Google is offering free repairs and (in some countries) payments to fix Pixel 7a battery problems. 9to5Google found a Google support page that details the extended repair program in 40 countries. If your Pixel 7a is noticeably bloating or its battery is draining faster than usual, you can get an in-home battery replacement.
The company says it has “determined that certain Pixel 7a phones may experience unexpected battery swelling.” Signs of this include the phone appearing thicker than usual, a bulging back cover, visible gaps or holes around the edges, and faster-than-expected battery drain.
Before taking action, Google faced complaints on social media about the Pixel 7a problem. For example, in December, user u/Eszence08 wrote in the Pixel subreddit that after failing to get help from Google support for a battery bloat issue, he only received a solution from the company after posting about it on Reddit. Their conclusion: “Write a post; Google is more helpful on Reddit than their chat support.”
Even if your device has one or more of the symptoms, it still needs to be tested before moving forward. You can start by visiting Google’s eligibility page, which will walk you through the steps to determine the eligibility of your specific device. After that, a technician will inspect it before proceeding with the repair.
This last step is necessary because damage not related to the repair, such as liquid ingress, sharp objects, or excessive force, will invalidate the repair result. (Most of these warnings sound like this: “We need to make sure you didn’t open the phone to remove the battery.”) Additionally, out-of-warranty damage, such as cracks in the display or screen protector, will require repair costs that Google will provide before work begins.
When we move to the country breakdown, things get even more complicated. In the US and India, you have two options: Mail your device to Google or take it to an authorized service center. In-person repairs are also available in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Singapore (these countries do not offer mail-in repairs).
The program also applies to those who purchased their device in Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Switzerland, and EEA countries. If your country is not on the list, you will not receive anything.
However, for countries where there is no mailing option (all but the US and India), Google offers alternative “appeasement options”, i.e. payments or in-store credit. If your Pixel 7a is out of warranty, you can get $200 in converted local currency or $300 (also converted to local currency) in the form of a Google discount code to purchase another Pixel phone from the Google Store. If it’s still under warranty, you can get a healthier payout of $456 converted to local currency.
