Did you just receive a Pixel 6a recall or 'Do not use' email from Amazon? Here’s why it’s happening now

If you are a Google Pixel 6a owner, specifically in Europe, your inbox might have delivered a shock recently. A wave of reports is surfacing from users in the UK, Germany, and Spain who have received warning emails from Amazon, EE and other retailers stating that their device is subject to a “Recall” due to overheating risks, accompanied by stern “Do not use” warnings.

This sudden influx of notifications has left some users confused, especially those whose devices have been functioning normally. Why is this happening now, months after the initial battery issues were reported? And why are Google’s own support tools telling some “recalled” users that they aren’t eligible for a replacement?

While the battery overheating saga for the Google Pixel 6a began earlier this year, the current wave of retailer emails appears to be triggered by a specific regulatory update in the UK.

On November 14, 2025, the UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) officially published a Product Safety Report (No. 2509-0317). This report formally categorizes the Pixel 6a battery issue as a “Medium” risk level hazard, noting that the batteries may overheat during normal use, presenting a risk of fire.

It appears that the publication of this official government notice triggered automated compliance systems at major retailers like Amazon and EE. To adhere to safety regulations regarding products sold between January 2022 and August 2023, Amazon sent out automated warnings to affected buyers. The disconnect, however, lies in the language used.

While Amazon’s email frames this as a “Recall” with a strict “Do not use” instruction, the OPSS report actually categorizes the corrective action as a “Modification programme,” referring to the software update Google already deployed. The situation has become particularly frustrating for users trying to act on these warnings. Google’s primary fix for this issue was a mandatory firmware update that throttles the battery capacity and charging speed once the device hits 400 charge cycles. This software “safety valve” is intended to prevent the overheating that leads to fire.

Consequently, several users who click the link to check their serial number on Google’s support site are being told they are not eligible for a repair or replacement. This has created a chaotic customer support loop: Amazon tells users the phone is dangerous and should be returned; users go to Google, who tells them their specific device doesn’t qualify for a hardware replacement; and when users return to Amazon seeking a refund, they are often directed back to the manufacturer.

Reports from forums highlight that support staff are struggling to manage the nuance. Some users claim Amazon is denying refunds by incorrectly stating one was already issued, while others report that physical repair shops are demanding deposits or refusing to handle the devices entirely without data backups.

If you received the email, the most important step is to verify your status on Google’s dedicated battery support page. If the system marks your device as ineligible for replacement, it generally implies that your phone has either already received the safety software patch, meaning Google considers it safe to use, albeit potentially with reduced performance, or that your specific unit was not part of the compromised batch.

However, if you are experiencing significant overheating or are unsatisfied with a throttled device, you may have grounds to press for a refund by citing the November 14 OPSS report date as new evidence of a defect, though experiences with support currently vary wildly.

Did you receive a Pixel 6a recall notice from Amazon, EE or other retailer this week? Let us know in the comments if the Google support page let you claim a replacement or if you hit a dead end.