The most recent Pixel replace recalibrates this battery characteristic (that you need to be utilizing)

Google recently pushed out its large March 2025 Pixel Drop, introducing various new software program options to suitable Pixel gadgets. This over-the-air (OTA) Android 15 replace, which was seeded on March 4, brings updates to Gemini Live, enhancements to the Pixel Screenshots app, and introduces a brand new Rip-off Detection device into the Google Messages app.

Quickly after downloading and putting in this newest software program construct, nevertheless, some Pixel customers started to note that the charging optimization setting on their handsets gave the impression to be damaged. Seemingly, their telephones started bypassing the present battery charging restrict characteristic of the OS, topping as much as 100% capability versus the user-imposed 80% restrict.

Many took to Reddit and different on-line boards to specific their concern over what gave the impression to be an unintentional bug launched by this new Pixel Drop. As reported on by Android Authority, nevertheless, it seems that there are not any bugs to fret about in any case. Fairly, it seems to be like Google has made an intentional change to the characteristic so as to hold Pixel telephones working in tip-top form.

Because it seems, when enabling the Restrict to 80% characteristic on a Pixel telephone, the machine wants to sometimes prime as much as 100% battery capability to recalibrate its battery capability, and to maintain issues working easily under-the-hood. Different telephones that supply an analogous characteristic, including the iPhone, operate a lot in the identical method.

Google’s retooling of the Pixel charging optimization characteristic can also be corroborated by an announcement on the GrapheneOS Dialogue Discussion board. The official GrapheneOS mission account means that the recalibration course of was really damaged pre-update, and that the difficulty has been resolved as of the March 2025 OTA launch. Consequently, many customers are merely experiencing an overdue calibration upon booting up their freshly-updated Pixel telephone.

It is actually a reduction to listen to that Google has resolved this obvious difficulty, and that Pixel telephones can now carry out their charging optimization duties as initially supposed. In fact, this raises an essential query: simply how worthwhile is it to make use of the Restrict to 80% characteristic, and the way do you entry charging optimization settings on a Pixel telephone to start with?

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Why ought to I allow an 80% charging cap on my Google Pixel telephone?

The characteristic counteracts the chemical growing older means of your telephone’s energy pack

As with most different smartphones available on the market, Google Pixel phones are powered by non-removable lithium-ion batteries. For so far as trendy battery tech has come, longevity stays a weak hyperlink. The charging course of itself places pressure on the chemical composition of your battery over time, and that is significantly pronounced when in a completely charged state or in a completely depleted state.

The tip results of recurrently topping up your telephone to 100% (say, by leaving your telephone plugged in in a single day) is an excessively strained battery, which deteriorates faster and due to this fact looses its efficacy at a quicker fee. Toggling on the 80% cost restrict setting, due to this fact, retains your telephone’s battery at a more healthy stage, and extends its total lifecycle.

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Easy methods to allow charging optimization in your Google Pixel telephone

Charging choices might be tweaked from throughout the Settings app

Google presents two separate charging optimization settings on its trendy Pixel telephones: Adaptive Charging, and Restrict to 80%. The previous makes use of AI to “end charging to 100% proper earlier than you usually unplug”, whereas the latter places a tough upward cap on the battery at precisely 80% capability.

To entry and alter charging optimization settings, observe these steps:

1. Launch the Settings app in your Pixel telephone.
2. Navigate to Battery > Charging optimization.
3. Toggle on Use charging optimization.
4. Choose Adaptive Charging or Restrict to 80%, relying in your desire.

As talked about, your Pixel will often prime again as much as 100% capability even when Restrict to 80% is enabled, and this is done by design to maintain your telephone correctly calibrated over time.

Google’s official support page presents further info, troubleshooting guides, and insights on the Pixel’s charging optimization characteristic set, together with tips about how one can eke out essentially the most juice out of your handset.

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