Google is taking another precautionary measure to address battery overheating concerns in its Pixel devices. Earlier this year, the company rolled out a similar update for the Pixel 4a, reducing its battery capacity due to overheating risks. Now, the Pixel 6a will also receive a similar treatment. Reports have surfaced of Pixel 6a units catching fire while charging, prompting Google to implement a change to reduce the risk of this happening. 
The upcoming update will lower the battery’s voltage, a move aimed at enhancing safety.
The change will only affect Pixel 6a units that have undergone over 400 charging cycles, as confirmed by a string in the latest Android 16 QPR 1 beta release. Google has acknowledged the issue and is contacting affected users with further instructions. The update will not only reduce the battery capacity but also throttle charging performance to prevent overheating. In the case of the Pixel 4a, the maximum voltage was reduced from 4.45V to 3.95V, which resulted in a 56% drop in charging capacity. A similar reduction is expected for the Pixel 6a.
If you own a Pixel 6a, you can check the health of your battery by navigating to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If your phone shows any warning signs, it may be a good idea to replace the battery at an authorized service center. Google is also offering free replacements for Pixel 7a units with swollen batteries. While some users may be frustrated by this situation, the company’s proactive approach aims to prevent more severe issues in the future.