backing up all data (because you will lose everything).
- Downloading both Android 12 and 13 firmware packages.
- Using the newer bootloader (from Android 13) with the older system build (Android 12).
- Editing certain files and scripts before flashing with a PC and following advanced steps in developer mode.
Key Warnings
- This process is complicated and risky.
- If you do it incorrectly, you could break your phone forever.
- You might not be able to access needed files, as Google has pulled many of them from official servers.
- Even if you succeed, there’s a real risk your battery or phone performance will be unpredictable, and it could void any warranty or future support.
What Are Your Good Options?
If your phone is impacted, check your serial number on Google’s official support page.
If eligible, choose one of Google’s support options (free battery, cash, or store credit).
If not eligible yet, monitor your battery cycles so you know when the update impacts you.
Consider getting a battery replacement right after the slowdown activates to regain lost performance.
Final Advice
- Most people should not attempt a rollback or “hack” the update—too risky and now nearly impossible due to security controls.
- The best path is to use Google’s official support before the 1-year window closes.
- If your Pixel 6A is not affected, you won’t lose battery life, and your phone will keep receiving updates.
Staying one step ahead—by checking your eligibility and registering early—will help you avoid the most negative impact and keep your device working safely.