So many smartphone users can relate to the frustration and panic that hits when their iPhone battery suddenly drops below 5% and they have to wait around for it to charge.
It can be incredibly frustrating when your iPhone seems to be constantly draining battery life, even when you’re not using it much. One moment it’s fully charged, and just a few hours later, you find yourself scrambling for a charger. For many users, this ongoing issue feels like a daily battle, especially when you rely on your phone for everything from communication to work to entertainment. However, many tech experts believe there are actually better times to charge your iPhone than others, and knowing the right approach can make a big difference in how long your battery lasts. We spoke with tech experts about the “best” and “worst” times to charge your iPhones. Read more about what they had to say below.
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When Is The 'Best' Time To Charge Your iPhone?
Believe it or not, there is actually an ideal window for iPhone users to charge their phones, and it may not be at the time you're expecting. It doesn't necessarily have to do with what time of day you decide to charge your phone, but what range your battery percentage is in. Tech strategist Jorge Tijerino breaks down the ideal range for charging time.
"The best time to charge an iPhone is when your battery dips into the 20 to 30 percent range," says Tijerino.
"Lithium-ion batteries, which Apple uses, last longest when they're kept in the middle of their charge range instead of being run all the way down or left at 100 percent for hours," he continues. "Ever wonder why your iPhone sometimes seems to stall at 80 percent and won't charge straight to 100? That's by design. iOS includes an optimized charging feature that holds the battery at around 80 percent overnight and only tops it off right before you usually wake up."
While it's understandable if you can only make it to your charger when your phone is on the verge of dying, if you really want to make the most out of your battery, aim to plug it in between 20 and 30%.
What's The 'Worst' Time To Charge Your iPhone?
Well, at the end of the day, technically, the worst time to charge your iPhone is when it's already dead, as you'll have to wait for it to start back up and let it fuel up for a while. Other than that, there's a battery range you ideally do not want to enter when it's time to charge your phone.
"The worst time to charge is when the phone is already at or near full," explains Tijerino. "Constantly plugging in at 90 or 95 percent, or leaving it connected at 100 all day, puts extra wear on the battery's chemistry. Letting it drain all the way to zero isn't good either, since deep discharges shorten battery health over time. The sweet spot is avoiding those extremes. Keep your iPhone between roughly 20 and 80 percent, and you'll get the best performance and the longest battery lifespan."
If you're worried about preserving your iPhone battery and making sure it stays in tip-top shape, then you can look into having a few spare chargers to keep in your bag, at your office, and in your car, so you can keep charging it during the "best" time.
