You may be wondering what could be so complicated about charging your device. While the act of plugging your phone into a charger takes zero effort or tech know-how, the fact remains: you could be doing it wrong without even knowing. And when you make charging mistakes, your phone’s battery can suffer. One of the key ways you can maintain a strong battery that goes the distance is by getting into good charging habits and knowing which common missteps to avoid. This is the one charging mistake that is ruining your iPhone’s battery, according to experts.
Charging Your Device Overnight
Sometimes the most convenient way and time to charge your phone isn’t the best thing for your device. Leaving your phone on a charger overnight works as a short-term solution for ensuring your device is powered up when you wake up and need to walk out the door. But it’s not the best long-term solution for a healthy battery, according to Tech Expert Maria Saenz, CEO at Fasttitleloans.
“By charging overnight, your phone’s battery is running for a long period of time at 100% capacity,” Saenz says. “You charge your phone overnight, it gets to 100%, and it sits there for eight to 12 hours, and then starts discharging until you wake up. That’s not a very healthy way to charge your phone.”
A better way to power your device is by charging your phone whenever you have the chance, Saenz says. “For example, if you have 15 minutes, use those 15 minutes to charge up your phone,” Saenz says. “If you have an hour, use that hour to charge up your phone. The point is that by charging your battery at smaller intervals like this; let’s say 5%, 10% or 20%, your phone’s battery will get charged more evenly. This means that it will be able to maintain a good capacity of energy inside. If it’s sitting at 5% for a couple of hours, that’s OK. It will rise to 10%, it will sit there, and then if you plug in your phone it’ll raise to 20% and then you can move on with your life.”
That’s exactly what your phone’s charging system wants, according to Saenz. “It wants a little bit of charge to go in all the time,” Saenz says. “This means that the battery itself can stay healthier for longer because it’s not being overcharged or undercharged.”
While you’re paying more attention to when you charge your iPhone, don’t neglect the devices you rely on to get the job done.
"The number one charging mistake people make is using a lower-wattage charger than what their phone requires,” says Morshed Alam, founder and editor at Savvy Programmer. “Using a charger with too low of wattage can actually damage your battery in the long run. If you're not sure how much wattage your phone charger should have, check your phone's manual or manufacturer website. Another charging mistake people make is leaving their phones plugged in after they're fully charged. Once your phone reaches 100%, the electrical current automatically begins to decrease and dissipate, which can damage your battery cells over time and lead to issues like shortened battery life. If you want to keep your phone's battery healthy for as long as possible, unplug it once it reaches a full charge."
Following these simple tips can help ensure your phone’s battery lasts as long as possible, saving you a ton of money in the long run.
