My old Pixel has a battery setting Google won’t let newer owners turn off

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Released Oct 24, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT

Brady is an innovation reporter for MakeUseOf with years of experience covering all things mobile, computing, and basic tech. He has a concentrate on Android phones and audio equipment, and holds a B.S. in Journalism from St. John’s University.

Brady has actually composed for publications like Android Central, Android Authority, XDA, Android Police, iMore, and others. He has experience reporting on significant occasions held by Google, Apple, and Samsung, in addition to exhibition like Lenovo Innovation World and IFA.

When he’s not discussing and checking the most recent gizmos, you’ll discover Brady viewing Big East basketball and running.

Android is everything about option and modification, however to some, that identity is fading away. Every variation of Android that ships with a business phone is a far cry from the standard Android Open Source Project release, total with custom-made producer modifies– and limitations. Pixel phones show up with Google’s vision for Android, often erroneously described as “stock Android.” In lots of methods, it’s more restricted than the Android skins you obtain from Samsung or Motorola.

I’ve discussed one method Pixel phones are restricted by software application: the Battery Health Assistance include you can’t switch off. It’s developed to protect the long-lasting health of your battery by throttling voltage and charging speed. There’s a flip side to Battery Health Assistance. If you have an older Pixel, Battery Health Assistance is allowed by default, however you can by hand disable it.

I pulled my Google Pixel 8a evaluation system out of the drawer, fired it up for the very first time in over a year, and I’m here to stroll you through how to recover your older Pixel’s battery life and charging speed.

Battery Health Assistance is a compromise

Relieve your battery into destruction, however at an expense

Before you proceed and shut off Battery Health Assistance, you need to understand what it does. Battery Health Assistance debuted on the Google Pixel 9a, a midrange Android phone launched in 2025. At the time, Google stated that “Pixel software will manage battery performance to help maintain battery health as your battery ages.” Later on, we found out the complete level of Battery Health Assistance in an assistance file:

As your battery ages, you might see little declines in your battery’s runtime. Based upon changed capability, Battery Health Assistance likewise tunes the phone’s charging speed. You might discover a minor modification in battery charging efficiency.

The basic variation is that Google is proactively restricting your battery’s efficiency in an effort to maintain its long-lasting health. It’s doing so by reducing the battery’s optimum voltage in phases, which in turn minimizes relative battery life and peak charging speeds. It occurs slowly, starting at 200 cycles and continuing through 1,000 cycles.

This may be chosen if you’re the type of individual who keeps their phone up until it breaks, or through the modern-day Pixel’s seven-year software application assistance window. On the other hand, those who change their phone every couple of years may compromise battery efficiency without profiting.

Battery Health Assistance introduced with the Pixel 9a, and has actually delivered with every brand-new Pixel phone given that. On these gadgets, Battery Health Assistance can’t be shut off. It concerned the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 series, Pixel 8 series, and Pixel 9 series (omitting Pixel 9a) in a software application upgrade. Following the Android 16 upgrade, a server-side push made Battery Health Assistance offered on these phones.

There’s a little group of Pixel phones that have Battery Health Assistance and can turn it off, so here’s how to do it.

Just some Pixel users can disable the function

It’s on by default, even for older Pixel phones

To make things clear, owners of the following Pixel phones can disable Battery Health Assistance: Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. If you have among these designs, you’ll see a brand-new Battery Health page in Settings following the Android 16 upgrade. Because we’re now on Android 17, you’ve most likely upgraded to Android 16 currently.

I switched off the function by browsing to Settings → Battery → Battery HealthHere, you’ll see your phone’s relative battery capability, AI-powered battery health pointers, and your Charging Optimization choice. At the extremely bottom, you’ll discover Battery Health Assistance — that’s the one you ought to tap.

This opens a page that describes Battery Health Assistance. There’s a toggle next to Usage Battery Health Assistance that is made it possible for by default, however you can tap it to turn it off. Obviously, you can likewise pick to leave it on and make the most of the life-span of your battery. It’s simple enough if you have the ideal Pixel design, however keep in mind, this toggle isn’t offered on the Pixel 9a and more recent.

While you’re in the Battery Health menu, you can modify the Charging Optimization mode. Thankfully, every Pixel owner can customize this setting if their gadget has it. You can disable it completely, utilize Adaptive Charging to end up charging when you generally disconnect, or utilize Limitation to 80 % to set a difficult charging cap.

Should every Pixel get this toggle?

Google does not let more recent Pixel owners choose

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Credit: Brady Snyder/ MakeUseOf

Batteries are consumable parts, and they deteriorate in time. Functions like Battery Health Assistance are created to soften the blow and lengthen battery health.

That stated, there are other choices. Instead of utilize software-based battery throttling, you might budget plan for battery replacements and prepare for a swap every couple of years. If you’re the sort of individual that sells your phone early and frequently, you’ll likely never ever see the significant results of battery deterioration that Battery Health Assistance is developed to prevent.

That’s why all Pixels ought to have the choice to utilize Battery Health Assistance. I do not blame Google for allowing it by default, however users must have the ability to pick to turn it off if they feel highly about battery throttling. If you’re the owner of a somewhat older Pixel, you get the very best of both worlds. You have access to the function if you desire it, however aren’t locked into it.

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