Google tests automatic AOD shutoff on Pixel to save battery

Google is preparing a Pixel update that will automatically switch off the Always‑on Display when the phone isn’t being used—an unobtrusive change aimed at shaving off power drain and stretching battery life.

Always‑on Display arrived with the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL back in 2017. It keeps time, notifications, and battery level visible on the locked screen, but it constantly sips energy. Unlike some Samsung or OnePlus models that let users set a schedule for AOD, Pixels haven’t offered that option so far.

Now, according to Android Authority, Google is testing automatic AOD management in an experimental Android Canary build. Strings found in the system code point to a capability that disables the display when there’s no user activity. In practice, the phone could decide the screen isn’t needed and temporarily turn it off—say, when it’s in a pocket or while the owner is asleep. It’s a modest tweak, but one that feels overdue for Pixel owners who value practical gains over flashy additions.

It’s not yet clear when the feature will land in a stable Android release. Based on the pattern of past updates, Google may bring it not only to new Pixel models but also to earlier devices, including the Pixel 6 Pro—an approach that would make the upgrade more broadly useful.