The One Scary Charging Mistake You Need To Stop Making In 2021

Don’t Charge Up To 100%

Charging your phone all the way up to 100% may feel like added security, but in reality it isn’t doing your device a lick of good. “Avoid charging your battery all the way up to 100% all the time,” Sengupta says. “Stop charging around 90%-ish. That’ll increase the battery health in the long run. And many electric cars do this too to maintain battery health for the long term.”

Don’t Wait Until Your Battery Drops To 0%

And, while you’re avoiding a completely full battery, keep in mind that waiting until your phone charge dips down into another extreme is also a bad idea. “Don’t draw your battery all the way up to 0% before charging it,” Sengupta says. “Plug it in at around 20% every time — that keeps the battery in good health in the long run.”

Avoid Overnight Charges

It’s tempting to leave your phone plugged into a charger all night long, but it isn’t the best thing for your device. “Now this isn't a big problem if you switch your phone every two years or so, but if you use your phone for longer then that avoid charging overnight,” Sengupta says.

Only Charge Your Phone When It Needs A Charge

Seems obvious, right? But it’s not uncommon to plug your phone in whenever it’s idle and assume that you’re doing what’s best for its battery. “Don’t keep your phone plugged in all the time, unplug it and use it normally,” Sengupta says. “Only plug it in only when you need to charge it, otherwise don’t.” 

These simple tips to keep in mind can prolong the health of your battery — and, best of all, they require few changes in habit.