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Charging your phone seems like a simple enough task — and it is. But it also requires knowing what NOT to do so that your device stays in tip-top condition. There are a few charging mistakes that are so common there’s a good chance you’re making one right now. But the problem is this seemingly innocent mistakes could be slowly destroying your phone. Tech expert Aamir Irshad, chief editor at PC Builderz, spoke to SHEFinds.com about five charging mistakes that can ruin your iPhone battery permanently.
Overnight Charging
This is arguably the most common mistake people make while charging their iPhones, according to Irshad. “Yes, it feels good to have 100% battery every morning, but it’s certainly not the optimal approach,” Irshad says. “Lithium-Ion batteries that we find in our phones today work best between 30-80%. So the best practice here is to charge it in short intervals.”
Discharging Your Battery Completely
“On the opposite side, some people let their phone’s battery completely dry before charging it,” Irshad says. “It was indeed a good practice when we had nickel-based batteries, but those are long gone. Lithium-Ion batteries are more optimized for multiple short charging bursts rather than one full charge.”
Using Knockoff Chargers and Cables
To save a few bucks, many people tend to use knockoff cables and chargers — but using these cheap chargers and cables for your iPhone not only slows down the charging process but also damages your iPhone with time, according to Irshad.
Not removing the case while charging
“Phone cases are good for protection against any damage but not for charging,” Irshad says. “Like any other smartphone, the iPhone heats up while charging. If it’s stuck in a case, then that heat will not disperse and may cause damage. Thus, you should always remove its case before charging it.”
Charging your iPhone when it’s too hot or too cold
The iPhone is optimized to work from 0℃ to 35℃, Irshad says. But exposing your device to extreme temps while charging it is a bad idea. “Going outside this limit in any way can be harmful - especially to its battery,” Irshad says. “So, make sure to bring it down to room temperature before plugging it in.”