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I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the Pixel 4a ruined it

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the Pixel 4a ruined it

#11

Post by computehyper »

yial wrote: post #9

I’m not sure if this is helpful, so please feel free to ignore. My email is in my profile. I’m happy to send to you, with instructions to hold at a post office of your choice: * several portable power banks with cables * a small laptop. (I have a few, you can tell me which one is best for you if interested ). If you’re interested, please shoot me an email.

Thank you for your help, but what primary concerns me is my phone. It has all my files and important stuff, power banks can't help this phone as the battery is diminished incredibly low. I can go to the library for things like these so it's okay.

I thank you again but this is all on Google. Pixel 4a was such a good phone for me and it's meant for the poor like. I don't know why they did this. I just want my phone back. So many people who lost their jobs can't afford to buy a new phone.

Re: I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the Pixel 4a ruined it

#12

Post by computehyper »

zevon wrote: post #10

You could install another operating system on the phone. For example, as far as I know GrapheneOS ( https://grapheneos.org ) still has limited support for the Pixel 4a and apparantly does not include the new changes google introduced at this time (there are already a few threads about this in the GrapheneOS forums). There is probably a Hackerspace or a Makerspace somewhere around and it's very likely that you will fi…

My files on my Pixel 4a are very important, and the battery barely lasts so even upgrading wouldn't work, it will surely mess up, and I am scared to lose or screw anything up with the phone. I also heard that doing anything weird like this can brick your phone. I also have bank apps that do not work on anything else apparently.

I wish Google would have told the truth so I had time to prepare. Luckily the news sites now are talking about how the update made the phone bust and Google has no batteries right now.

If someone can post this on the pixel4a and GooglePixel subreddit on Reddit I would be grateful as reddit is thinking I am a bot. I would hope Google fixes this issue for everyone, as I know there are many people like me in the same predicament.

Re: I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the Pixel 4a ruined it

#13

Post by computehyper »

ChrisArchitect wrote: post #3

Related thread: Google Pixel 4a old firmware is gone, trapping users on the buggy battery update https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42865619

If anyone can post this on Reddit, on the pixel4a and GooglePixel subreddit, I would appreciate it. Reddit auto bans new accounts and I can't post. Google has no more stock for their batteries, and people are left in the dark...

Re: I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the Pixel 4a ruined it

#15

Post by computehyper »

netsharc wrote: post #7
computehyper wrote: post #6

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?…

It's kinda insane that they can't do a "undo last commit; git push; tell the CI/CD to push a new OS release" procedure. But there's a probably Fight-Club-esque math (1) there that make it "If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one.". Congrats Google, your procedures have made you an overweight gorilla that isn't agile enough... (1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiB8GVMNJkE

Yes, and all the Pixel 4a factory images are wiped (except the last one) https://developers.google.com/android/images#sunfish

Re: I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the Pixel 4a ruined it

#16

Post by chiengineer »

computehyper wrote: post #8
texas1775 wrote: post #4

St Vincent DePaul in your city can help you.

I've been to many religious places and they've been very helpful. But this is more of a phone issue... I just want my phone back. I don't want a new phone... I've never heard of this ever happening ever.

Dude you need a new phone

And yeah that sucks but guess what. Back up your data.

And it won't happen again

Re: I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the Pixel 4a ruined it

#17

Post by rusty_venture »

I'm sorry to have to say this, but this whole thread reeks of someone refusing to help themselves. Several people have given you legitimately helpful advice and you have just come back with excuses as to why it won't work for you. This includes:

- Using a wireless power bank. Android phones will work with a completely dead/useless battery if they are plugged into a power bank. If your power bank doesn't work that way, then you need a new power bank.

- Using a different device. Of course your important files are on this phone. Do you think this phone will last forever? Backup those files to the cloud so you can access them from any device. You get free cloud storage with your Google account.

Instead of blaming all your problems on an external entity like Google, if you take accountability for solving your problem, you will find it is not nearly so intractable. Others here can offer advice, but it is ultimately up to you to decide on a course of action and pursue it. I wish you the best of luck.

Re: I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the Pixel 4a ruined it

#19

Post by Bancakes »

computehyper wrote: post #8
texas1775 wrote: post #4

St Vincent DePaul in your city can help you.

I've been to many religious places and they've been very helpful. But this is more of a phone issue... I just want my phone back. I don't want a new phone... I've never heard of this ever happening ever.

You keep saying how important your files are but you need to have them backed up in a cloud. Your life cannot end because you wake up one morning and your phone stops booting.

Re: I'm semi homeless and Google's forced update on the Pixel 4a ruined it

#20

Post by computehyper »

rusty_venture wrote: post #17

I'm sorry to have to say this, but this whole thread reeks of someone refusing to help themselves. Several people have given you legitimately helpful advice and you have just come back with excuses as to why it won't work for you. This includes: - Using a wireless power bank. Android phones will work with a completely dead/useless battery if they are plugged into a power bank. If your power bank doesn't work that way…

Hi, I'm not sure if you've saw it but not only is the battery is close to dead but the charging is super slow and it struggles to work plugged in. So I cannot use it well. The only option will to get a new phone, but it's been taking a toll on me.

I am not looking to be a charity case. I'm just flustered at what Google did. Something that never happened in history, without warning, ending my phone.

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