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One of the most frustrating aspects of owning an iPhone is attempting to keep it charged so that it’s ready just when you need it most. It seems like our smartphone battery drops significantly — and quickly — when you least expect it. But there are steps you can take to combat battery drainage. Tech Expert Ludovic Chung-Sao, founder of ZenSoundproof.com, spoke with SHEFinds.com about the four things you didn’t know you could do to make your iPhone battery last longer. They’re simple, effective — and will give you back precious battery power.
1. Avoid having your battery drop under 20% and over 80%
Balance is key here.
“Batteries are stressed when at 0% and 100%,” Chung-Sao says. “The chemical imbalance in the anode and cathode in low and high percentages stresses the battery and decreases its life.”
In other words, your iPhone prefers when your battery power is not extreme — in either direction.
2. Avoid charging overnight
It’s always better to charge your phone in smaller increments of time to avoid taxing the battery. “When you charge your phone overnight, once the phone reaches 100%, the charging will stop,” Chung-Sao says. “While this is good, the issue is with regard to the point above (the 100% state).”
3. Avoid using your phone in direct sunlight and/or while charging
Remember that point about your iPhone not like anything extreme? That applies to temperature changes, as well. “The biggest enemy of Li-ion batteries is heat,” Chung-Sao says. “Avoid using your iPhone under direct sunlight or when the battery is charging, as going above 35°C is simply not recommended by Apple. Fast charging induces more heat than a traditional charging, thus does no good to battery life.”
4. Charge as soon as you’re under 50%
Charging your phone while it’s still in the sweet zone of between 20 and 80% is key when it comes to maintaining battery health. “A good rule of thumb is to charge your phone as soon as you’re under 50%,” Chung-Sao says. “In order not to reach 100% there are available apps that notify you to unplug your phone when reaching a set percentage (80% for example). Note that ASUS laptops and Tesla cars already use this functionality to reduce battery life degradation.”
