iPhone users know the struggle of trying to use their phones when it feels like their battery is constantly draining or doesn’t hold a charge long enough.
Interestingly, while there can sometimes be issues with your device’s battery that are out of your control, there are numerous things in your control, like your daily charging habits. Believe it or not, there are good and bad ways to charge your iPhone. Some of your daily charging habits may actually be making a significant impact on how your phone’s battery functions and how long it lasts. We spoke with tech experts about three “sneaky” charging habits that you may not realize can damage your iPhone battery. Read more about them below.
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1. Draining Your Battery Before Charging
For many people, their days get so busy that they find it difficult to charge their phone until it's drained past 10% and on its last legs. For others, that just seems like the logical thing to do - wait until your phone is about to die before plugging it in. However, tech experts have been warning that it's not a good idea.
"This isn't good for the battery, despite what many people believe," says tech expert and founder of Humanizer AI, Ankush Chowdhury. "When a lithium-ion battery, such as the one in your iPhone, reaches zero percent, it becomes stressed. They deteriorate more quickly under this stress. I aim to maintain a 20% to 80% charge on my phone. It's an easy habit that keeps the battery healthy. I simply plug it in when the battery is low rather than waiting for the low battery warning."
2. Leaving Your Phone Plugged-In All Night
There are so many people out there whose nightly ritual consists of plugging their iPhone in on their nightstand right before closing their eyes and falling asleep. It's understandable, given that charging can take a while, and most people want to start their day with a fully charged phone. But keeping your phone plugged in that long is not a great idea.
"Your iPhone stops charging when it reaches 100%, but it continues to charge gradually to keep it full," explains Chowdhury. "Heat produced by this process is one of batteries' biggest enemies. Over time, heat reduces the battery's capacity. 'Optimized Battery Charging' is a feature offered by Apple that aids in this. 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."
3. Using An Inexpensive, Unapproved Charger
While buying "inexpensive," accessible charging cables can be convenient, it's not a great idea if you want your iPhone battery to last as long as possible.
"These chargers may overheat or overcharge due to improper power regulation," notes Chowdhury. "This poses a risk to your safety and can cause significant harm to your battery. I only ever use MFi (Made for iPhone) certified chargers or Apple's official chargers. Although they are more expensive, they are made to safeguard the battery of your phone. To prolong the life of your battery, it's a wise investment."
