Google broke charging on Pixel telephones with its newest replace

Google has added loads of helpful options to its Pixel telephones over time via its Pixel Function Drops, however considered one of my favorites by far is the 80 percent charge limit function, which first arrived in 2024.

Because the title suggests, the function lets you set your Pixel’s most cost restrict to 80 % as a substitute of 100% to assist prolong the battery’s lifespan. Along with the cost restrict, Google additionally launched bypass charging, which implies that as soon as your telephone reaches 80 %, it attracts energy immediately from the wall charger, bypassing the battery completely, once more to cut back battery put on.

Nonetheless, whereas the function has labored nice up till now, the newest March 2026 Feature Drop replace seems to have modified how the 80 % cost restrict behaves, and never for the higher.

After putting in the March replace, some Pixel homeowners seen that when their battery expenses to round 77 %, it now takes noticeably longer to succeed in the 80 % cap than earlier than (through Android Police). One Reddit consumer mentioned it took their Pixel “over half-hour” to go from 78 % to 80 % after updating. This implies it takes longer to succeed in the purpose the place you should utilize your Pixel with bypass charging, and it additionally takes longer to cost total, which is not handy when you’re in a rush.

And this does not look like an remoted problem both. Loads of Reddit users have been voicing their frustrations concerning the sudden slowdown, together with one consumer who just lately picked up the brand new Pixel 10a. For the reason that habits solely appeared after the March 2026 Function Drop, many initially assumed it was a bug, however it could truly be intentional.

Google says the slower charging velocity is meant

It is potential it might be improved

When you use the 80 % cost restrict in your Pixel as I do, it appears the slower charging close to that restrict is right here to remain for now, since Google apparently put it in place on goal.

In a current publish on Google’s IssueTracker (the place the corporate tracks Android bugs), a Google developer confirmed that the slower charging close to the 80 % cost restrict is deliberate. In line with the developer, the change is supposed to assist handle battery well being, although in addition they famous that Google is “at the moment engaged on optimizing this consumer expertise.” You may learn the complete quote under.

“This habits is expounded to the 80% Cost Restrict function. Within the present software program construct, the gadget expenses at regular speeds till it reaches roughly 77%, at which level it transitions to a decrease present to succeed in the ultimate 80% restrict,” a Google developer defined. “Whereas this will likely lead to slower charging speeds close to the restrict, it’s meant to handle battery well being and shouldn’t impression regular gadget utilization. We’re at the moment engaged on optimizing this consumer expertise.”

So, whereas this habits seems to be intentional — presumably to cut back warmth close to the cost restrict and assist protect long-term battery well being — it additionally sounds to me like Google is open to bettering how shortly Pixels attain the 80 % cap, however we’ll have to attend and see.

Reactions to the change have been mixed. One Redditor referred to as it “very annoying,” including that “we should always have the ability to quick cost as much as 80%.” In the meantime, one other consumer was far much less bothered, saying, “That is wonderful, I can simply unplug at 77%. 3% is like quarter-hour of display time. Not going to vary my life.”

In case you have a Pixel telephone and have not tried the 80 % cost restrict function but, I nonetheless suggest giving it a strive regardless of this variation. It is a helpful function for extending your battery’s lifespan, particularly when you plan to maintain your telephone for a number of years. Plus, it additionally lets you make the most of bypass charging as soon as the telephone hits the restrict.

To do that, simply go to Settings > Battery > Battery well being > Charging Optimization. By default, “Adaptive Charging” is enabled. Merely swap to the “Restrict to 80%” possibility, and it’ll begin working. Hopefully, Google improves the charging velocity near the restrict, although, because the slower tempo for the reason that new replace is a bit annoying.