Google made the update mandatory, which damaged battery performance

Google’s troubled history with battery-related issues is once again under the spotlight. The company, already criticized in the past for incidents like Pixel 6a units overheating during charging, is now facing backlash over a controversial update it released for the Pixel 4a earlier this year. What was initially presented as a fix has now become a major point of frustration for users.

Google makes controversial Pixel 4a battery update mandatory

The battery update, rolled out in January, was meant to improve performance stability on certain Pixel 4a units. Google even promised free battery replacements and other support options for those who installed it. However, instead of boosting performance, the update reportedly made things worse. Many users reported drastically shorter battery life and slower charging speeds after installation.

To make matters worse, the update couldn’t be rolled back. Google removed the ability to revert to previous versions, leaving affected users stuck. Some managed to avoid the patch using developer settings or other workarounds — but that’s no longer an option.

Over the past 48 hours, users have taken to platforms like Reddit to report that even those preventative methods have stopped working. According to widespread posts, Google is now forcing the update onto devices, overriding user controls and pushing the patch automatically, regardless of settings that were previously effective.