The Pixel 6a battery issues just won’t go away. What started earlier this year as scattered reports of battery swelling and overheating has now turned into a much bigger concern. In some cases, phones have even melted—and despite Google’s attempts to fix the problem, it seems the risk hasn’t gone away.
A Serious Incident While Charging Overnight
On July 26, 2025, a Reddit user shared a frightening story: their Pixel 6a caught fire while they were asleep. The phone was resting on their nightstand, about 40 centimeters from their head, and was plugged in to charge. Sometime during the night, they woke up to a “horrible smell and a loud noise,” only to discover their phone in flames.
The fire burned through the bedsheets and even left scorch marks on the floor. Photos shared online show a completely charred device—its screen melted, the motherboard exposed, and the phone case partially destroyed. According to the post, the Pixel 6a was running the latest Android 16 update, which includes Google’s battery fix.
Google’s Battery Fix Isn’t Enough?
Earlier this year, Google issued a mandatory Android 16 update for Pixel 6a owners. It added new battery management tools designed to slow down charging and reduce the risk of overheating in phones with more than 400 charge cycles. Unfortunately, that fix doesn’t seem to cover all scenarios.
Despite applying the update, this user’s phone still caught fire. What’s more worrying is that they weren’t alone. Other reports of overheating and even fires have surfaced in recent months—some before the update, some after.
What Pixel 6a Users Should Know
Google does offer free battery replacements for affected Pixel 6a devices, but not all regions have walk-in service centers. The Reddit user involved in the latest incident said they couldn’t get help locally, leaving them stuck with a dangerous phone and no clear path forward.
If you own a Pixel 6a and suspect battery issues—whether it’s overheating, swelling, or abnormal charging—don’t wait. Power down the device and contact Google support immediately. It’s better to stay safe than risk a serious fire.
As of now, Google hasn’t made a public statement about the latest case. We’ll keep an eye out and share updates when they become available.
