Google released a terrible update for it, but its way of handling the situation might actually be even worse. First, the main news. Google began rolling out a surprise update for Pixel 4a users.

We’re talking about the Pixel 4a, which launched back in 2020. Followed shortly thereafter by the Pixel 4a 5G, these represented some of our favorite budget-conscious Android picks at the time.

Google made the battery update it released for the Pixel 4a models in January mandatory for all. Here are the details.

Early this year, Google rolled out a surprise Android 13-based Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program for the device. It's the first update to come since they ended support in September 2023.

Google's update to affected Pixel 4a devices drastically reduced their charging potential, essentially by half. One Ars staffer saw their Pixel 4a battery life drop to less than two hours on a ...

In this case, Google is also offering owners with affected 4A devices their choice of compensation: They can opt for a free battery swap, a $50 payday, or a $100 credit toward a new Pixel phone ...

Google's " Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program," announced in early January, told owners that an automatic update would, for some "Impacted Devices," reduce their battery's runtime and charging ...

Google has removed older firmware for the Pixel 4a, leaving users with no official way to downgrade from the problematic update. We advise users not to download rehosted firmware, as it could have ...

So, if you get your Pixel 4a's battery replaced, you won't be eligible for a $100 Google Store coupon or a $50 payment from Google. Pixel 4a users have until January 8, 2026, to make your decision.

Not all Pixel 4a are affected by these battery issues, so Google removing three years of updates for everyone is a pretty aggrieve step, but there is no real way to gate who can download/install ...

The last update for the phone —based on Android 13—arrived in 2023, and we thought that was it, but no. Surprisingly, Google started 2025 by sending out a battery-focused update for the Pixel 4a.