How To Guide How to limit charging on Pixel 6

[lackalil]

Dumb question but what did you use to write values into those files? Did you use a text editor (with root access) or just termux or something? I tried with the built in MiX text editor but it seems to choke once I open up the file.

MiX was really slow to open the files. Like almost a minute per file (which are only a few bytes). Using the MiX code editor was very slighly quicker than the text editor.

But when I copied my /sys/ folder to my computer in an attempt to figure this out, it also took a ridiculous amount of time. I suspect that access to those files is just slow.

 

[Gibsonflyingv]

MiX was really slow to open the files. Like almost a minute per file (which are only a few bytes). Using the MiX code editor was very slighly quicker than the text editor.

But when I copied my /sys/ folder to my computer in an attempt to figure this out, it also took a ridiculous amount of time. I suspect that access to those files is just slow.

I tried out FX file explorer like Galaxea suggested and it was pretty fast. Weird that MiX is so slow. I honestly thought nothing was happening.

 

[sic0048]

4. Still shows as charging rapidly when it hits the level. Is it rapidly cycling charging on and off? Or in a kind of micro-current state? Or this may be a true battery idle situation where all power is drawn from the adapter. Ampere and AccA just show "not charging".

Most modern phones offer a true battery idle mode (where power to run the phone is drawn from the adapter and cuts the battery out of the equation completely so when the phone reaches it's battery charging limit, the battery isn't being charged or discharged at all as long as it is plugged in). I think the Pixels have been doing this since the P3. I know the 3a had battery idle because that is the phone I had previous to the P6.

 

[killer23d]

It works

Advanced Charging Controller (acc)

Repository Source Code and Documentation Releases Front-ends ACC App (AccA) ACC Settings

forum.xda-developers.com

 

[lackalil]

It works

Advanced Charging Controller (acc)

Repository Source Code and Documentation Releases Front-ends ACC App (AccA) ACC Settings

forum.xda-developers.com

Thanks, just saw this yesterday. It does work and there is a true idle. Steps for me were:

1. Install ACC in Magisk: https://github.com/VR-25/acc/releases/
2. Install AccA (the front end app): https://github.com/mattecarra/acca/releases
3. Create a new charging switch in the app using /sys/devices/platform/google,charger/charge_stop_level as the switch location
4. Enter 100 as the "On value" and 1 as the "Off value". (The developer mentions 100 & 5, but I'm thinking that would mean it wouldn't charge if you plugged in under 5%. Could be wrong).
5. Enable idle mode

There are some other settings but I left them as-is. Mine is set for 76-77%. Works great and sits on 77% for a LONG time until it drops a percent, then quickly tops up to 77 again. Better than BCL which would cycle pretty often.

 

[lavoie005]

hi guys anyone know how to limit charging voltage.
where the charging limit voltage file is located on pixel 6

 

[rhplusa10]

I've used this method on my pixel 3, and now on pixel 5. (I don't have Pixel 6.)

This is my observation from using this for 3 years,

/sys/devices/platform/google,charger/charge_start_level:75
/sys/devices/platform/google,charger/charge_stop_level:80

I only applied stop level on pixel 3. start level remained as 0 as default.
just sometimes, it did not allow charge even it is under 80%. I had to reboot the phone to charge in this case.


on pixel 5, this happens more often. it does not charge even level is under 80%.

What I found is, wired charging does not matter with start level. only stop level setting works.

with "some" wireless charger, when it reaches stop level (80%), it just stop charging, not idle.
Battery level goes down slowly as phone is not charging.
in this case, start level should be set up. it "activates" charging function when it reaches or below start level.

with some other wireless charger, it works without start level, same as wired charger.
in this case, when it reaches stop level, it keeps the level. I see the charging current is about 3mA to keep the max level. (I assume this is idle mode).

I just applied the start level today because my phone stop charging even it is about 60%, and observed for a day with this. after applying start level as 75, it start working.

I will update if this is wrong or something new comes up.

 

[WibblyW]

I'm sorry, but at the snails pace this phone charges I'd be very surprised if charging it to 100% every night will make any noticeable difference in the long run. I had a Xiaomi Mi10 Ultra with 120W fast charger. That phone used to charge from 0% to full in like 20 minutes. Now that's one way to quickly kill your battery.

The Pixel uses your alarm to adaptively charge the battery so it should never overcharge it anyway. I'd much rather us all of my battery than use it only between 20 and 80% just for it to last a little longer.

Fast charging doesn't help, mainly because of extra heat it generates. But it's also simply that it's at 100%, not how it got there. Later Pixel phones actually maintain their charge at 80% if they're left on charge continuously for long enough, but unfortunately it takes at least 4 days! This approach reinforces the point that keeping your phone at high states of charge is bad for the battery

Get started with battery & charging on a Pixel phone - Pixel Phone Help

You can manage your battery, extend your battery life, and fix issues with the battery in your Pixel phone. Manage your Pixel phone battery Check battery level You can check how much charge your Pi

support.google.com

 

[twentysix_tj]

I went a different direction to limit my Pixel 6 charging. I set up Tasker to turn off the smart plug for my charger when the phone reaches a level of charge, and turn it back on if it drops below a level of charge.

Simple but effective.

 

[WibblyW]

I went a different direction to limit my Pixel 6 charging. I set up Tasker to turn off the smart plug for my charger when the phone reaches a level of charge, and turn it back on if it drops below a level of charge.

Simple but effective.

I did something similar, but it's more difficult in a car where you can't use a smart plug (well in most cars anyway).

 

[norman00037]

The files are overwritten on reboot so I created a Tasker task to write the values on reboot each time.

Use the application, which has apply on boot option

 

[DaCHeF36]

I found ACC to be buggy sometimes on previous devices. What I have found that works perfectly is a Magisk module call Input Power Control (IPC). Easy command line configuration and it just works. You can easily set a range for charging. I prefer 30 to 80%.

GitHub - Magisk-Modules-Repo/IPControl: IPControl

IPControl. Contribute to Magisk-Modules-Repo/IPControl development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Is this true?

Pixel phones can automatically stop charging at 80%

The Pixel 3 and all newer Pixel phones have a nifty trick up their sleeve to prolong the battery life. Read on to learn more!

www.xda-developers.com

 

[WibblyW]

Is this true?

Pixel phones can automatically stop charging at 80%

The Pixel 3 and all newer Pixel phones have a nifty trick up their sleeve to prolong the battery life. Read on to learn more!

www.xda-developers.com

I believe so, but look at the caveats

• Continuous charge under high battery drain conditions, like gameplay.
• Continuous charge for four days or more

This is not what most folk considering ACC or similar are after...

 

[WibblyW]

What I have found that works perfectly is a Magisk module call Input Power Control (IPC). Easy command line configuration and it just works. You can easily set a range for charging. I prefer 30 to 80%.

GitHub - Magisk-Modules-Repo/IPControl: IPControl

IPControl. Contribute to Magisk-Modules-Repo/IPControl development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

So Pixel 6 not officially listed as supported (although sure, it may well work just fine)? And a miss in my mind is not having a command line option to (as far as I can see) to stop charging based on temperature, which is a major battery killer.

 

[DaCHeF36]

So Pixel 6 not officially listed as supported (although sure, it may well work just fine)? And a miss in my mind is not having a command line option to (as far as I can see) to stop charging based on temperature, which is a major battery killer.

This works perfectly on a Sammy Note 4 and LG V20. I am sure it'd work just fine for pretty much any device, but it's yet to be seen by me on a Pixel 6. Wife will have one next week, so I'd be happy to report (if I can remember)! Yes, there's no temperature option. ACC simply hasn't worked reliably on some of my other devices, so it was a no go. My use is stopping the charge at 80% and allowing it to charge once it hits 30%. Simple. I don't have my phones in any sort of environment where heat is a real concern. I do not fast charge to preserve the battery.

For those with more intricate needs, this might not be the appropriate choice for you. For those with relatively simple %-based needs, go for it.

 

[WibblyW]

The high temperature use case for me is when the phone is in my car doing sat nav, and connected to a charger...

 

[halcykon]

The files are overwritten on reboot so I created a Tasker task to write the values on reboot each time.

Newbie here. Can you show me how to do this? I don't know where to begin.

 

[Galaxea]

Newbie here. Can you show me how to do this? I don't know where to begin.

In a new Tasker profile or task:

on Event: device boot

Task :
Wait 30 seconds
Run shell: command : echo "75" > /sys/devices/platform/google,charger/charge_state_level
Run shell: command : echo "80" > /sys/devices/platform/google,charger/charge_stop_level
Notify: Task completed

----------
After rebooting you should see a notification telling you that the task has run (after 30 seconds from booting)

I hope that helps
You need to be ROOTED!

 

[halcykon]

In a new Tasker profile or task:

on Event: device boot

Task :
Wait 30 seconds
Run shell: command : echo "75" > /sys/devices/platform/google,charger/charge_state_level
Run shell: command : echo "80" > /sys/devices/platform/google,charger/charge_stop_level
Notify: Task completed

----------
After rebooting you should see a notification telling you that the task has run (after 30 seconds from booting)

I hope that helps
You need to be ROOTED!

thank you! and yes I am freshly rooted.

 

[halcykon]

In a new Tasker profile or task:

on Event: device boot

Task :
Wait 30 seconds
Run shell: command : echo "75" > /sys/devices/platform/google,charger/charge_state_level
Run shell: command : echo "80" > /sys/devices/platform/google,charger/charge_stop_level
Notify: Task completed

----------
After rebooting you should see a notification telling you that the task has run (after 30 seconds from booting)

I hope that helps
You need to be ROOTED!

How do I know it's working? I did everything here and rebooted but my phone is still charging at 96%