Urgent update for Google Pixel 6a to address risk of overheating, fire

Consumers with this phone should check their devices to make sure a critical update has been applied to stop potentially dangerous overheating.

An urgent update has been pushed to a range of Google phones due to the risk they could overheat and even cause fires.

Product Safety Australia (PSA) said incidents involving Google Pixel 6a devices have resulted in “serious burn injuries”.

A mandatory update has been pushed to a number of phones to reduce the risk, and devices only need to be updated rather than returned.

Owners of a Chalk, Sage or Charcoal coloured Pixel 6a device sold between June 16, 2022 and April 10, 2025 is likely to observe the fault, which PSA said can “pose a risk of fire and/or burns to a user”.

A range of Google Pixel smartphones have received urgent system updates over risks they could catch fire and burn users. Picture: Supplied

The firmware update was released on 8 July, which included battery management features which mitigate the risk.

Not all Pixel 6a devices are affected by the issue, and the new battery management system will be activated once affected devices reach 400 battery cycles.

One battery cycle is the length taken for a mobile device to charge up to 100 per cent and then use that full charge.

People whose phones are affected may be eligible for compensation from Google, and can check online to see if they can get a repair, cash payment or discount credit.

The phones have been sold at major retailers across the country, including Telstra, Optus, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks and Harvey Norman.

Originally published as Urgent update for Google Pixel 6a to address risk of overheating, fire