Australian authorities have confirmed that a recent mandatory software update for the 2020 Pixel 4a aimed to address battery overheating risks, which could cause fires. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) labeled it a recall, citing firmware changes to “mitigate overheating” after reports of degraded battery performance.
In contrast, Google’s U.S. messaging called the update part of its “Battery Performance Program,” stating it improves stability but reduces battery life and charging efficiency while maintaining safety during use. The ACCC did not advise halting device usage, noting affected Pixel 4a models remain functional despite limitations.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/google-pixel-4as-painful-update-was-due-to-battery-overheating-risk