Now that you know there’s a right and a wrong way to charge your iPhone — and that you should never use inferior chargers to get the job done — what’s next? The answer: establishing a sensible charging approach and regimen that will keep your device in tip-top shape for years to come. For a more in-depth explanation of all-things charging, Tech Expert Sayyan Dutta, co-founder and editor at ReadUs247.com, explains how often you should charge your iPhone.
What is a solid charging routine?
iPhone batteries are designed to last till the lifetime of the phone, but that doesn’t mean they don’t degrade over time, Dutta stresses. “In order to get the most out of your iPhone battery, it’s important to keep it between 20 and 80 percent charged,” Dutta says. “This may seem like a small range, but it’s actually the sweet spot for lithium-ion batteries. When a battery is kept at 100 percent charge, it puts strain on the battery and can lead to degradation. Similarly, when a battery is allowed to drain completely, it can also damage the battery. By keeping your iPhone battery between 20 and 80 percent charged, you can help extend its lifespan.”
How can you tell if you’re charging your phone too much?
You may have heard about how you can charge your phone too much, there is still debate about how dangerous this actually is for your device.
“It’s a common myth that charging your iPhone overnight will overburden the battery and shorten its lifespan,” Dutta says. “However, this is not the case. Once the iPhone’s internal lithium-ion battery hits 100% capacity, charging stops. If you leave the iPhone plugged in overnight, it will use a bit of energy constantly trickling new juice to the battery every time it falls to 99%. While trickle charges can generate some amount of heat, many experts recommend taking the phone out of the case to charge overnight. But that’s not always feasible with a complicated protective case. Ultimately, there is no need to worry about damaging your iPhone battery by charging it overnight.”
A few more reminders:
Last but not least: be mindful of the conditions in which you are powering up your device. One of the most important things you can do when charging your phone is to never do so in extreme temperatures.
“iPhone batteries also don't like extreme heat,” Dutta says. “Keeping your iPhone out of direct sunlight and hot cars can help extend its battery life. Heat is the worst enemy of batteries," so it's best to keep them cool whenever possible.”
