How to Turn on Battery Saver on the Google Pixel 4A

To turn on Battery Saver on a Google Pixel 4a, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Battery Saver tile in Quick Settings. You can also go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver and turn it on there. When it’s on, the phone limits background activity and some features so the battery lasts longer.

This guide covers turning Battery Saver on and off, scheduling it, Extreme Battery Saver, and what changes while it’s on. The steps follow Google’s Pixel Battery Saver help page. Google writes that page for current Pixel software, and the Pixel 4a runs an older Android version, so some menu labels on your phone may be slightly different.

In this article:

• Turn on Battery Saver from Quick Settings
• Turn it on in Settings
• Turn Battery Saver on automatically
• Use Extreme Battery Saver
• What changes when Battery Saver is on
• Pixel 4a battery tips
• Frequently asked questions

Turn On Battery Saver From Quick Settings

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
2. Tap the Battery Saver tile. If you don’t see it, swipe down again to show all the tiles.

Result: Battery Saver turns on and its icon appears at the top of the screen. Tap the tile again to turn it off.

Turn It On in Settings

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Battery > Battery Saver.
3. Turn on Use Battery Saver. Older versions show a Turn on now button instead.

Result: Battery Saver stays on until you turn it off. Google notes that it also turns off on its own while your phone is charging.

Turn Battery Saver On Automatically

You can have the phone turn on Battery Saver when the battery gets low:

1. Open Settings and tap Battery > Battery Saver > Schedule and reminders. On some Android versions this is called Set a schedule.
2. Turn on Turn on based on battery level.
3. Drag the slider to the percentage you want.

Result: The next time your battery falls to that level, Battery Saver turns on automatically.

On the same screen, turn on Turn off at 90% to have Battery Saver switch off once the phone has charged to 90%. You can also turn on Battery Saver reminders. Google says these remind you at 20% and again at 10%.

Use Extreme Battery Saver

Google says Pixel 3 and later phones, which includes the Pixel 4a, can use Extreme Battery Saver. It goes further than standard Battery Saver: most apps pause, the processor slows down, and more features turn off.

1. Open Settings and tap Battery > Battery Saver > Extreme Battery Saver.
2. Choose when to use it.
3. To keep certain apps running, tap Essential apps and pick which ones stay unpaused.

Result: When Extreme Battery Saver is on, paused apps won’t send notifications. To use a paused app, tap it and choose Unpause temporarily. It stays unpaused until the next time Extreme Battery Saver turns on.

Google also lists these Extreme Battery Saver limits:

• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth still work, but Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning for location turn off.
• Your work profile turns off.
• Screen timeout drops to 30 seconds.
• Any hotspot or tethering stops. With Battery Saver off again, you can turn the Pixel 4A hotspot back on.

What Changes When Battery Saver Is On

According to Google, standard Battery Saver does the following on Pixel phones:

• Turns on Dark theme and dims the home screen wallpaper slightly.
• Apps refresh content like email or news only when you open them.
• Apps don’t run in the background unless you turn off battery optimization for them.
• Location services stop when the screen is off.
• The phone stops listening for “Ok Google”. Tap Google Assistant instead.
• Low-priority notifications may be delayed.
• “Always show time and info” turns off.
• On Pixel 3, Pixel 4 and later, car crash detection turns off.

Google says neither Battery Saver mode ever turns off essential system apps like Phone, Messages, Clock and Settings. If “Hey Google” interruptions are the problem, see how to turn off Google Assistant on a Pixel 4a.

Pixel 4a Battery Tips

If your Pixel 4a battery drains much faster than it used to, Battery Saver may not be enough. Google ran a Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program after an Android 13 update, which began rolling out on January 8, 2025. For some devices, that update reduced available battery capacity and affected charging. Google says the program ended on January 8, 2026, and that not every Pixel 4a was affected.

Lithium-ion batteries also wear down with use, and Google recommends considering a battery replacement if you notice a drop in performance. Turning on Battery Saver automatically can help a worn battery last between charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Battery Saver turn off by itself?

Yes. Google says it turns off while your phone charges, and it can also turn off automatically at 90% if you turn on that option.

Why are my apps not updating in Battery Saver?

Battery Saver stops most apps from running in the background, so they refresh only when you open them. Turn off battery optimization for an app if you need it to keep running.

Is it bad to leave Battery Saver on all the time?

No, but features like background refresh, “Ok Google” and location while the screen is off stay limited until you turn it off. You can use the automatic setting instead, so it only turns on when the battery is low.

Want to capture these settings? Read our Google Pixel 4a screenshot guide. Have an iPhone too? See how to turn on battery saver mode on an iPhone 13.

Want a quieter phone too? See how to turn off vibration on a Google Pixel 4a.

To balance battery life with convenience, you can also set a shorter screen timeout and turn on Screen attention on your Pixel 4a so the screen stays on only while you’re looking at it.