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The Unexpected iPhone & Android Charging Mistakes That Are Secretly Draining Your Battery Faster, According to Tech Pros

April 12, 2026 by Abigail Connolly
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Charging a smartphone might seem like a super simple process, and one that you can’t mess up. However, some charging habits can mess up your overall device and battery.

Believe it or not, there are some ways your charging experience can go rogue, causing some issues with your device’s battery and function. There are a lot of things that can be considered charging mistakes, and for a lot of people, they’re seen as everyday habits. Read more about two unexpected charging mistakes that you might not realize could be draining and hurting your battery over time below.

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1. Using Your Phone While It's Charging

There are a lot of smartphone users who are on their devices for the majority of the day, and therefore, even use them while they're charging. This could be via scrolling while charging in bed, using it while it's plugged in for work, etc. However, this common habit can actually cause some major damage over time.

 

"Phones are simultaneously taking in energy from the charger and supplying energy to apps, and the amount of energy being pulled into the phone in one direction and pushed out in another direction creates more heat than most people even realize they are putting on their devices," says tech pro Mark Friend. "Heat is the enemy for batteries, and charging while using the device is a leading cause of creating heat. Since both of these tasks are happening simultaneously, the battery of the phone is subjected to more heat than it can withstand, which is creating more damage to its battery."

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3. Dating Apps

Hope this doesn't kill your romantic vibe, but the dating app or apps you use can make a bigger impact on your device's battery than you may think. They use and incorporate a lot of features, from needing your location to even displaying ads between swipes, putting more strain on your battery.

 

"Online dating can be emotionally exhausting, and your phone feels the same way," notes Steele. "Bumble, Grindr, and Tinder account for 15% of the top battery-draining apps. They each let about 11 features run while you swipe on potential matches."

Author:

Editorial Assistant

Abigail is a journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. As an Editorial Assistant for SheFinds, she covers topics ranging from celebrity news and fashion to wellness. She has written for other publications, including Chip Chick, Bandsintown, BroadwayWorld, and more. When she isn't writing, Abigail loves spending time in the city with her friends, being a 'dog mom' to her Chihuahua, and singing along to some of her favorite music.

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