2 Charging Mistakes That ‘Rapidly’ Drain Your iPhone Battery, According To A Tech Expert

July 17, 2025 by Lisa Cupido

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Your iPhone is one of the most-used tools in your daily life, and not an inexpensive one, so it makes sense that you’d want its battery to last as long as possible. But keeping your iPhone running smoothly isn’t just about plugging it in when it’s low—how you charge it can make a big difference in how well that battery holds up over time. iPhones use lithium-ion batteries, which are powerful but a little picky. Treating them right with smart charging habits can help you avoid those frustrating moments when your phone dies too quickly or needs a costly battery replacement way too soon.

One thing lithium-ion batteries really don’t like? Extremes—especially when it comes to temperature and charge levels. Leaving your phone in a hot car or using it in freezing conditions can seriously shorten your battery’s lifespan, and bad charging habits only make it worse. Luckily, there are simple things you can do to protect your phone’s power source and keep it performing at its best. And while there are a few common mistakes people make without even realizing it, there’s one big charging habit that experts say you should always avoid if you want your iPhone battery to stay healthy and long-lasting.

Mistake 1: Charging Your Phone to 100% Every Time

It might feel satisfying to see your iPhone hit that full 100 percent charge, but doing this regularly isn't the best thing for your battery's long-term health. iPhone batteries operate most effectively when they stay in the middle of the charge range, ideally between 20 and 80 percent (the sweet spot). Pushing your phone to 100 percent too often can put unnecessary stress on the battery’s, slowly reducing its overall capacity over time. It can age it faster and make it lose its ability to hold a charge as efficiently.

A smarter way to charge your phone is to unplug it once it reaches around 80–90 percent, especially if you're not planning to use it for heavy tasks right away. You can also enable Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging feature, which learns your routine and slows the charge once it reaches 80 percent so that you don’t overdo it. This helps minimize battery aging while still giving you the power you need.

Mistake 2: Letting Your Phone Drop to 0%

Extremes aren’t good for your iPhone battery, whether that means charging it to 100 percent or letting it drop to 0 percent. Allowing your iPhone to die completely before recharging might seem harmless, but it's actually taxing on your battery and puts stress on the battery’s internal components, which can lead to reduced capacity over time. In extreme cases, if a battery stays at 0 percent for too long, it can even stop charging altogether. Frequent full discharges speed up battery wear and tear, making your phone's power run out faster over time.

Instead of waiting for your phone to die, try to plug it in when it hits around 20 percent. This helps your battery stay within its optimal performance range. If you're out and about, consider using a portable charger to top up before you hit the danger zone. By avoiding both the extremes—0 and 100 percent—you can help keep your battery healthier, longer, and your phone won’t surprise you with sudden shutdowns when you need it most.

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