Google will now replace swollen Pixel 7a batteries for free or give you a refund

Good news for some Google Pixel 7a owners. If you’ve noticed your phone acting up, perhaps looking a bit thicker than usual or the back cover starting to separate, Google has acknowledged an issue with “unexpected battery swelling” in certain units. In response, the company has launched a new program offering relief to affected customers.

So, what should you look out for? Google highlights a few key symptoms. The most obvious is visible swelling – your phone might look puffy, or the back case could be bulging or even pulling away from the phone’s frame, leaving gaps along the edges. You might also notice your battery life taking a nosedive, draining much faster than normal, or the phone might struggle to charge altogether. If any of this sounds familiar, your Pixel 7a could be one of the impacted devices.

Not every Pixel 7a is affected, however. Google has set up a dedicated registration page where you can check if your specific phone is eligible. You’ll need your phone’s IMEI number to see if you qualify for the program.

If your device is eligible, Google’s primary solution is a one-time battery replacement, completely free of charge. This repair service is available in several countries, including the United States, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Singapore. For users in the US and India, a convenient mail-in repair option is also available.

In other listed locations, you might need to visit a walk-in center. It’s important to know that while the battery replacement itself is free, if your phone has other unrelated damage, like a cracked screen or water damage, you might face repair costs for those issues, or it could potentially disqualify your device from the free battery swap after inspection. Also, this replacement doesn’t extend your phone’s original warranty.

What if you’re outside the main repair countries, or maybe visiting a repair center isn’t practical? Google has thought of that too, offering “appeasement options” – essentially compensation – though these aren’t available in the US and India where repair options cover most users. If your affected Pixel 7a is out of warranty, you could choose between a cash payment of roughly $200 USD (converted to your local currency) or a $300 USD Google Store discount code for a future Pixel phone purchase.

If your phone is still under warranty, the cash offer increases to about $456 USD (again, converted locally). You’ll need to check your eligibility on the registration page to see exactly which options apply to you, and remember, you can only pick one option per device, and the choice is final.

Battery swelling can happen with lithium-ion batteries over time or due to defects, so it’s positive to see Google proactively addressing this for Pixel 7a users. If you own a Pixel 7a, it’s worth checking the symptoms and visiting Google’s registration page to see if you’re eligible for a fix or compensation. Luckily, the Pixel 7a I use doesn’t seem to have any swelling. Fingers crosed!