3 sneaky tricks I use to boost my Pixel phone’s battery for free

• Set a charge limiter
• Avoid extreme temperatures
• Store in a half-charged state

In one sense, it’s remarkable that we’re able to harness power out of small rechargeable battery packs, and that modern battery chemistry allows for the continued flourishing of mobile gadgets on the market. On the other hand, batteries are notoriously temperamental, being subject to degradation over the course of their (consumable) lifespans.

With how much we rely on our smartphones these days, and with how portable and convenient they are, it’s no surprise that they’re subject to some of the most intense battery health degradation of all consumer tech products. In the case of my Google Pixel 10, an Android device that I simply adore, I’ve been on a mission to preserve its battery health for as long as possible.

Here are three tricks and techniques I personally rely on to maintain a healthy battery pack within my Pixel 10. While these tips specifically target Google’s latest flagship handset, they also apply to just about every other smartphone out on the market, Android or otherwise.

Set a charge limiter

Combat the chemical stress of overnight charging

Most higher-end phones released over the past couple of years have shipped with built-in charge limiters, and Google’s Pixel line is no exception. Essentially, a charge limiter sets a maximum recharge level (usually somewhere between 70 percent and 90 percent), stopping the device from topping up its battery to full capacity no matter how long its plugged in for.

While setting a charge limit does decrease the amount of available battery life on the day-to-day, it also helps to prevent wear and tear (and thus, it preserves longer-term battery life). The reason for this is that batteries are chemically stressed when at full 100% capacity, which damages their ability to hold a full charge over time.

Note that not every Google Pixel model includes a user-accessible charge limiter — the feature is available on handsets starting with 2022’s Pixel 6a and newer.

To set a charge limit on a Google Pixel phone, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Settings application.
2. Navigate to Battery > Battery health > Charging optimization.
3. Toggle on Use charging optimization, and then tap or click on the Limit to 80% entry.

Avoid extreme temperatures

Batteries are sensitive to fluctuating highs and lows

Simply put, rechargeable batteries aren’t a fan of extreme ambient temperatures, whether it be heat, cold, or a fluctuation between the two. Consumer tech devices like the Pixel 10 are designed to function most effectively at specific temperature ranges, with somewhere between 62 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) being a safe bet.

As someone who lives in a part of the world with fairly large temperature swings, I take care not to leave my Pixel in direct sunlight for extended periods of time (especially while charging), and I make sure to carry it around in my pocket when out and about during the winter. I also avoid stressing the battery through intense computational use while charging — for example, I don’t play mobile games while simultaneously topping up the device, as this generates more heat than is ideal.

Store in a half-charged state

A fifty percent charged battery is a happy battery

As someone who tests out a wide variety of smartphones throughout the year, I inevitably find myself needing to place older models in storage for extended periods of time. Aside from ensuring a climate-controlled storage environment, it’s key to turn off devices at around half a tank of juice to maximize their longevity and health.

As Apple points out in an iPhone support document, it’s considered best practice to charge back up to 50% battery capacity every six months while in storage, to avoid damaging battery health in the long run. A fully discharged device in storage is more likely to fall into a deep discharge state, which could break its ability to hold a charge. A fully charged device placed into storage, meanwhile, is more likely to result in a reduction in overall battery capacity. Pixel phones, with their built-in lithium-ion battery packs, are subject to these same concerns that plague in-storage iPhone models.