[HN Gopher] I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the ...
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       I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the Pixel 4a ruined
       it
        
       Hi, I posted this as a comment here and just like on Reddit, it's
       not showing, but I'll try again.  I'm semi homeless and the forced
       Pixel 4a battery update made my phone unusable and I'm in a state
       of tears. What can I do? Reddit deleted my post (I am hoping it's
       not because of Google employees).  I don't want to get too long
       into what happened in my life, but I had a Pixel 4a and everything
       was running great. Even when I was on the streets homeless I was
       able to charge it. I'm still struggling in and out, and apparently
       there was an update that came automatically to my phone. I checked
       and talked to live support in the library and they said it was just
       a battery update and it will last a bit less. That wasn't a big
       deal I thought but now the update came and my battery went from
       many hours to maybe half an hour now and doesn't charge at all or
       very slowly. I have interviews and some other small jobs that I
       have to do and just hard life right now and I do not have any money
       for this. I am a bit emotional so I asked while tearing up to
       Google support why they did this and I can't afford this my life is
       in shambles but they didn't help me. Even with the battery
       replacement I do not live near any local shops and mailing it in
       would not be possible for my situation. I bought this phone when my
       life was good and I only like this one and want to use this one.
       All my stuff is on here and I don't know too much about phones so I
       just want this to work. I don't have money to fix this. I feel like
       the phone will die any second. What can be done? I didn't know they
       would do this. My life just keeps getting worse... I always feared
       my phone getting stolen on the streets but never thought Google
       would steal my phone.  What can I do? I don't have much minutes or
       data and can't afford it, is there a number I can call Google
       directly? I don't want to play with the phone and do anything weird
       my life is on it and can't back it up.  Thank you all.
        
       Author : computehyper
       Score  : 33 points
       Date   : 2025-01-29 21:45 UTC (1 hours ago)
        
       | 999900000999 wrote:
       | I vouched for this, since this is the type of issue our community
       | should be concerned with.
       | 
       | If you can find 12$, buy a battery pack from Walmart.
       | 
       | https://www.walmart.com/ip/1610764819?sid=23a91a6a-7f0b-4873...
       | 
       | This will keep you going for the time being. Best of luck!
       | 
       | Edit: Here's Google official solution. Looks like a free
       | replacement battery
       | 
       | https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861
        
         | computehyper wrote:
         | Thank you for your help.
         | 
         | I can't get a replacement because I was late and they told me
         | that the battery will deplete only a little but I can barely
         | use it and the charging is super slow. But I am not near any
         | battery replacement stores so it wouldn't work. I called one
         | that is still far away who told me that all their stores are
         | out of stock and will be for awhile. And that they've had
         | problems with some replacements, and that Google isn't paying
         | them for screen replacement, as that will likely occur during
         | replacement as the screen will break, so that will cost another
         | $50 or so.
         | 
         | I have a battery pack and it doesn't work well, the battery is
         | considered dead all around as the apps show on the phone.
        
       | ChrisArchitect wrote:
       | Related thread:
       | 
       |  _Google Pixel 4a old firmware is gone, trapping users on the
       | buggy battery update_
       | 
       | https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42865619
        
       | texas1775 wrote:
       | St Vincent DePaul in your city can help you.
        
       | computehyper wrote:
       | For those who are unaware, Google released a forced update on the
       | Pixel 4a that depleted the battery, and is not usable. They
       | offered a battery replacement but they are all out of batteries
       | and there are still issues so many people cannot get it replaced.
       | Google is not helping and telling people to buy a new phone.
       | 
       | See: https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/google-pixel-4as-
       | old-f...
       | 
       | https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42865619
        
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       (page generated 2025-01-29 23:01 UTC)