3 Common Charging Mistakes That Apple Experts Warn Are ‘Ruining’ Your iPhone Battery

This article has been updated since it originally published on February 1, 2023. 

You may feel like you’re doing everything right with your iPhone, including keeping it out of extreme temperatures and updating your software the minute a new iOS becomes available. But if you aren’t charging your device correctly, it could negatively affect your battery down the road. There are a few common charging mistakes that many people make, usually because they far more convenient and less time-consuming. Change these bad tech habits ASAP to keep your battery running as efficiently as possible. 

One of the most common mistakes people make when charging their iPhone is to power it up while it’s plugged into a power outlet instead of using the chargers that came with the device, according to Ivan Lovre Marusic, CEO and owner of Game Taco. 

“Studies have shown that charging an iPhone while it’s connected to a power outlet is actually bad for the battery because it causes the battery to overheat,” Lovre Marusic said. “This can cause chemical reactions inside the battery that can lead to its breakdown and eventual failure.”

If you’re worried about your battery’s health, Lovre Marusic recommends using the charger that came with your iPhone and avoiding charging it while it’s plugged in to a power outlet. “It may not be as convenient, but it will likely save you from having to replace your battery in the future,” he said. 

It might seem like a good idea to make your phone’s charger its default hang-out spot when you’re not using it, but constant charging can be bad for your battery. “Keeping your iPhone charged all the time is likely the most crucial charging error to avoid,” said Tina Grant, quality assessor at  Aerospheres. “You risk damaging your iPhone if you charge it excessively before the battery is completely depleted. It’s just whereas an overcharged pack might have a negative impact on its lifespan.”