The battery may overheat.

An automatic firmware update to Android 16 was rolled out to Pixel 6a devices in Australia on 8 July 2025.

Google advises that the firmware update provides new battery management features that mitigate the risk of overheating.

Consumers do not need to return their devices.

[–] thanksforallthefish@literature.cafe 11 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

A product recall has a specific legal meaning in Australia (and the US).

A recall means the manufacturer and the distributer have a legal obligation to promptly make available a fix and to do so at no charge.

Tesla in the US has also addressed 99% of their recalls with over the air fixes. They're still federally mandated recalls

Edit to add - and failure to promptly provide a fix in Australia means the customer is entitled to a full refund of orginal purchase price - even on many year old goods - which gives the manufacturer a strong incentive to not faff around

[–] zero_gravitas@aussie.zone 2 points 5 days ago

I'm guessing it's phrased as a 'recall' because either
A) It's an 'optional recall' and you could return the phone if you want (in which case they will probably just factory reset and update the firmware and give it back to you)
B) The terminology the ACCC uses (possibly must use due to legislation) is old and just doesn't neatly fit the case of a fault that can be addressed by an over-the-air firmware fix

[–] kudra@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 days ago

Hmm. I've recently put GrapheneOS on mine. Not sure what to do...