The Google Pixel is a beast of a phone and, depending on the model you have, will receive up to 7 years of updates from Google, which should keep you secure and feature-rich for years. If you plan on keeping your phone for a while, you'll want to ensure the battery stays healthy. To keep your battery in fighting shape for years to come, here are 5 things you need to avoid doing. Spoiler alert: most involve heat avoidance!

#1 Fast Charging Your Phone Overnight In Your Bed

My wife is especially guilty of this one, as I'm sure many of you are. Some of us like to scroll through Instagram or stream a show or two before bed. As such, you may think it's a good idea to plug in your favorite device while consuming your favorite content. This action by itself is normally ok. Where it becomes a problem is if you fall asleep while watching with your phone snuggled up next to you like a teddy bear.

If you roll on top of your phone or a blanket or pillow lands on it, airflow is completely cut off. This, coupled with rapid charging pushing high wattage into your Pixel, can create excessive heat. And heat, as we all know, is the greatest enemy of a lithium-ion battery. Cuddle with your spouse or favorite stuffy, and give the Pixel some space on your nightstand.

#2 Using The Beta Android Builds on Your Daily Driver

I made this mistake with an iPhone around the time the Liquid Glass UI was unveiled. I immediately downloaded the beta release to enjoy the new UI elements and nearly instantaneously regretted it. There were tons of buggy background processes and the phone got hot constantly. Prior to downloading the beta, my battery health was at 93%, and after only a few weeks it dropped to 89%.

Downloading the latest and greatest is cool, but avoid doing it on your daily driver if you rely on it daily. Beta builds often include extra logging, background processes, and unfinished power optimizations. You'll deal with bugs, and the added heat and drain can increase charge cycles over time.

#3 Wireless Charging Your Phone In Direct Sunlight

If you take frequent road trips like me, you're probably guilty of this one. Wireless charging in and of itself isn't terrible, but it is less efficient than wired charging and generates more heat as a byproduct. And if you've got one of those wireless chargers mounted directly in the middle of your dash, you are literally cooking your phone.

If you must use a wireless charging mount, try the variant that attaches to your A/C vent so it gets a stream of cool air to combat the sunlight. Alternatively, use a flat charger that sits below the climate controls where it's shaded.

#4 Using Your Pixel as a Hotspot While in Your Bag

If you're grinding through complex code or a long Google Sheets spreadsheet on the go, chances are you'll be using your phone's built-in hotspot. While acting like a portable router, your phone maintains a cellular connection, broadcasts Wi-Fi, handles notifications, and runs background processes — all of which generate heat.

If the phone is sealed inside a backpack, laptop sleeve, or even a pocket, it traps that heat with no airflow. Add charging to the mix and it will warm up fast. Either leave your phone on your desk or crack your bag open enough to allow some air to circulate around it.

#5 Charging with a Misaligned Wireless Charging Stand

The Pixel Stand is one of the best wireless chargers you can get for your Pixel because it was designed for proper coil alignment. One of its advantages is that it's nearly impossible to misalign your phone while using it. Unfortunately for owners of the Pixel 10 series and later, Pixel Snap (Google's answer to Apple's Magsafe) makes using the Pixel Stand 2 impossible.

Other, cheaper stands make it easy to place your phone slightly off-center. Poor alignment reduces charging efficiency and can generate additional heat as the charger compensates. This happens often if you're in a rush or adjusting viewing angles while streaming content on your Pixel.

Honorable Mention: Only Using Fast Chargers

Fast chargers are super convenient and great if you need battery life in a pinch. But all that speed comes at a cost. Excess heat. Whenever I'm not in a rush or can sit still for an hour or two, I opt for my 10 to 20 W chargers over the max 39 W (for Pixel 10 Pro XL). The lower charge speeds result in less heat generated which is great for overall battery health.

Keep the Pixel Cool and it'll Last for Years to Come

When it comes to your Pixel's overall health, heat is public enemy numero uno. After dropping 1k+ on a device, you'll want to keep it around for years. And if you're a power user (which all MattFlows.com visitors are), then you'll be putting the Pixel to work running Gemini, Workspace Automations, writing blog posts, and more. By avoiding the common pitfalls outlined in this article, you'll keep the AI powered super computer in your pocket healthy for years to come!

P.S. Here's the charging stack I run with all my phones:

  • Wired: Razer Flex Cable with 20W Charging brick - Razer includes a high quality, long flexible cable with their mice. I use the one that came with my Razer Naga to charge my Pixel while using my phone in bed. The cord is just long enough to reach from my night stand to my side of the bed.
  • Wireless: MOZTECH Qi2 Magnetic Charging Pad with Cooling Fan - When I'm at my desk working, I use Moztech's wireless charger. It has a built in fan that keeps my Pixel from getting too hot.