Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google’s Android 13 QPR1 beta update has been made available for a variety of handsets.
- The beta introduces a new option for battery share.
- The new option allows battery share to turn on automatically when the phone is plugged in and senses another device.
The third Android 13 Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) 1 beta has made its way to a variety of handsets, including the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Along with this update comes a few new features, including a new option that can automatically turn Battery Share on.
As people begin installing the new Android 13 QPR1 beta 3 update, users are discovering a few new features that it has brought. One feature we’ve covered is the addition of Clear Calling. According to Android Police, the update has also added a new note-taking shortcut likely meant for the Pixel Tablet and new experimental folder animations. Along with these features, there is a new option for Battery Share.
Battery Share is a function that has been a staple in the Pixel line since 2020. It’s a feature that allows you to wirelessly charge other devices when they’re placed on the back of a Pixel. Before this update, you would have to manually toggle the feature on or off. However, his new option allows Battery share to turn on automatically.
Found on the Battery Share page in your settings, the option appears near the bottom of the page. If you toggle the feature on, reverse charging will turn on automatically only when the phone is plugged in and senses a device on its back.
The new option can operate independently from the main option. This means you could have battery share turned off, but still have this feature turned on and vice versa.
It’s not necessarily a world-changing feature, but this little update could be very helpful. This would be perfect for situations where you need to do something like charge your phone and Pixel Buds at the same time.
