The newest Pixel replace recalibrates this battery...

Google recently pushed out its large March 2025 Pixel Drop, introducing a variety of new software program options to appropriate Pixel units. 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 instrument into the Google Messages app.

Quickly after downloading and putting in this newest software program construct, nonetheless, some Pixel customers started to note that the charging optimization setting on their handsets seemed to be damaged. Seemingly, their telephones started bypassing the prevailing 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 precise their concern over what seemed to be an unintentional bug launched by this new Pixel Drop. As reported on by Android Authority, nonetheless, it seems that there are no bugs to fret about in spite of everything. Quite, it appears like Google has made an intentional change to the characteristic with a purpose to hold Pixel telephones operating in tip-top form.

Because it seems, when enabling the Restrict to 80% characteristic on a Pixel cellphone, the gadget wants to often high as much as 100% battery capability to recalibrate its battery capability, and to maintain issues operating easily under-the-hood. Different telephones that supply an analogous characteristic, including the iPhone, perform a lot in the identical means.

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 cellphone.

It is actually a aid 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. After all, 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 cellphone to start with?

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

The characteristic counteracts the chemical getting old technique of your cellphone’s energy pack

As with most different smartphones in the marketplace, 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 notably pronounced when in a totally charged state or in a totally depleted state.

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

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allow charging optimization in your Google Pixel cellphone

Charging choices could be tweaked from throughout the Settings app

Google gives 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 modify charging optimization settings, comply with these steps:

1. Launch the Settings app in your Pixel cellphone.
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 sometimes high again as much as 100% capability even when Restrict to 80% is enabled, and this is done by design to maintain your cellphone correctly calibrated over time.

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

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