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I changed 8 settings on my Pixel phone to instantly improve the battery life

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Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Pixel phones have an excellent reputation for smart software, but battery life has been a common complaint with Google's smartphones. Thankfully, that same smart software is now improving battery life and longevity, though many features aren't set up for maximum endurance out of the box. I've found that a handful of features can dramatically improve how long your Pixel lasts, both in a single day and over the long haul.

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Here are the battery tweaks I rely on with my Pixel, and how you can set them up for the best results.

1. Use Battery Saver and Extreme Battery Saver modes

Jason Howell/ZDNet

Pixel's Battery Saver modes are essential when you need your phone to last as long as possible at a moment's notice. Standard Battery Saver is nice in that it immediately limits background activity, switches on Dark theme, and reduces visual effects that can tax a battery.

The real superhero is Extreme Battery Saver, going even further by pausing most apps and notifications to extend your battery for days if needed. Seriously, it's that effective.

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Here's how to set the modes up. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver and toggle on either Battery Saver or Extreme Battery Saver. You can go further by diving into the settings for Extreme Battery Save and choosing which apps stay active in Extreme Mode.

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