How to Extend the Pixel 9 Pro XL Battery Life

How to Extend the Pixel 9 Pro XL Battery Life

Written by: Franzria Ferriols

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Time to read 7 min

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is Google’s new variant this year which comes with great features. It’s  a larger Pixel 9 Pro or an iPhone Pro Max counterpart. With its bigger build, a lot of users are expecting bigger batteries. Howeverm, like all electronics, keeping the battery going all day requires a few tweaks.


With the right settings and habits, you can make your battery last longer. Let’s dive into a few hacks to maximize your Pixel 9 Pro XL battery life.

Are You Experiencing Faster Battery Drain in Your Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?

extending phone battery life concept

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 5060 mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for typical users. Experts and tests show that with moderate use, the battery can last around 8-10 hours of screen time. Meanwhile, some users have reported achieving 5 hours of screen time on the Pixel 9 Pro XL over a span of 13-15 hours before the battery-saver mode even kicks in.


Battery tests indicate that the device performs well, handling demanding apps and tasks, but heavy users may need to recharge by the end of the day. Reviews emphasize that using power-saving modes and managing background apps can further extend its battery life, though it doesn’t surpass some competitors in endurance.


Faster battery drain can happen due to background apps, high brightness, or network usage. If you’re seeing this on your Pixel 9 Pro XL, it might be time to adjust your phone’s power settings, and check out the following tips.

10+ Ways to Maximize the Pixel 9 Pro XL Battery Life

7 in 10 smartphone users upgrade their phones when their current devices start to lag behind battery life or performance. When Google released its Pixel lineup, many people were impressed with the battery capacities compared to other smartphones in the market. However, many factors, such as usage and habits, contribute to the fast draining of the battery.


Maximizing the battery life of the Pixel 9 Pro XL involves more than just standard settings tweaks. Here’s an extensive list of tips based on expert advice and user feedback.

1. Utilize Extreme Battery Saver Mode

The Pixel 9 Pro XL offers an Extreme Battery Saver mode, which can extend battery life up to 100 hours by limiting background processes and disabling unnecessary apps. Use this when you need extra longevity on low power.

2. Adjust Display Settings

Use adaptive brightness. Let your Pixel manage brightness based on ambient light, but tweak the setting to keep it from going unnecessarily high in bright environments.


✅ Pro Tip: While the 120Hz refresh rate looks smooth, reducing it to 60Hz (or letting the phone adjust automatically) significantly conserves the battery.

3. Turn Off Features You Don’t Use Regularly

Below are some features you can adjust based on usage to maximize your Pixel 9 Pro XL battery:


  • 5G: When you don’t need the extra speed, switch to 4G or Wi-Fi. 5G drains more power due to its high data processing needs.

  • Location Services: Turn off GPS when not needed or set location sharing to “Battery saving” mode.

  • Bluetooth and NFC: Disable these unless you're actively using them.

4. Custom Power Management for Apps

Many apps drain your battery in the background.


Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage and find the culprits.


You can either restrict their background usage or uninstall unnecessary apps.

5. Utilize Scheduled Battery Saver

Instead of manually turning on Battery Saver, set it to activate automatically at a specific battery percentage. This ensures a smooth transition to power-saving mode.

6. Adaptive Charging

If you leave your Pixel plugged in overnight, it will use adaptive charging to slowly top up, reducing wear on the battery. This is particularly important for long-term battery health.

7. Optimize Network Connections

If your signal is weak, your phone will use extra power to try to connect. Consider switching to Airplane mode in areas with poor signal or when you don’t need connectivity.

8. Limit Background Processes with App Standby

For apps you seldom use, put them into App Standby to prevent them from running in the background. This helps reduce unnecessary resource usage.

9. Minimize Widgets and Live Wallpapers

Live wallpapers and widgets that constantly update (e.g., weather, social media feeds) consume more battery. Switch to static wallpapers and reduce the number of active widgets.

10. Charge Using the Right Equipment

Use the official Google 45W USB-C charger to take full advantage of fast charging capabilities. The Pixel 9 Pro XL supports up to 23W wired charging, and sticking to official or certified chargers ensures optimal charging efficiency.


Pixel 9 Pro XL also supports fast wireless charging using Qi, and you can even make it compatible with MagSafe using a third-party case.

11. Manage App Notifications

Every notification wakes your phone, costing battery life. To do this:


  • Head to Settings.
  • Select Apps & Notifications.
  • Customize which apps can send notifications to limit interruptions.

12. Update Software Regularly

Google often rolls out software updates that improve performance and battery life. Ensure your Pixel is up to date to benefit from these optimizations.

Tips to Fix Pixel 9 Pro XL Battery Drain

man holding the Pixel 9 Pro XL while magsafe charging

Here are five more tips to help fix battery drain, including the benefits of using a MagSafe Pixel 9 Pro XL case.


Tip #1: Disable Always-On Display (AOD)


The Always-On Display feature, though convenient for checking time and notifications, consumes power. Turning this off in Settings > Display can save a considerable amount of battery throughout the day.


Tip #2: Use Dark Mode


Dark mode leverages the Pixel 9 Pro XL's OLED display, where pixels are individually lit. Dark mode turns off or reduces brightness in areas of the screen, saving battery life when browsing or using apps that support this feature.


Tip #3: Battery Optimization for Specific Apps


For high-draining apps like social media or streaming apps, you can manually apply battery optimization.

Tip #4: MagSafe Case for Improved Charging Efficiency


Although traditionally associated with iPhones, Pixel devices can also benefit from MagSafe-compatible cases if they support Qi wireless charging.


Thinborne aramid fiber cases allow for better alignment with wireless chargers, ensuring optimal charging efficiency and reducing energy waste during charging sessions. This leads to more effective charging cycles and less battery drain from inefficient charging.

Tip #5: Turn Off Google Assistant's "Hey Google" Detection


If Google Assistant's voice detection is always on, it constantly listens for the "Hey Google" command, which can drain the battery.


Turn this off by going to:


  • Settings
  • Google
  • Search, Assistant & Voice
  • Voice and disabling "Hey Google" on the device.

You can still use Assistant by manually triggering it.

Bottom Line

To maximize your Pixel 9 Pro XL battery life, use smart settings adjustments like Extreme Battery Saver, optimize display settings, limit background apps, and regularly update software. Simple tweaks like turning off the Always-On Display, using Dark Mode, and reducing connectivity when not needed can extend your battery life significantly.


Charging wirelessly with a MagSafe case ensures protection against wear and optimum alignment for more efficient charging.

🔑 Summary:

Extreme Battery Saver Mode can extend battery life up to 100 hours by limiting background processes.

Adjust Display Settings to lower brightness and refresh rate for more efficient power usage.

Limit Connectivity Features like 5G, Bluetooth, and GPS when not in use to save power.

Background App Management is crucial for preventing unnecessary battery drain from unused apps.

Dark Mode and Adaptive Charging are two simple, effective ways to improve both daily battery life and long-term battery health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Pixel 9 Pro XL battery draining fast after a software update?

After a software update, background tasks or new features may drain more battery until the system optimizes. Try restarting your device and check for apps using excess battery.

Does the Pixel 9 Pro XL support wireless charging?

Yes, the Pixel 9 Pro XL supports wireless charging, up to 23W, with compatible chargers. Using a MagSafe-compatible case can help with alignment for more efficient charging.

How long does it take to fully charge the Pixel 9 Pro XL?

With the official Google 45W USB-C charger, the Pixel 9 Pro XL charges to around 70% in 30 minutes, Google claims.

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Franzria F.

Content Writer of Thinborne - The super thin phone case made of aramid fiber.


"I write anything tech and help businesses reach their target audience with a messaging that best fits the reader's needs. I can obsess over grammar and bite-sized, readable sentences because I care about people more than search engines. When I'm not writing, I am just in charge of finding coffee shops.☕️"

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