You’ve got your shiny new iPhone and you’re eager to keep it charged up and ready to go. But here’s the thing: not all charging practices and methods are created equal. In fact, there’s a right way to charge your iPhone that will ensure optimal battery life and performance.
From the type of charger you should use to the best charging practices, we’re going to discuss iPhone charging and make sure you’re doing it right.
Key Takeaways
- Lithium-ion batteries like to be kept between 20% and 80%.
- Avoid extreme temperatures. Your iPhone battery hates heat.
- Most iPhone batteries are designed to retain 80% charge capacity after 500 battery cycles (under normal conditions).
- Use the original charger that came with your iPhone or high-quality MFi-certified chargers from reputable brands.
- Use the appropriate MFi-certified USB-C or Lightning cable for the fastest and most efficient charging.
- There are a lot of charging myths that remain after years of technological innovation and development.
iPhone Battery Terminology
To understand how an iPhone battery works, it’s important to know a couple of terms.
iPhone Battery Maximum Capacity – The amount of charge an iPhone battery can hold.
iPhone Battery Life – The amount of time an iPhone runs before needing to be recharged
iPhone Battery Lifespan – The amount of time a battery lasts until it requires replacement
Battery Cycle – Discharging the battery an amount that is 100% of your battery’s capacity
Understanding iPhone Battery Lifespan
To understand iPhone battery lifespan, it’s important to consider various factors such as the chemical reaction in an iPhone battery and how it degrades over time, charging habits, charger usage, and the type of charger being used.
Your iPhone uses a lithium-ion battery that will chemically degrade over time as it’s being charged and discharged. The battery won’t last forever and it was never intended to. Eventually, the battery will reach a state where its capacity is not able to properly provide power to your phone over the course of a day or even a few hours. At that point, it’s time to get a replacement.
The lifespan of an iPhone battery is counted in battery cycles. Every time you charge and deplete your phone the equivalent of 100% of the battery capacity a battery cycle is tallied. As the number of battery cycles grows, your battery life slowly degrades until the maximum capacity of the battery is no longer able to sustain the power requirements of the phone. At this point, it’s worth checking out Swappa to see how much it would cost to replace or upgrade your iPhone vs replacing the battery.
What is a Battery Cycle?
An iPhone battery under normal conditions is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles. That means that the battery can hold a charge up to 80% of its original battery capacity after that battery has been discharged the equivalent of 100% of its capacity 500 times.
One battery cycle can take multiple days. You may use 70% charge one day and then plug in your phone overnight. The next day, you use another 30% battery before noon at which point you’ve tallied 1 battery cycle because 100% of the battery’s capacity was discharged.
The capacity of the iPhone’s lithium-ion battery will slightly degrade after each battery cycle. This is due to the chemical reactions taking place in the battery as it charges and discharges.
Do I need to replace the battery after 500 cycles?
No. Once your iPhone reaches 500 battery cycles and more, it doesn’t mean it’s time to replace the battery. As long as you’re able to properly use your iPhone as it charges and discharges, it’s still a perfectly usable phone. However, if you’re not able to use the phone for a reasonable time without having to charge it or the device starts to shut down or restart prematurely, it may be time to change the battery.
How to Prevent Premature iPhone Battery Degradation
All you can do to prevent premature degradation is follow the best practices found in this article.
- Use Apple cables and chargers or MFi-certified accessories to charge your iPhone
- Temperature control your iPhone (not too hot and not too cold)
- Charge via a cord rather than wireless charging when able
- Try to keep your phone’s charge between 20-80%
Proper charging habits play a crucial role in maximizing your device’s battery life. Lithium-ion batteries, which power iPhones, prefer to be kept between 20% and 80% charged.
With a low battery state of charge, a higher chemical age, or hotter/colder temperatures, users are more likely to experience unexpected shutdowns. In extreme cases, shutdowns can occur more frequently, thereby rendering the device unreliable or unusable.
Don’t leave your phone in direct sunlight or in a hot car. Your phone will quickly overheat and the battery can be damaged.
Don’t charge a phone that’s been out in the cold. Charging a cold lithium-ion battery is not a great idea. Let it warm up before plugging it in.
When it comes to charger usage, it’s recommended to use the chargers that come with your iPhone or purchase a high-quality charger from a reputable brand that meets Apple’s MFi performance standards. Cheap knock-off chargers and charging cables can damage your device’s battery and overall performance.
The type of charger being used can also impact the charging speed and efficiency. For the fastest charge, you should use wired charging.
Importance of Using Genuine iPhone Chargers
Using genuine iPhone or MFi-certified charging accessories is essential for ensuring the compatibility, safety, and optimal performance of your device. Genuine iPhone chargers are designed to meet Apple’s quality standards, providing the best charging experience for your iPhone. Cheap, knock-off chargers may not offer the same level of protection and can potentially damage your device.
Can You Overcharge an iPhone?
It is not possible to overcharge an iPhone battery so it’s safe to keep your iPhone plugged in overnight. The iPhone automatically stops charging when the battery is fully charged. It will automatically resume charging if the battery level drops below 95 percent.
It’s recommended to use a wired cable instead of wireless charging whenever possible to charge your iPhone. While wireless charging is convenient, it has the potential to generate additional heat and excessive heat can damage a battery. Thankfully, wireless charging has come a long way over the past couple of years and while it’s not as fast as wired charging, the heat generated by wireless charging will have a small impact on the battery’s life.
Take advantage of the Optimized Charging feature available on iOS. This feature learns your daily charging patterns and helps slow down battery aging by reducing the amount of time your iPhone spends fully charged. It uses machine learning algorithms to understand your charging habits and resume charging to reach 100% just before you typically unplug your device.
The Best Charging Practices for Your iPhone
For optimal charging efficiency and battery longevity, it’s recommended that you follow these best practices when charging your iPhone.
- Use Apple cables and chargers or MFi-certified accessories to charge your iPhone
- Temperature control your iPhone (not too hot and not too cold)
- Charge via a cord rather than wireless charging when able
- Try to keep your phone’s charge between 20-80%
- Enable the Optimized Battery Charging setting
Use the original charger that came with your iPhone. Avoid using cheap knock-off chargers as they may not provide the right power output and can potentially damage your device.
Regulate the temperature of your iPhone. Don’t let your phone get too hot or cold. If you leave your phone in direct sunlight on your car’s dashboard or seat during the summer, it will quickly overheat and likely degrade your battery faster. The same is true during the winter, don’t leave it in your car overnight in freezing temperatures. The battery won’t be damaged just by being in the cold but charging a frozen battery can damage it. If your phone is out in the cold for an extended period, let it warm up before plugging it into a charger.
To achieve the fastest charge on newer iPhone models, use a charging cable (USB-C or lightning) with a charging brick that matches the maximum charging input for your iPhone. If your phone can charge at 30 Watts, use a charger that can output 30 Watts rather than a less powerful 15-watt charger.
Enable Optimized Battery Charging in your iPhone’s battery settings. This setting will help reduce battery aging.
Using the Right Cable for Charging
To ensure optimal charging efficiency and battery longevity, it’s crucial to use the correct cable for charging your iPhone. For iPhones up to iPhone 14, use a USB to Lightning cable. For iPhone 15 and later models, use a USB-C to USB-C cable.
To get the fastest charge, pair a USB-C or Lightning cable with a USB-C charger. Apple recommends using a 30W or faster charger for newer iPhone models.
It’s important to consider using the best Lightning cables and best USB-C to USB-C cables specifically designed for iPhones. These cables meet Apple’s standards and help prevent damage to your device. Look for MFi-certified accessories to know they meet Apple’s standards.
By using the right cable, you can ensure that your iPhone charges efficiently and effectively. This will help your battery last longer and provide you with more full charge cycles.
How to Wirelessly Charge Your iPhone
To wirelessly charge your iPhone, simply place it on a Qi-compatible wireless charger or use a MagSafe charger for faster and more efficient charging. For iPhone 8 and later models, a Qi-compatible wireless charger is recommended. These chargers come in various power options, ranging from 5W to 15W.
If you own an iPhone 12 or a later model, consider using a MagSafe charger. MagSafe chargers provide faster charging speeds, thanks to their magnetic fit. They also offer a power range of 7.5W to 15W, ensuring a quick and efficient charge for your device.
It’s important to note that wireless charging, like any form of charging, can generate heat. To maximize battery power and longevity, it’s recommended to remove any accessories or cases that may obstruct the charging process. Additionally, be sure to use high-quality Qi-compatible or MagSafe chargers to ensure the safety and efficiency of the charging process.
Is It Safe to Charge Your iPhone Overnight?
Charging your iPhone overnight is generally safe and beneficial for maintaining good battery health. Here are some important points to consider:
- Optimized Battery Charging: iPhones now come with the optimized battery charging feature, which helps slow down the battery aging process. It analyzes your daily charging patterns and waits until you need to use your phone before completing the charge to 100%. This feature helps reduce battery capacity loss over time.
- No Overcharging: iPhones are designed with a smart charging system that prevents overcharging. So, you don’t need to worry about leaving your phone connected to the charger for too long. It will automatically stop charging once the battery reaches 100%.
- App Usage: Using power-intensive apps while charging can significantly impact the charging speed. To optimize the charging process, it’s best to minimize app usage during charging, especially heavy apps like games or video streaming platforms.
Remember to use genuine cables and chargers for safe and fast charging.
Debunking Common iPhone Charging Myths
Even though previous myths about iPhone charging have been debunked, it’s important to understand the truth behind common misconceptions.
One common myth is that using your iPhone while charging can damage the battery. This isn’t true. Apple devices are designed to handle simultaneous charging and usage without any harm to the battery life.
Another myth is that charging your iPhone overnight can harm the battery. This isn’t the case if you have enabled the Optimized Battery Charging feature. This feature pauses the phone’s charging when it reaches 80% and resumes it just before you wake up (after it has learned your sleeping routine) which prolongs the battery’s lifespan.
Some users believe that fast charging their iPhone will damage the battery. This myth is semi-busted. Fast charging generates high heat levels and batteries don’t like excessive heat. However, Apple has designed the iPhone to handle fast charging without a negative impact on the battery’s health. The iPhone will fast charge up to 80% and trickle charge the remaining 20% to extend the battery’s lifespan. Note: Your iPhone may limit charging the battery above 80% if the phone is above a certain temperature threshold.
Some people believe you should try to limit charging to once a day or only when the phone is near 0% charge. That’s not the case. Regularly charging your iPhone throughout the day is beneficial for the battery’s life. It’s recommended to top up the battery when it reaches 20% or lower to keep it within the optimal charging range.
Maximizing Battery Life With Optimized Battery Charging
Maximize your iPhone’s battery life by implementing Optimized Battery Charging. This feature, introduced in iOS 13, uses machine learning to understand your daily charging patterns and helps slow down battery aging. Here are some tips to get the most out of Optimized Charging:
- Use a USB-C or Lightning Cable with a USB-C charger: This combination allows your iPhone to charge faster than wireless charging, saving you time and prolonging battery life.
- It’s OK to charge to 100% overnight: The software in your iPhone allows you to leave your iPhone plugged in overnight. There is no concern for overcharging or damaging your battery because your phone will stop charging when it reaches maximum capacity.
- Avoid cheap knock-off chargers: Using unreliable chargers can damage your iPhone’s battery and even pose safety risks. Stick to recommended MFi-certified chargers that have been tested and approved.
- Don’t leave your phone plugged in for long-term storage: If you are storing your iPhone or don’t intend on using it for a long period of time, don’t leave it plugged into a charger. Lithium-ion batteries like to be stored around a 50% charge level.
When Should You Replace Your iPhone Battery?
If you’ve noticed significant battery degradation or your iPhone frequently shuts down unexpectedly, it may be time to think about replacing the battery. Checking your iPhone’s battery health regularly in the settings can help you determine if a replacement is necessary.
Apple offers battery replacement services for iPhones, and third-party repair shops may also provide battery replacement options. Here are four reasons why replacing your iPhone battery could be a good idea:
- Restoring Performance: Replacing the battery can restore your iPhone’s performance and extend its usability, ensuring that it runs smoothly and efficiently.
- Improving Battery Life: A new battery can significantly improve your iPhone’s battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging and allowing you to use your phone for longer periods without interruption.
- Avoiding Unexpected Shutdowns: Replacing the battery can prevent your iPhone from shutting down unexpectedly, thus reducing the number of inconveniences and frustrations caused by sudden power loss.
- Charging Convenience: With a new battery, your phone will back up and running as it should. You wont have to charge the phone as often if it’s battery capacity is not severely degraded.
Replacing your iPhone battery when necessary can put your mind at ease, knowing that your device is ready to use whenever you need it.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of replacing your iPhone’s battery or need a backup phone to use while your phone is in the shop getting a battery replacement, grab a gently used iPhone on Swappa.
The Impact of Fast Charging on Your iPhone
Fast charging can have an impact on your iPhone’s battery health and performance. While it may seem convenient to charge your device really fast, it’s important to understand the potential drawbacks of fast charging. Here are some key points to consider:
- Faster charging can damage the battery: When charging is turned up to high speeds, it generates more heat, which can negatively affect the battery’s lifespan. Over time, this can lead to a decrease in battery capacity and overall performance.
- Learn your usage patterns: Understanding how you use your iPhone can help you make better charging decisions. If you typically have easy access to charging throughout the day, slower, regular charging may be more beneficial in the long run.
- Consider using optimized charging: To mitigate potential battery damage, Apple introduced optimized battery charging, which uses machine learning to understand your charging patterns and reduces the time your iPhone spends fully charged. This feature helps preserve battery health over time.
Storing Your iPhone
When you’re not using your iPhone for an extended period, such as when you’re going on vacation or leaving it unused for weeks or months, it’s best to charge it to around 50% before turning it off.
This practice protects the battery from dying while idle. Even when your iPhone is fully charged, it will still lose charge slowly over time. Therefore, it’s advisable to recharge it to around 50% every six months to maintain its optimal battery health.
Store the phone in a temperature-controlled environment if possible. A desk drawer or box in the closet is better than a storage unit or car.
Settings You Can Change to Double Your iPhone Battery Life
Proper Honest Tech makes some stellar Apple content. In this video, he breaks down the settings you should change in your iPhone to supercharge your battery life.