If you want a longer-lasting iPhone, one of the most important steps you can take is making sure you charge your phone correctly. But is there really a wrong way to charge your device, you may be thinking? Unfortunately, yes. You could be neglecting to do some of the most important things when charging your device — or using accessories that aren’t designed for your result. And the outcome to this might be your battery degrading faster than usual.
You can take immediate steps to make your phone last longer — start by avoiding these 10 detrimental charging mistakes if you want a long-lasting iPhone.
Don’t Use Cheap Charging Cables
You’ll save yourself a few dollars, yes, and we all love saving money, so the allure is understandable. But, at the end of the day, the trade-off isn’t worth it: cheap charging cables that aren’t Apple certified can degrade your battery over time. Always use cables that are either sold by Apple for its devices or are Apple-certified.
Don’t Use a Cheap Charger
Same idea as tip number one: a cheap charger only leads to problems in the long run. Invest instead in a charger that is certified to be safe for Apple devices — for your specific iPhone model — and your battery will thank you.
Don’t Let Your Battery Dip To 0%
Keep an eye on your battery and if you notice that it’s at around 20%, it’s time to grab your charger. Repeatedly allowing it to dip all the way down to 0% before plugging it in can affect your device’s longevity.
Don’t Use Your Phone While It’s Charging
If you want your phone to charge faster and more efficiently, stay off of it while it’s charging. Give it a rest and let it charge fully before unplugging and using it.
Don’t Charge Your Phone in Hot Places
Even if you’re just going to leave your phone in the car for a few minutes and allow it to charge, that car gets hot really fast — and high temperatures are your phone battery’s mortal enemy. Make sure you are only charging your devices in room temperature settings.
Don’t Use Battery Apps
There are a lot of apps out there that promise they can track your battery’s performance and help you maintain a stronger, longer-lasting battery. Be suspicious of all of them — even the free ones — and make sure any app you download has plenty of reviews to back it up.
Don’t Only Charge Your Phone From a Laptop
Charging your iPhone once in a while from your laptop is fine — it’s easy to do and could be most convenient. But charging it from a wall charger is always going to be more efficient.
Don’t Overcharge Your Phone
Gone are the days when you really couldn’t overcharge your phone for fear that it would cause its battery to overheat. But having overcharge protection doesn’t mean you should keep your phone plugged into its charger at all times, as this can still damage your phone’s battery.
Don’t Charge With Your Phone Case On
This tip isn’t without pushback because, let’s face it, how many of us are actually removing our phone cases each time we charge our devices? But the truth remains: if you want to avoid overheating, removing the case when charging your device can help (so can keeping your phone off of insulating fabrics like heavy blankets when charging it).
Wireless Charging is Fine — But Remove Phone Covers
Back to phone covers for a minute. Wireless chargers are fine to use, but they can heat up your device more rapidly than traditional chargers. One way to ensure your phone remains safe while wirelessly charging it is by removing the phone cover.
Following these 10 tips and avoiding common charging mistakes can help boost your phone battery’s longevity.
