Mine is fucked since the last update, the quick switcher flat out doesn't work anymore

If I wanted to flash a new ROM what are the options these days for backing up app data etc?

Well, great, but the fairphone is like 2 months behind on security patches, and they generally never do more than 1 OS update (for comparison, my pixel 7 has gotten 3 now, and with the 2 more years of support its likely to get 5 in total).

So basically instead of getting a phone that works for 8 years, you get a permanent security liability that is more likely to get water damage.

I mean sure, great idea, I would buy a phone with inferior CPU if I can support something good, but instead of something good I'm getting something inferior in every aspect just so I can change the battery in 2 years when I won't need the phone anyway because they just abandon any kind of timely updates anyway??

(BTW, I checked, the fairphone 5 is to this day still on android 14, a 2 year old OS. They could not care enough to update a 2 year old phone in 2 years except the legally necessary patches, they can't even release a monthly patch, and yet I should trust them with my most valuable data?)

Replaceable batteries from next year.

That's gotta be the most American thing I've ever heard - your refund going through a third party who takes a 30% cut. What a joke.

What is the $39 for??

Get ready to install a custom rom without the battery patch.

The patch they put out for the 4A basically bricked the phone. Battery life was halved, and the charge indicator was practically useless (the number could drop massively within minutes), making the remaining half battery unreliable as well.

This is about the 6a so you're not affected

GrapheneOS is the most secure mobile OS and your model is not affected. I've got a 7a myself.

That's a good combo.

I've seen others get the battery replaced, but it heavily depends on the phone. Samsungs can be pretty cheap from what I hear.

As long as the repair shop is reputable it's not too hard. I was looking at options on iFixit when I first heard this update was coming down the pipeline. I guess I am lucky that mine was already a refurbished unit when I bought it so it looks like the battery has already been replaced.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Google+Pixel+6a+Battery+Replacement/152516

I replaced a few batteries myself before in a Nexus 6 and a Pixel 4a. The guides really help as does having the right tools. It's also helpful that iFixit offers genuine battery replacements.

https://www.ifixit.com/products/google-pixel-6a-battery-genuine?variant=39912699330663

Currently out of stock but that's probably due to this update that wrecked so many users battery life.