topic Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait? in Android Devices

Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

robjordan — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 12:51:53 GMT

Hi,

My Google Pixel 4A is eligible for free battery replacement under the so-called "appeasement programme". Google's repair pages suggest that the battery swap can be done at EE stores, some "same day" others "7-10 days". I would like to check that if I book an appointment at a store showing "same day" eg Portsmouth, whether it will be possible to do the battery change (a) while I wait, and (b) free of charge.

Thanks!

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

Chris_B — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 14:05:58 GMT

@robjordan if the store states that it does same day repairs, then yes it will be the same day they might not be able to do it straight away as it depends what other devices they are working on.

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

turntoport — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 09:24:35 GMT

Rob; i suggest you call the area 'while-u-wait' branch and ask them directly - i did (Pompey EE) and was told it would not be same-day turnaround as the phones get sent on to a.n.other place (didn't quite catch where they said, Beaconsfield or somewhere similar-sounding) for the work... Updates installed, my wife's phone is now misbehaving. Mine is rather reduced (available) battery life...

good luck

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

robjordan — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 06:08:56 GMT

Thanks for the reply, appreciate you taking time to share info. So I guess we can't rely on the status of stores in the Google list. My nearest store (Eastleigh) says 7-10 days, and it's a trek to get to Portsmouth. It would be disappointing to get there and find it still needs to be sent away. Maybe I just have to bite the bullet and have it sent away.

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

UTFC-55 — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 18:08:55 GMT

I went into an EE store today and was told by an advisor that they could not replace the battery for my pixel 4a after the software update. My battery now drains so quicky. Why have Google emailed saying go to your nearest store to have it replaced, when I was told the complete opposite. Who is telling the truth , I would like clarification please from EE.

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

Graywallis — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 18:06:55 GMT

I had mine replaced today, taking around 2hrs 20min. The Google published list as to who can do it 'while you wait' in Edinburgh is not correct. Luckily there was another option in the same shopping mall just along from the non-compliant repairer. I used iSmash which is part of the Sky empire. Prior to replacement the only effect after the OS update, was a much reduced battery life. I have yet to evaluate the new battery.

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

sethB — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:29:32 GMT

They would need to have the battery in stock AND be advised by google to authorise replacement under the scheme. It's a Google scheme, not EE's responsibility, and only EE stores are approved for some reason. The only ones within a day trip pf me don't have the part in stock (I doubt any will - very unlikely for what is considered an old phone). The ones within an acceptable distance of me aren't in the scheme. Any of them, whether Google says 'walk in' or not, will most likely end up sending it back to the repair centre who DO have parts. I spoke to various EE stores, I spoke 'a bit grumpily' with Google, and Google couldn't provide any options which did in fact solve the problem nor have any way of identifying a store who would have the battery in stock and hence be 'walk in' in reality. So not exactly impressive. Overall cost and hassle of just buying a used Pixel 5 (same size, probably just enough 'better' than it won't feel a total waste) is probably less than trying to replace, and claim the derisory £40 ($50) 'appeasement' instead.

After a couple of days I'm finding the battery behaviour is improving. I think it's more to do with calibration than anything, so the chips or coding in just *some* batteries is going to be not playing well with the upgrade. Still reduced and still a bit oidd (no 'fast charging' happens, seems to randomly all night or an hour to fully charge, won't get to 100% without unplugging then plugging back in again...). But it's way better than post upgrade day 1 when it got to 0% in a few hours, and it lasting a bit over a day again.

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

alihuds — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 12:53:05 GMT

My local EE shop said they weren't able to do it yet as they hadn't officially had the go ahead from Google. Said if they input the phones serial number it would come up as out of warranty so couldn't be done under their free repair scheme. I was advised to contact Google, haven't heard back from them yet

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

Lennox1972 — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 17:51:22 GMT

I took mine to the Bolton store, and the said they will charge me £70 and would have to send my phone away for 3 weeks, even though it's a repair same day store, no help at all.

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

alihuds — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 22:13:01 GMT

Google have now emailed today to say that my location (UK) isn't covered under the replacement programme....?! Seems very odd, going to query it tomorrow

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

robjordan — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 16:36:46 GMT

To follow up on my original enquiry here's how things went for me. Due to all the uncertainty about EE's ability to do the swap, I followed up in the suggestion of @Graywallis above and contacted iSmash. Fortunately I was in Glasgow visiting for a few days, so I was able to book a walk-in appointment with the iSmash store. I handed the phone over at 10:00. They did a full diagnostic while I was there to check for any other problems, then told me I could collect after 16:00. I duly picked up at the end of the afternoon and everything has been perfect. No payment required. At the end of a long, busy phone day I had 40+% battery remaining. Although it has been a big hassle dealing with this unexpected battery debacle, I've ended up with my old, trusty phone with a good-as-new battery.

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

Graywallis — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 21:02:22 GMT

It's good to know my advice was helpful. Following the replacement I now have 2 full days following a charge as opposed to barely a day beforehand. I did find following the replacement the brightness had been set to maximum so I immediately turned it down to conserve battery.

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

robjordan — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 22:57:57 GMT

Oh and I forgot to say, they factory reset the phone, so make sure you have recent backups of Android and WhatsApp.

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

J_J_G — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 22:10:17 GMT

I took my immaculate pixel 4a into the ee store after using the eligibility check sent by google (confirmed £0 cost). The guy said he had already done a few that week specifically for these battery replacements. Said it needs to be sent away to their EE repair centre. Got an email today from repair centre to ring EE store to discuss the quotation for an out of warranty repair. They want £230! Phone is being sent back unfixed. Guy at EE store said nothing more they can do. Managed to speak to someone at Google who is is putting me in touch with another department who can hopefully help. Might try the ismash place if other people have had success with getting it done for free.

Re: Pixel 4A "appeasement programme" battery change, free? while i wait?

alihuds — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 14:07:02 GMT

I got my battery replaced by iSmash in the end - I paid £10 which included Tracked postage both ways. You can book it via their website if your phone is eligible for the free battery replacement.

Had several emails back and forth with google where they didn't seem to understand that my phone was eligible, but EE were saying they didn't have the authorisation to do the repair for free. Glad it's sorted, battery is great now.