A recall has been announced for certain Google Pixel 6a smartphones due to concerns that they could overheat and potentially ignite. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reported that there have been incidents leading to serious burn injuries linked to the devices. The primary issue is an overheating battery, which poses a fire risk.
The Google Pixel 6a, launched in July 2022, was sold at prominent retailers like JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, and Officeworks until April this year. However, it’s important to note that not all Pixel 6a devices are affected—only those with the model number G1AZG are involved in this recall.
To address this issue, a firmware update was released on July 8, introducing enhanced battery management features designed to reduce overheating risks. Smartphone owners do not need to return their devices but are encouraged to check if their model is affected. They can verify this by visiting the Google Pixel help page linked in the recall announcement.
The updated battery management system will activate automatically for those impacted once the device has received the new firmware and completed 400 battery cycles. If a device is not subjected to the recall, this firmware update will not alter its battery management performance.
Additionally, Google has indicated that some users may qualify for repair reimbursements, cash payments, or discounts on Google Store hardware as part of the follow-up measures.
For ongoing updates, consumers can refer to the official Google Pixel resources and stay informed about device safety and support.