The Pixel 6a battery fiasco has been something to watch unfold. Earlier this year, reports surfaced of Pixel 6a batteries malfunctioning, with some units even melting.
In response, Google rolled out a mandatory Android 16 update for the Pixel 6a. It introduced new “battery management features” that reduce charging speeds and battery capacity for some affected units with more than 400 charge cycles to prevent overheating. However, it appears that even with these fixes, some Pixel 6a units are still at risk of catching fire.
As reported by a Reddit user (via Android Authority), their Pixel 6a caught fire while they were sleeping on July 26, 2025. The phone was reportedly placed about 40 cm from their head on a nightstand and plugged in for charging.
However, the user woke up to a “horrible smell and a loud noise” to notice their Pixel 6a had caught fire. The user said their bedsheets caught fire, and the incident caused additional damage to their floor.
Pixel 6a fire reports are still coming in
The user shared photos clearly showing a burned Pixel 6a, with what appears to be a melted screen, case, and the phone’s motherboard. The phone appears to have been inside a case when the incident occurred.
According to the user, their Pixel 6a was running the latest Android 16 update, which includes Google’s battery fix. Despite this, the battery still caught fire. While Google recommends a free battery replacement for affected devices, the user noted that walk-in replacements were not available in their region.
But, this is not an isolated case. There have been multiple reports of Pixel 6a units overheating or catching fire. However, the real concern now is that this happened even after installing Google’s mandatory safety update.
If you own a Pixel 6a and suspect it may be affected, we strongly recommend getting the battery replaced as soon as possible.
There is no official word from Google yet, but we will update you as soon as more information becomes available.
