3 Unexpected Charging Mistakes You Should Stop Making In 2024: Charging To 100 Percent, Heat Exposure & More

1. Charging Your Phone to 100 Percent

Many of us have the habit of plugging in our phone before bed and allowing it to charge all night long. But the problem with this charging habit is that it puts unnecessary stress on your phone’s battery and can cause degradation in the long term if it becomes a repeated habit. Studies are finding that smartphones work better when you charge them for shorter bursts during the day. Aim to keep your phone’s battery charge between 30 and 80 percent for the best battery outcomes.

2. Allowing Your Battery To Dip to 0 Percent

Similarly, it isn’t a good idea to drop the ball completely when it comes to your phone and its charge and allow it to dip all the way down to 0 percent. Every time you allow your battery to die completely, you are actually shortening the phone’s lifespan little by little, according to Tech Expert Shane Starnes. If you stick to the sweet zone of between 30 and 80 percent charged, your battery will retain its healthy state.

3. Exposing Your Phone to Heat

Extreme temperatures, including heat, are enemies of your phone’s battery. The ideal temperature range for your phone battery is between 32°F and 95°F. When you leave your phone in the car for even a short time or expose it to direct sunlight, it can rapidly heat up and that temperature increase can be enough to put a massive strain on your battery. If you are routinely charging your phone in a heated environment, or with the phone case on, this can also contribute to overheating and eventual battery degradation.

Correcting these mistakes and swapping one habit for another won’t take a lot of time out of your day and it will eventually become second nature. Best of all, it can save you a ton of money in the long run.