Pixel 4a replacement battery

Pixel 4a Battery Fix: Restore Full Battery Life

If your Google Pixel 4a suddenly went from lasting a full day to dying by lunchtime, you were not imagining it and nothing was wrong with the way you used your phone. In January 2025, Google pushed a mandatory software update that deliberately reduced the battery capacity, charging speed, and maximum charging voltage on a large number of Pixel 4a phones. Google's compensation program has since closed, which means for most owners the only remaining way to get their battery life back is to replace the battery. This guide explains exactly what happened, what it did to your battery, and how a fresh replacement cell can restore full runtime.

What actually happened to the Pixel 4a battery

On January 8, 2025, Google released an over-the-air update to the original Pixel 4a. Google branded the effort the "Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program" and described it as a fix to "improve the stability of your battery's performance." The company's stated reason was safety: a subset of Pixel 4a units carried battery cells that could overheat, and Google chose to throttle those cells in software rather than risk a fire.

It is worth being precise about the language here, because it has been widely misreported. Google itself never called this a recall. The "recall" framing comes from Australia's regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which formally published a recall notice warning that "an overheating battery could pose a risk of fire and/or burns to a user." There is no confirmed United States CPSC recall of the Pixel 4a. So the accurate way to describe it is this: Google ran a "Battery Performance Program," and at least one national regulator classified the same issue as a recall.

Which phones and which batteries were affected

The update targeted the original Pixel 4a (4G/LTE) only. The Pixel 4a 5G was not affected, and neither were other Pixel models. Even among original Pixel 4a phones, only a subset were throttled, and the reason is genuinely interesting.

Pixel 4a phones shipped with battery cells from two different suppliers:

  • Lishen (LSN) cells were the affected batteries. These were throttled by the update. On the cell label they carry part number 8230020501.
  • Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) cells were spared. According to independent teardowns and reverse-engineering research, ATL units were left alone (reportedly getting only a battery-health flag past roughly 800 charge cycles). These carry part number 8230015901.

According to independent reverse-engineering research (compiled in the bmaupin Pixel 4a battery research project and reported by Android Authority), Google's software reads the cell type from the battery serial number and applies the aggressive throttle only to Lishen cells. This detail is the crux of the whole story, and it is why a battery replacement can do more than just give you a newer cell, as explained further below.

The update itself shipped as an Emergency Maintenance Release, build TQ3A.230805.001.S2, based on Android 13. Google was so committed to getting it installed that in late July 2025 it force-pushed the update onto holdouts who had blocked it through developer options, reigniting frustration among owners who thought they had escaped it.

What the update did to your battery life

On affected Lishen units, the change was drastic. The maximum charging voltage was cut from roughly 4.44V down to 3.95V. Because usable battery capacity is directly tied to how high you can safely charge the cell, that voltage cut roughly halved the phone's real-world runtime.

Independent teardowns and outlet testing reported usable capacity falling from around 3,080 mAh to somewhere near 1,540 mAh. Depending on whether you measure by raw capacity or by voltage headroom, different publications framed the loss as anywhere from about 44% to 56%. The safe, honest way to say it: the update cut usable capacity by roughly 40 to 50 percent.

It did not stop at capacity. The update also:

  • Roughly halved maximum charging speed, so the smaller battery also charged more slowly.
  • Disabled Adaptive Charging and the charging-time estimate.
  • Recalibrated the on-screen battery indicator to the new, reduced capacity, so "100%" now meant far fewer real hours.

The net effect, echoed across thousands of complaints on Reddit and XDA, was that phones which had comfortably lasted a full day were suddenly down to a few hours. Tech press was blunt about it, with Android Authority calling it the "update of death" and Notebookcheck labeling it the "update from hell." Importantly, Google never shipped a software rollback, so the throttle remains on affected devices to this day unless the hardware is changed.

Google's remedy, and why it is no longer available

To its credit, Google did offer compensation, which it internally called an "appeasement." Owners of impacted devices could choose one of three options.

Google's remedy options vs. a DIY replacement

Option What you got Catch Available now?
Free battery replacement Mail-in or walk-in swap at authorized partners in select countries Reportedly could still leave a throttled-type cell in the phone; program closed No — registration ended Jan 8, 2026
$50 cash payment Roughly $50 USD paid via Payoneer Reportedly netted around $47 after handling and required sharing sensitive personal and financial details No — registration ended Jan 8, 2026
$100 Google Store credit Discount code toward a new Pixel Behaved like a standard promo code, not stackable with store sales; often only offset tax No — registration ended Jan 8, 2026
DIY battery replacement (today) A fresh, full-capacity cell installed by you Requires about 30 to 60 minutes and basic care with adhesive and a fragile display Yes — available now

Eligibility was limited to confirmed "impacted devices," and owners had exactly one year from the January 8, 2025 rollout to register and pick an option. That window closed on January 8, 2026. The program is now shut to new claims. If you missed it, or if you bought the phone secondhand after the deadline, Google's remedy is simply no longer on the table. That single fact is why replacing the battery yourself has become the practical answer.

The fix that works now: replace the battery

Here is the part that turns a frustrating situation into a genuinely fixable one. Because the throttle is triggered by the type of battery cell the software detects, and not by a blanket phone-wide cap, physically swapping the cell changes the equation.

According to independent testing and reverse-engineering (the bmaupin research project and Android Authority's investigation, not an official Google statement), installing a fresh non-Lishen replacement cell restores the full charging voltage and full usable capacity, because the software does not apply the aggressive mitigation to an Amperex-type cell. In other words, a good replacement battery can do something Google's own free swap reportedly might not: it both gives you a brand-new cell and sidesteps the software throttle entirely.

We want to be careful and honest here, because that is what this situation deserves. This "restores full capacity and bypasses the throttle" outcome is strongly and consistently reported by independent teardowns, but it has never been officially confirmed by Google. Treat it as well-documented community findings rather than an ironclad guarantee. What is certain either way is the simpler truth: your original throttled cell is now old and capacity-limited, and a fresh replacement battery restores runtime.

Ready to fix it? You can get the correct cell here:

DIY battery replacement: what the job involves

The Pixel 4a battery replacement is a moderate repair. It is well within reach for a careful first-timer, but it is not a snap-off back cover, so plan for it. iFixit's official guide (Guide 139563) breaks it into about 32 steps, and the whole job typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.

What you need

  • A T3 Torx driver
  • A suction cup and thin opening picks
  • A spudger and tweezers
  • A heat source (an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun) to soften the display and battery adhesive
  • 90% isopropyl alcohol on hand, in case an adhesive pull-tab breaks

The overview

  1. Discharge below 25% first. A charged lithium cell is more dangerous if punctured, so run the battery down before you open the phone.
  2. Heat and open the display. The Pixel 4a has a glued OLED display. Warm the edges, use the suction cup to create a gap, and slide picks around the perimeter to release the adhesive. The display flex cables are fragile, so go slowly.
  3. Disconnect the battery. Remove the shields and disconnect the battery connector before doing anything else.
  4. Release the battery adhesive. The battery is held down by adhesive pull-tabs. Pull them slowly and evenly. If a tab snaps, apply a little 90% isopropyl alcohol underneath to dissolve the remaining glue rather than prying, which can bend or puncture the cell.
  5. Install the new cell, reassemble, and test. Seat the replacement, reconnect, and power on to confirm the phone reads the new battery before you re-seal the display.

One warning that saves returns and headaches: the Pixel 4a (4G) battery is not interchangeable with the Pixel 4a 5G battery. They are different parts. Make sure you are ordering for the original 4a. The correct cell is model G025J-B (associated with device codes G025J and GA02099), rated at about 3,140 mAh (roughly 3,080 mAh typical), 3.87V, near 11.9 Wh.

Is it worth it versus buying a new phone?

A replacement battery costs a small fraction of a new phone. If your Pixel 4a is otherwise working, the screen is good, and it still gets the apps you need, spending a little on a battery to recover full-day runtime is an easy call financially.

There is also a real environmental case. A perfectly functional phone that was deliberately throttled in software does not belong in a drawer or a landfill. Replacing one battery keeps a working device in service for years longer and avoids the considerable resources that go into manufacturing a brand-new smartphone. In a situation where the manufacturer's compensation window has closed, a DIY repair is the outcome that keeps the value in your hands rather than writing the phone off.

FAQ

Was the Pixel 4a recalled?

Not by Google, and not in the United States as far as public records show. Google ran what it called the "Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program" and never used the word recall. Australia's consumer regulator, the ACCC, did formally publish a recall notice over the overheating risk. There is no confirmed US CPSC recall.

Will replacing the battery fix the throttling?

Independent teardowns and reverse-engineering strongly indicate that installing a fresh non-Lishen (Amperex-type) cell restores full charging voltage and capacity, because the software throttle keys off the detected cell type rather than capping the whole phone. This is well-documented by the community but has not been officially confirmed by Google, so treat it as reported rather than guaranteed. Either way, a new battery replaces the old throttled cell and restores runtime.

How much battery life did the update remove?

On affected units the maximum charging voltage dropped from roughly 4.44V to 3.95V, cutting usable capacity by roughly 40 to 50 percent — reported figures fall from around 3,080 mAh to near 1,540 mAh. Charging speed was also roughly halved. In practice, full-day phones dropped to a few hours.

Is Google's compensation still available?

No. Registration for the Battery Performance Program ran for one year from the January 8, 2025 rollout and closed on January 8, 2026. New claims for the free battery replacement, $50 cash, or $100 store credit are no longer accepted, which is why DIY replacement is now the main remaining fix.

Which Pixel 4a models were affected?

Only the original Pixel 4a (4G/LTE), and only the subset of units that shipped with Lishen (LSN) battery cells. The Pixel 4a 5G was not affected, and units with Amperex (ATL) cells were reportedly spared.

Is the Pixel 4a battery replacement hard to do yourself?

It is a moderate repair. iFixit's official guide lists about 32 steps and it typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. You will need a T3 Torx driver, a suction cup, opening picks, a spudger, and a heat source to soften the glued display and battery. Discharge the phone below 25% before opening, and keep 90% isopropyl alcohol handy in case an adhesive pull-tab breaks.

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