8 Common Charging Mistakes You’re Probably Making All The Time That Are Ruining Your iPhone—Plus What To Do Instead

Don’t Charge Your Phone All Day Long

Your phone shouldn’t live on its charger and only occasionally be picked up. Ideally, your phone’s charge will stay somewhere between 30 and 80 percent — it needn’t be charged to 100 percent at all times, and doing so can be a drain on your battery over time. 

Wireless Charging 

Wireless chargers can be far more convenient if you aren’t near an outlet, but they are also said to be less effective and reliable than traditional chargers. Thinking of these more as a “use them only when needed” accessory is the way to go. 

Using Power Banks 

Some power banks lack overcharge protection. As a result, you could be using one and sending far too much charging power to your phone — which can cause your phone to overheat and less your battery lifespan. 

Using Your Phone While It’s Charging 

If you can keep your hands off of your phone while it’s charging, it will only be helpful in preventing extra strain on your phone battery or causing it to overheat. Charge your phone during times of the day when you know you can stay off of it is always a good idea. 

Never Cleaning Your Charging Port

Your phone’s charging port can become clogged with dirt, dust, and debris. This gunk, which may be barely visible to the eye, can mean the difference between charging your phone effectively and experiencing a lag in its charging capabilities. To clean the charging port without damaging it, you can gently insert a toothpick into the port and remove debris. 

Make Sure Cables Aren’t Frayed 

Frayed charging cables aren’t just dangerous to keep around, they are also less capable of charging your phone effectively. Make it a habit to regularly inspect charging cables and replacing any that have incurred damage. 

These eight charging mistakes are so common, but also avoidable. You can easily change your charging habits and enjoy owning a phone that stands the test of time.