Even if you keep your iPhone in great condition, incorrect charging practices can still have a detrimental impact on the battery’s health over time.
Many iPhone users, including myself, sometimes make common charging mistakes, often due to convenience and a desire to save time.
These mistakes may seem minor, but they can have significant consequences for the battery’s performance in the long run.
If you want to extend your iPhone’s battery life, avoid these 5 charging mistakes.
1. Using Non-MFI-Certified Charging Cables
One of the most common mistakes iPhone users make is using non-MFI-certified charging cables.
MFI, which stands for “Made for iPhone,” ensures that the cable meets Apple’s strict standards for compatibility and safety.
Using uncertified cables can lead to issues such as slow charging, overheating, and even battery damage.
What to do:
Investing in high-quality, MFI-certified cables is essential for maintaining your iPhone’s battery health.
2. Leave Your iPhone Plugged In All the Time
We’ve all been there: We leave our phones plugged in at all times, whether by the bedside, in the car, or at our desk.
While convenient, this near-constant charging might actually be harming your iPhone’s battery health in the long run.
Even though your iPhone has a built-in chip to prevent overcharging, it does not like constant charging.
Those small, frequent top-ups from barely dipping below 100% add up over time, stressing the battery out and leading to shorter battery life and even slower performance.
What to do:
Instead of constantly topping off, try letting your battery drain closer to 20% before plugging it in.
This larger charging cycle puts less stress on the battery, helping it maintain its capacity and peak performance for longer.
3. Charging Your iPhone in a Hot Environment
Charging your iPhone in environments with high temperatures, such as near heat sources or under direct sunlight, is a recipe for disaster.
This heat stress can damage your battery over time, reducing its capacity to hold a charge.
What to do:
To preserve your iPhone battery health, always charge it in a cool, well-ventilated area at room temperature.
4. Using the Phone While Charging
Many of us are guilty of using our iPhones while they’re plugged in, but this habit can put undue strain on the battery and other components.
Your iPhone is much more prone to overheat while charging, which can negatively affect the charger and battery.
What to do:
If possible, your phone should be at rest while being charged.
If you must use it, especially during activities that drain the battery the most, such as streaming videos or playing graphics-heavy games, you should unplug it and re-plug it once you’re done.
5. Letting Your iPhone Die Before Charging
You’ve probably heard to let your phone battery drain completely before charging it, but this advice is incorrect.
Lithium-ion batteries degrade the most when fully discharged or below 20% due to excessive heat generated inside the battery. Over time, this can lead to faster battery degradation.
What to do:
That’s why you should keep your iPhone battery between 20% and 80% for optimal battery health.
As a general rule, plug it in when you get the 20% alert and take it out when the Low Power Mode turns off at 80%.
Bonus – Charging at a Public Charging Station
It is not a good idea to charge your iPhone in free public charging stations, such as those found in hotels and airports.
The FBI and FCC warn of “juice jacking,” where hackers use these stations to infect your phone with malware.
This malware can steal your data and passwords or even give hackers complete control of your phone. For tips and tricks, here’s how to protect your phone from hackers.
What to do:
We recommend you always carry your own charger and plug it directly into a wall outlet.
If you must use a public station, only use your own cable and stay glued to your phone, or consider a “charge only” cable blocking data transfer.
If you have any questions, let us know in the comment below.
