This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Boosting your phone’s battery to get the most out of it is a daily goal for many iPhone users. But if something isn’t convenient or doesn’t gel well with the way you actually use your phone, you probably won’t continue adapting those habits your life.
“There are a ton of mistakes that many people make every day which affects the battery in pretty significant ways,” says Tech Expert Sayan Sengupta at P&S – A Perspective. “And honestly, if you follow all the rules and tips to improve your battery health in the long run, then sure your battery health would be great but you will not be able to use your phone as a phone very much. So it’s good to avoid the big mistakes while also using your phone, well like a phone. That way your battery life would be great and you can enjoy using your phone.”
It may be time to focus on just a few easy adjustments that can have a big impact. This is the one scary charging mistake Sengupta says you need to stop making in 2021 (and a few others that will also help).
Don’t Charge Up To 100%
Charging your phone all the way up to 100% may feel like added security, but in reality it isn’t doing your device a lick of good. “Avoid charging your battery all the way up to 100% all the time,” Sengupta says. “Stop charging around 90%-ish. That’ll increase the battery health in the long run. And many electric cars do this too to maintain battery health for the long term.”
Don’t Wait Until Your Battery Drops To 0%
And, while you’re avoiding a completely full battery, keep in mind that waiting until your phone charge dips down into another extreme is also a bad idea. “Don’t draw your battery all the way up to 0% before charging it,” Sengupta says. “Plug it in at around 20% every time — that keeps the battery in good health in the long run.”
Avoid Overnight Charges
It’s tempting to leave your phone plugged into a charger all night long, but it isn’t the best thing for your device. “Now this isn't a big problem if you switch your phone every two years or so, but if you use your phone for longer then that avoid charging overnight,” Sengupta says.
Only Charge Your Phone When It Needs A Charge
Seems obvious, right? But it’s not uncommon to plug your phone in whenever it’s idle and assume that you’re doing what’s best for its battery. “Don’t keep your phone plugged in all the time, unplug it and use it normally,” Sengupta says. “Only plug it in only when you need to charge it, otherwise don’t.”
These simple tips to keep in mind can prolong the health of your battery — and, best of all, they require few changes in habit.