Google recently added charging limits to Pixel phones, allowing users to stop their devices from charging past 80% in an effort to preserve long-term battery health. Juicing up to 100% every time can degrade the battery and reduce its lifespan, but sometimes, your Pixel will charge to 100% anyway—even if you’ve set an 80% limit. This is because your device occasionally needs a full charge to calibrate its capacity and accurately estimate battery life. (Apple has a charging limit override on its devices for the same purpose.)
If your Pixel is ignoring your assigned charging limit, it’s a feature, not a bug. But you can (and probably should) utilize the battery optimization settings if you aren’t already to keep your battery healthy for as long as possible.
How to change charging limits on your Pixel
To set (or disable) the 80% charging limit on your Pixel, go to Settings > Battery > Charging Optimization. Toggle charging optimization on, then select Limit to 80%. You can also opt for adaptive charging, which will pause at 80% but then top up to 100% “before you normally unplug.”
iPhones have a similar feature: those on older devices can choose an 80% limit or “optimized battery charging,” which charges according to your use habits. Anyone with an iPhone 15 model or later can get more granular, with charging limits at 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%. Go to Settings > Battery > Charging to adjust your options.
