Battery Share, a feature introduced with the Google Pixel 5 in 2020, has undergone changes with the release of the Pixel 9 series. This feature, which allows reverse wireless charging, has seen some limitations in the new Pixel models, which might disappoint users expecting the same functionality as before.
For the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, Battery Share is only available when the phone is not connected to a charger. If you attempt to use Battery Share while the phone is plugged in, you’ll encounter a message stating “Battery Share is unavailable during charging.” This restriction is a shift from the previous models where Battery Share could be used regardless of the phone’s charging status.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold takes this change even further by not supporting Battery Share at all. This means that users of this particular model will not be able to utilize reverse wireless charging, a notable departure from the feature set seen in earlier Pixel devices.
The new restriction may not impact all users significantly, as Battery Share is generally used for charging accessories like wireless earbuds on the go, rather than while the phone is plugged in. Nonetheless, it’s a notable change for those who might have used the feature differently.
The probable reason for this adjustment is to preserve battery health. Using Battery Share while the phone is also charging could potentially shorten the battery’s lifespan. By limiting Battery Share to when the phone is not charging, Google may be aiming to enhance battery longevity and manage heat more effectively, even though heat has not been a significant issue in past models.
