How to limit Google Pixel charging to 80% to make your battery last longer

Your smartphone’s battery health is key to keeping it running smoothly for years. Google’s latest update for Pixel phones introduces a handy feature to help: the ability to cap charging at 80%. Here’s how to set it up and why it’s worth using.

Why limit charging to 80%?

Lithium-ion batteries, like the one in your Pixel, degrade over time. Charging them fully to 100% repeatedly accelerates wear. By limiting charging to 80%, you can extend the battery’s lifespan and keep it performing better in the long run.

Bonus: This feature also enables bypass charging, which powers your phone directly from the charger without using the battery once it’s at 80%. This keeps your phone cooler and reduces battery strain during long gaming or streaming sessions.

How to enable the 80% charging limit

Here’s how to turn on the feature if your Pixel is running the latest software update:

1. Open the Settings app on your Pixel.
2. Navigate to Battery settings.
3. Tap on Charging Optimization.
   
4. Select Limit to 80% (you’ll see this option below Adaptive Charging).
   

Once you’ve turned it on, your Pixel will stop charging the battery when it hits 80%.

What happens when it’s enabled?

• Charging stops at 80%: The battery won’t charge beyond this point.
• Bypass charging kicks in: If the phone stays plugged in, power flows directly from the charger to the phone, skipping the battery. This feature helps reduce heat and wear during heavy usage.

To confirm it’s working, you can use a battery monitoring app. The app should show the battery as “not charging” and the power source as “AC” (wall power).

What you need to keep in mind

While some reports indicate that the feature is only available on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series, other users claim to have the function on devices like the Pixel 6 too after the latest update. 

Occasionally, your Pixel may charge to 100% even with the 80% limit enabled. This is completely normal and helps recalibrate the battery’s fuel gauge to ensure accurate charge level readings. Additionally, you don’t need any special chargers to use this feature. Google hasn’t specified any requirements, so a reliable, good-quality charger will work just fine.

Using this feature is a simple way to keep your Pixel battery healthier for longer. It’s especially useful if you keep your phone plugged in while gaming, streaming, or working. So this new setting will certainly help extend your phone’s battery health for longer.