Google Brings Bypass Charging to Pixel Phones But There’s a Big Catch

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TL; DR

  • Pixel’s 80% battery limit triggers Bypass Charging to preserve battery health.
  • This works only if the 80% limit is enabled, the battery hits 80%, and the device stays plugged in.
  • Once you enable Adaptive Charging, it won’t work since it’s not a full feature, just a side effect.

Google has quietly introduced a feature known as Bypass Charging in the latest Pixel feature drop. This was first spotted by Android Authority and is tied to the 80% battery limit option in the charging optimization menu. While it isn’t a fully-fledged feature like on gaming phones, it is surely beneficial.

With the 80% limit enabled, once the battery is charged to 80%, the phone stops charging the battery and directly powers the device components. This should reduce wear on the battery, prolonging its health. 

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Via: Android Authority

Android Authority observed that a Pixel device didn’t charge beyond 80% and instead used Bypass Charging, effectively stopping power delivery to the battery after hitting the limit. However, this implementation comes with restrictions. 

Only Works with 80% Limit

For Bypass Charging to work, you need to ensure your Pixel is charged to 80%, the 80% battery limit is enabled, and the device remains plugged in. If the battery level drops below 80%, or if the feature is disabled, it won’t function. Additionally, enabling Adaptive Charging completely disables Bypass Charging since it’s not a standalone feature.

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Bypass Charging on gaming phones allows users to bypass the battery at any time, but on Pixels, it’s merely a side effect of the 80% battery limit option. Google should genuinely make this a dedicated feature since it’s really helpful when it comes to gaming.

What do you think—should Google develop this into a proper feature? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Also Read: Is Google Working On Augmented Reality Smart Glasses? Here’s What We Know

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Mehtab AnsariMehtab Ansari
Mehtab Ansari is the Assistant Editor – Features & Reviews at Smartprix, where he writes about smartphones, laptops, audio gear, and everything in between. A computer science student by degree but a tech nerd by heart, he’s been into consumer tech for years and started reviewing products professionally in February 2024. He’s especially into photography and audio, often spending more time testing a smartphone’s camera than he probably should. For him, tech isn’t just work, it’s what he’s always thinking about.

Expertise 

Smartphones, laptops, tablets, monitors, smartwatches, photography, and audio gear. I’ve reviewed over 60 products across these categories on Smartprix in the past year and a half.

Education - Bachelor of Computer Applications – Nizam College, Hyderabad (2022–2025) | Joined Smartprix -February 2024 | Published Reviews & Stories - 723

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