Several Google Pixel 7a users have recently reported experiencing significant battery drain and device overheating issues. The problem appears to be linked to the Google app, which is consuming an excessive amount of battery in the background, leading to increased device temperature. Reddit and Google support forums are only two examples of the online venues where users have gone to express their problems and look for answers.
The reports of battery drain and overheating issues with the Google Pixel 7a came to light when a Google Pixel 6 Pro user shared their frustration with Engadget. The user explained how their Pixel 6 Pro device overheated even while idle on a wireless charger for just an hour. A screenshot showcasing the phone’s battery usage clearly demonstrated that the Google app was responsible for consuming a significant portion of the battery power in the background. Since then, numerous Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a users have echoed similar complaints, indicating that the problem is widespread among these device models. In addition to the battery drain, users have noticed that their devices are running hotter than usual.
Reverting to earlier iterations of the Google app was a tactic used by some users to try and solve the problem, however this was unsuccessful. Even resetting the phone’s settings did not alleviate the problem for affected users. In certain cases, the devices were not charging at all. However, rolling back to previous versions of the Google app resulted in a slight improvement in charging performance. Nonetheless, the underlying issue persisted, as the Google app continued to drain the phone’s battery in the background.
According to a report from 9to5Google, the battery drain and overheating issues on Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 devices seem to have emerged after installing the May 2023 security patch. Google started receiving complaints from users about these problems on May 6, which prompted the corporation to look into the subject further.
In an attempt to identify the root cause, one Reddit user undertook an extensive investigation, engaging in discussions with support and conducting internal troubleshooting.They hypothesised that the Google app might be to blame for the energy depletion in light of their findings. Other users have also speculated that the Android System Intelligence service could be a possible cause of the issue.
In response to the reported problems, a Google spokesperson acknowledged that a recent backend change in the Google app inadvertently led to accelerated battery drain on a subset of Android devices. Google swiftly rolled out a fix as soon as they became aware of the issue, and affected users should observe their devices returning to normal behavior immediately. Importantly, this fix does not require users to update the Google app.
It would be wise for people who recently bought a Google Pixel 7aA to delay installing the most recent May security update until more details are available about its potential effects on device performance, given the recent battery drain and overheating issues reported by Google Pixel users.
While the Google Pixel series has generally received positive reviews and offers a definitive Android experience for many users, it has occasionally faced software issues that have impacted its overall reputation. Burn-in issues plagued the Pixel 2 XL, call quality and microphone issues plagued the Pixel 3, battery issues plagued the Pixel 4 XL, and overheating concerns plagued the Pixel 5A.
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To prevent your Pixel phone from becoming excessively warm or hot, there are several precautions you can take:
Limit resource-intensive activities:
Avoid using features or apps that heavily utilize your phone’s resources, such as making video calls, recording videos, or playing media. These activities can generate significant heat and contribute to battery drain.
Avoid exposing your phone to strong sunshine and extreme heat
Doing so could result in an overheating problem. Avoid leaving your phone in enclosed or inadequately ventilated spaces, such as a heated car, as this can make the heat-related problems worse.
Adjust display brightness
Reduce your phone’s display brightness to minimize power consumption and heat generation. Reduce the brightness by opening the Settings app on your phone, going to Display, and selecting a darker setting.
Connect to a dependable Wi-Fi network
To avoid wasting mobile data by using Wi-Fi instead of it. Using Wi-Fi consumes less power compared to mobile data, which can help reduce battery drain and heat generation.
Optimize app usage
Close unnecessary apps running in the background, as they can contribute to increased resource usage and heat generation. Monitor and manage your app usage to ensure that only essential apps are active.
If your Google Pixel 7a still overheats or has a severe battery drain, take these additional measures:
Disconnect from power source
If your phone becomes too hot, disconnect it from its power source if it’s plugged in. This can help reduce further heat generation and potential damage.
Put your phone in a cooler place
Put your phone somewhere cooler so that it can naturally cool down. Avoid using it until it has cooled down to prevent any potential performance issues or damage.
Contact Pixel support
If the overheating and battery drain issues persist despite taking the aforementioned precautions and troubleshooting steps, reach out to Google’s Pixel support for further assistance. They can provide specialized guidance and solutions tailored to your specific device.
You can contact Pixel support.
By following these guidelines and staying informed about potential software updates or fixes from Google, Google Pixel 7a users can mitigate the battery drain and overheating issues, ensuring a smoother and more reliable user experience with their devices.
