Google support allegedly claims Pixel 4a devices that force-stopped battery update will be automatically reset today

Update 31/01/25 – 04:47 pm (IST): As expected, January 30 has come and gone without any Pixel 4a’s begin forcefully reset. In fact, a Redditor apparently checked in with Google Support via chat and they did confirm that there’s no such information on devices being forcefully reset if they don’t install the battery update. So basically, if you haven’t installed the update, don’t fret. Your phone won’t reset itself.

Original article published on January 30, 2025, follows:

A post on Reddit has got many Pixel fans slightly concerned about Google’s apparent plan to force-reset Pixel 4a devices that bypassed the “battery performance” update rolled out this month. The user shared an email screenshot where Google Support allegedly warned that phones not updated by January 30, 2025, would be wiped automatically. While the claim is quite concerning, many argue the threat is likely a mix-up — but if true, it raises serious concerns about corporate overreach.

Before we go any further, here’s the screenshot of the alleged email from Google Support for reference:

It states that refusing the update would trigger a reset, forcing users to reinstall firmware during setup. Reactions ranged from anger to disbelief. Many questioned whether a low-level support agent misunderstood company policies. “This feels like a customer service error, not an actual plan,” one commenter wrote. Others pointed out that Google has never publicly announced such a drastic measure, making the claim hard to verify. This actually makes sense, why would Google hide this from the official announcement?

Still, the fear isn’t unfounded. The Pixel 4a’s battery update has been a mess since its rollout. Users reported confusing errors like “appeasement already received” even if they never claimed battery replacements. Some were even left with devices that barely made it through a couple of hours of usage. This left many Pixel 4a users who were yet to install the update look for ways to bypass this forced OTA update completely.

In response, Google even went as far as to completely wipe out all previous update files for the Pixel 4a from its official repository. And now, if this information shared by Google’s support team is true, the company might be making a much more drastic move.

Adding to Google’s troubles with this whole incident, a recent investigation by Hector Martin (via Android Authority), a security hacker and developer, sheds light on the update’s technical flaws. Martin found the firmware slashes the battery’s maximum voltage from 4.44V to 3.95V, drastically reducing capacity. He called the update a “real hack job,” noting it specifically impacts Pixel 4a units with LSN-manufactured batteries (marked “8230020501”), while devices with ATL batteries (“8230015901”) remain unaffected.

That said, there’s no proof the company plans to act on this threat. Most agree the email was probably a poorly worded response from an overwhelmed support agent. I’ve seen many similar cases where support representatives share completely false information, so even I’m under the impression that this is just one of those instances. Let’s hope, Google doesn’t prove us wrong, for its own sake!