This article has been updated since it originally published on January 25, 2024.
Your iPhone charging habits are just as important as other tips you follow when it comes to your settings (such as keeping your brightness levels down to avoid killing your battery) and the apps you choose to download or keep out of your life for the sake of more storage space. Charging your device seems like a simple enough task, but it’s actually pretty common to make mistakes that could be putting your phone’s longevity on the line:
The tech experts at Payette Forward have identified some of the worst charging mistakes that are killing your battery.
Not Using MFI-Certified Charging Cables
“MFI” stands for “made for iPhone.” They have a built-in chip that is designed specifically for your phone, and if you’re using anything else, you’ll likely see a pop up on your phone appear that warns you that it’s not MFI-certified. Although it’s difficult these days to find a cable that isn’t MFI-certified, cheap “gas station cables” may still not be appropriate for your device, and using them can result in harm to your battery over time.
Don’t Use Overpowered Wall Chargers
It’s important to take care when purchasing wall chargers. Buying a fast charger that’s not an Apple fast charger causes your phone battery to charge too fast, which results in the battery overheating — a definite no-no.
Don’t Use Low Power Mode All The Time
Low Power Mode is a great setting to use in a pinch — and on occasion. This setting allows your phone to slow down, conserving battery power in the process so that you can maintain a charge until you find yourself able to power up your device. But Low Power Mode shouldn’t be used all of the time. And the reason for this is because treating it like a Band-Aid means you may not address the very real software problems your phone may be facing. No phone should dwindle from 80 to 40 percent in an hour — if yours is acting suspicious, addressing the root cause of this is important.
The good news about charging best practices is that there really are only a few basics that you need to keep in mind to ensure your battery stays in good shape. Avoiding these mistakes — purchasing charging accessories that are designed for your phone and not relying on Low Power Mode all of the time — can help.
