Google requires open USB Power Delivery fast charging standard in Android devices

Future Android phones should be compatible with USB-C Power Delivery. Google requires the standard for fast charging in Android, so that manufacturers can no longer only use their own standards.

Manufacturers are obliged to use the usb PD standard, according to a document from Google that XDA Developers holds. If they do not support usb PD, they are not allowed to run Google services on the devices. The Power Delivery standard must be compatible with USB-C connections. The obligation applies to new Android devices that run on Android 9 or 10. The document XDA holds is dated September 3 this year, but says the guidelines apply to phones “from 2019.” The document also does not specify which profiles should be supported in addition to standard 5V3A loading.

USB Power Delivery is an open standard for fast charging. At the moment, many manufacturers such as Samsung and OnePlus still use their own standard to charge phones faster. As a result, users must have a specific charger. It is not the first time that Google has played with such a plan. When introducing Android 7 Nougat, the company already said that this open standard will probably become mandatory in the future.

In addition to USB-c Power Delivery, manufacturers must in the future be obliged to add Google’s own Digital Wellbeing to Android devices. This is an app that allows users to monitor how long they use certain apps and adjust settings to limit their phone usage. Digital Wellbeing was released at the same time as Android 9 Pie. Many phones already have this function, but in the future it will become a requirement. Family Link, the app to set up parental controls, will also be mandatory.