Why Charging Your Phone Overnight Is A Bad Idea In 2026, Tech Pros Say

Why You Shouldn't Leave Your Smartphone Plugged In Overnight

There are so many people out there who, as part of their nighttime routine, plug in their smartphones and leave them charging for the rest of the night.

It's understandable, as you want to wake up with a fully charged phone that should last you throughout most of the day. It can also be easy to forget to unplug your phone, especially in the middle of the night.

However, tech experts have been warning us for quite a while that this is a charging mistake that can take years off your battery.

"Your iPhone stops charging when it reaches 100%, but it continues to charge gradually to keep it full," says tech pro Ankush Chowdhury. "Heat produced by this process is one of batteries' biggest enemies. Over time, heat reduces the battery's capacity."

If you have an iPhone, many tech experts suggest turning on the 'Optimized Battery Charging' setting, so that your phone doesn't stay plugged in at 100% all night.

"Optimized Battery Charging is a feature offered by Apple that aids in this," adds Chowdhury. "When you need it, it waits to charge past 80% after learning your routine. I check my battery settings to make sure this feature is enabled. A minor alteration has a significant impact."