How to Set a Charging Limit on Android (No Root Needed)

Do you leave your phone on charge all night?

Most of us do. A year later, we wonder why the battery doesn't last like it used to.

When I first wrote this in 2017, setting a charging limit needed a rooted phone, a file explorer and an app from a download link. Not anymore.

Today, Pixel and Samsung phones have a charging limit built into Settings, and many other phones have one too. In this guide, I'll show you where to find it on each one.

Also Read: Why Does Your Phone Overheat and How to Fix It

TL;DR

• Google Pixel: go to "Settings" → "Battery" → "Battery health" → "Charging optimization" and choose "Limit to 80%" (Pixel 6a or later).
• Samsung Galaxy: go to "Settings" → "Battery" → "Battery protection", turn it on and choose "Maximum". Then pick 80%, 85%, 90% or 95% with the slider.
• Other Android phones: open "Settings" and search for "charging", "battery health" or "battery protection". OnePlus has Optimized Charging.
• No built-in option? Unplug at around 80% when you can, and keep the phone out of hot places.
• No root or app needed. Skip any charge limit app you find on a download link.

Why Set a Charging Limit on Your Android Phone?

Our phones use lithium-ion batteries. They don't like sitting at 100% for hours, and they like heat even less.

Battery University, which I also cited in the old version of this post, puts it simply. Keeping a fully charged battery at high temperatures is the worst situation.

It also says a partial charge reduces stress and helps the battery last longer. So if your phone stops at 80% or so, the battery wears out more slowly.

Also Read: Does Apple Slow Down Your Old iPhone to Make You Buy a New One?

Can Charging Overnight Make Your Phone Explode?

A common worry is that charging overnight can make your phone blow up. The answer is no.

In the old version of this post, I blamed overcharging for that, and I was wrong.

Your phone stops charging by itself when it's full. Samsung's basic battery protection, for example, stops at 100% and only starts again when the battery drops to 95%.

The real problem is slow wear, not explosions.

Apple's battery story is a separate case, and it's covered in Apple Slowed Down Old iPhones: The Batterygate Story.

Is There a Downside to a Charging Limit?

Yes, one. If your phone stops at 80%, you get less battery each day.

Battery University says the same: a lower charge level means the battery stores less.

So if you usually end the day with some charge left, a limit is a great idea. If you're always at 5% by evening, use one of the "overnight" options below instead.

If you'd rather get an alert when the battery runs low, see how to set a low battery notification ringtone on Android.

Charging Limit Options at a Glance

Here's a quick comparison of the built-in options. Menu names can differ by brand, model and software version.

On a Pixel, use "Limit to 80%".

On a Galaxy, use "Maximum" at 80%. Everyone else should search "Settings" first.

How to Set a Charging Limit on Google Pixel

Requirements

• A Pixel 6a or later for "Limit to 80%".

Steps

1. Open "Settings" → "Battery" → "Battery health" → "Charging optimization". On some newer Pixels, the first menu is called "Battery and charging".
2. Turn on "Use charging optimization".
3. Choose "Limit to 80%".

Your Pixel will now stop charging at 80%.

When you need a full charge for a long day, come back to this screen and turn the limit off.

One more thing: Google says your Pixel still needs a full charge every 10th cycle to keep its battery readings accurate, even with the limit on.

When that happens, leave it plugged in for at least 30 minutes after it shows 100%.

What Is Adaptive Charging?

It's the other choice on the same screen. "Adaptive Charging" learns when you usually unplug your phone and finishes charging to 100% shortly before that.

It needs about 14 days to learn your routine, and it may not kick in when your routine changes, like when you travel.

Choose it if you want a full battery every morning.

Does Pixel Limit Charging on Its Own?

Pixels also protect themselves. Google says that on a Pixel 3 or later, charging can be limited to around 70–80% in conditions like charging in high heat for a long time.

How to Set a Charging Limit on Samsung Galaxy

Samsung calls it Battery protection.

1. Open "Settings" → "Battery" → "Battery protection".
2. Turn on the switch at the top.
3. Choose "Maximum".
4. Use the slider to pick your limit: 80%, 85%, 90% or 95%.

Samsung says you can pick the limit like this from One UI 7. Charging starts again when the battery drops about 2% below your limit.

Other Samsung Battery Modes

The other modes are:

• Basic: charging stops at 100% and starts again at 95%.
• An overnight mode: On One UI 6.1 and One UI 7, this was called "Adaptive". Samsung's newer support page describes "Sleep time protection" instead. It holds the battery at about 80% while you sleep and finishes charging close to 100% before you wake up. Samsung says it takes about two weeks to learn your sleep pattern.

On older Galaxy phones, look for "Protect battery" under "Settings" → "Battery". It limits charging to 85%.

Samsung also notes that menu names can differ by model, country and software version.

How to Set a Charging Limit on Other Android Phones

Other brands have their own versions, with their own names.

• OnePlus has Optimized Charging, which holds the battery at 80% overnight and tops it up before you wake. Newer OxygenOS versions also added a "Charging limit" option under "Settings" → "Battery" → "Battery health".
• Other phones: open "Settings" and search for "charging", "battery health" or "battery protection".

It's worth two minutes of looking.

What If My Phone Doesn't Have a Charging Limit?

You can still do it by hand.

• Unplug at around 80% when you can.
• Don't charge in hot places. Samsung says its phones are designed for 0–35°C, and warns against leaving them in a hot car.
• Don't leave your phone charging under a pillow or in direct sunlight.

What Happened to the Root Method?

In the old version of this post, I showed you how to open a system file with a root file explorer, change charging_enabled from 1 to 0, and then install a Charge Limit app from a download link.

I've taken all of that out. On most new phones you don't need root for this anymore, and I wouldn't install an app from a random download link today.

Also Read: Worst Apps for Android: 6 Types of Apps You Should Avoid

Final Thoughts

Setting a charging limit is one of the easiest ways to keep your battery healthy for longer.

My pick: "Limit to 80%" on a Pixel, or "Maximum" at 80% or 85% on a Samsung, if you usually have battery left at night. If you need 100% every morning, use the overnight option instead.

Want to charge faster too? Read my guide on how to charge your Android phone faster.

FAQs

Can charging overnight make my Android phone explode?

No. Your phone stops charging by itself when it's full, and the real problem with overnight charging is slow battery wear, not explosions.

Do I need root to set a charging limit on Android?

No. Most new phones don't need root for this, and Pixel and Samsung have a limit built into Settings.

Which Pixel phones have the Limit to 80% option?

"Limit to 80%" needs a Pixel 6a or later. Turn it on under "Settings" → "Battery" → "Battery health" → "Charging optimization".

What if my Android phone has no charging limit?

Unplug at around 80% when you can, and keep the phone out of hot places and direct sunlight. Search "Settings" for "charging", "battery health" or "battery protection" first.

Still stuck? Tell me through the contact page.