How to Enable Google Pixel Bypass Charging on Your Phone

The latest Google Pixel 10 series offers the most powerful performance yet. This performance is facilitated by the custom-built Tensor G5 chip, which offers significant efficiency improvements versus the previous generation. It’s also supported by a 4870 mAh battery capacity for the standard model, while the Pro XL’s is 5200 mAh – the biggest battery ever seen on a Pixel!  

Originally introduced by Sony as a 'Heat Suppression Power Control tool,' another feature that improves battery life for the Pixel 10 lineup is bypass charging. 

But what exactly is bypass charging, and how does it work on your phone? Keep reading as we explore this innovative Google Pixel charging optimization functionality.

What is Pixel Bypass Charging?

Hidden in a 2024 Pixel Feature Drop, bypass charging keeps your Pixel phone’s battery charge level at 80%, rather than allowing it to reach 100% every time. This charging optimization option, known as ‘Limit to 80%’ on the Google Pixel, aims to tackle the constant battery depletion and charging cycle, which leaves your phone unable to hold power. 

Bypass charging isn’t a new phenomenon, though. It works similarly to Apple’s 80% Limit feature, introduced on the iPhone 15 in 2023. It’s also the same as Samsung’s ‘Pause USB Power Delivery.’ 

Most of the time, Pixel phones draw power from the battery to operate. But activate bypass charging and:

1. Your device switches to a different power supply when it reaches 80% power. 

2. Instead, it takes and runs on AC (alternating current) power from the outlet it’s plugged into. 

3. The Result: Your Pixel phone maintains that 80% charge and reduces voltage stress by bypassing the battery. This is the same as running your phone off-grid, without including batteries in the process!

A key difference from battery bypass features on other smartphones is that this setting can’t be switched on at any power level. Limit to 80% only begins working when this 80% level is reached, rather than whenever the phone is plugged in. 

However, it’s still beneficial for battery health and the overall Google Pixel phone experience!

Benefits of Battery Bypass for Google Pixel Devices?

By setting an 80% charging limit, Pixel Bypass Charging improves your phone’s battery health and prevents overheating. Here are the key benefits of this Limit to 80% feature for your Google Pixel:

Stops Pixels from Overheating

Charging and other high-intensity tasks require large amounts of power for the system on a chip (SoC) to work efficiently, which generates lots of heat. In turn, this heat is transferred to the external environment, but it can also make the frame and back of your Pixel incredibly hot to touch.

This is generally combated by vapor chamber cooling systems that direct heat away from a phone’s internal components, which only feature on premium phones like the Pixel 10 Pro.

By not charging the battery, and therefore not generating heat,  bypass charging is particularly beneficial for standard models like the Pixel 10 that don’t feature these cooling systems. It keeps your handset cool while using it, meaning no burnt hands!

Constant excessive heat generation also damages your Pixel phone’s long-term battery health.

Prolongs Long-Term Battery Lifespan

The lithium-ion batteries within your Pixel slowly wear out over time, becoming less efficient each time a full charging cycle finishes. That’s why charging a Pixel phone to 100% every night causes it to lose battery life more quickly in the long run. 

In extreme cases, the process may also physically damage internal components like the SoC and significantly slow down your device.

The 80% limit, achieved through bypass charging, stops this battery cycling. The only downside is that your phone won’t last as long throughout the day, particularly if you often use GPS navigation or video editing tools.

What is Bypass Charging Most Useful For?

Bypass charging is most useful for maintaining a stable temperature during intensive tasks, without draining the battery. There are three cases where this Pixel feature comes in incredibly handy:

1. Android’s Desktop Mode: Connecting your Pixel phone to a monitor and transforming the display into a desktop size may be great for multi-tasking, but it can negatively impact its battery health over time. Bypass charging keeps the battery working smoothly if you’re a frequent Desktop Mode user.

2. GPS Navigation: Use Google Maps on long road trips or work commutes without completely discharging your phone.

3. Long Gaming Sessions: Bypass charging means gamers won’t have to worry about their phones overheating and becoming uncomfortable to hold, or the video game lagging.

How to Turn Pixel’s Bypass Charging Feature On

Enable the Limit to 80% bypass charging option by:

1. Going to your Pixel’s Settings menu.

2. Selecting ‘Battery’, ‘Battery Health,’ then going to the ‘Charging Optimization’ tab.

3. Turning on the ‘Limit 80%’ option.

Your phone should then show a “Done charging” message when the 80% limit is reached. 

This feature can be switched off on days when you need to maintain a longer battery life, allowing your Pixel phone to reach 100% power. It should also be turned off every 10th cycle to ensure battery capacity readings remain accurate. 

You can download the Device Info HW app from the Google Store to check whether bypass charging is working. This provides crucial hardware and software information for Android devices, including everything from cameras and sensors to the battery.

If bypass charging is active, the app shows a “Not charging” message with the AC power source instead of “Charging/ Discharging.” It may also continue notifying you that a charger is connected, so you know there’s always a power source available. 

Is Bypass Charging Different to Adaptive Charging?

Adaptive charging is a different charging optimization feature that automatically turns on to learn your charging habits and optimize the phone’s battery health. It does this by only charging to 100% right before the time you typically unplug from the charging source, reducing long-term strain on the battery.

However, only one of these settings can be activated at a time. Here’s how to choose the right charging optimisation feature for you:

• Bypass charging/ Limit to 80% is best for those who regularly end the day with some phone charge left and want to prioritise long-term battery health. 

• Adaptive Charging is more ideal for users who also want to optimize battery health, but need a full 100% battery during the day.

Final Thoughts on Pixel Battery Bypass

Bypass charging slows down battery degradation, keeping your Pixel usable for longer. This means you won’t need to upgrade your device so quickly and can spend longer enjoying its fantastic range of features, particularly the Pixel 10’s triple rear camera setup and Google AI features.

The great news is that any phone with the ‘Limit to 80%’ feature in the Settings menu supports Bypass charging. This covers most Pixels, including the Pixel 6a and later devices!