The recent March update for Google Pixel phones has caused some confusion among users regarding charging limits. Many Pixel owners report their devices reaching full charge faster than expected, even with the charging limit set to 80%. This issue isn’t a bug, but rather a feature designed to recalibrate the battery.
This recalibration process, as explained by a product expert on the Google support forums, ensures the software’s battery reading accurately reflects the battery’s actual capacity. To complete the recalibration, your Pixel phone must remain connected to the charger until a shield icon appears over the battery symbol in the status bar. This icon will persist for two hours after the phone is fully charged. Subsequent charges will then adhere to the 80% limit.
For those using wireless chargers, the process differs slightly. The shield icon won’t appear. Instead, leave your Pixel on the wireless charging platform until the lightning bolt icon disappears, indicating recalibration is complete. After this initial full charge, subsequent wireless charging sessions will also respect the set 80% limit.
This recalibration behavior isn’t exclusive to a specific Pixel model. Users of the Pixel 9, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, and other Pixel phones capable of running the latest software update have reported similar experiences. Discussions on Reddit echo these findings, with some users observing their phones charging to 100% a few times post-update before reverting to the 80% limit after toggling the setting. This initial full charge is likely the recalibration process in action.
This March update also introduced several new features, including AI-powered scam detection, improvements to satellite messaging, and enhanced Pixel Mode personalization. While the charging limit behavior might seem unusual initially, it’s a designed feature aimed at maintaining accurate battery readings.
In conclusion, the seemingly erratic charging behavior after the March Pixel update is part of a battery recalibration process. By allowing your phone to complete this process, you ensure accurate battery readings and maintain optimal battery health in the long run. Once the recalibration is finished, your charging limit settings will function as expected.
