This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
A wireless charger is convenient because it helps keep your phone powered no matter where you roam. But there are charging pitfalls to avoid when using a wireless charger that you should know about in order to keep your battery working for years to come. We spoke with Miranda Yan, founder of VinPit, who let us in on the worst mistake you can make when wirelessly charging your iPhone.
Using Your Phone While It’s Charging
We live in a society where multitasking is a valuable trait. But, when it comes to your iPhone, the best thing you can do when it’s charging is leave it completely alone to charge and save your tasks for later.
“Whenever we use our smartphone while charging, the phone generates heat, and the heat is already generated due to charging, which damages the battery,” Yan says. “Apart from this, it also increases overall charging time.”
Dim Your iPhone Screen
“Dimming the iPhone screen is a good battery remedy because putting it on full brightness drains the battery,” Chan says. “Auto brightness may work for most people, but it is still a battery drainer through the light sensor. The best way to save charge is by adjusting the settings manually to the lowest visible level every time there is a change in lighting levels.”
Make sure you’re using proper or authentic accessories, especially when selecting a newer wireless charger. “Big brands like Apple always insist on using authentic accessories for charging both wired and wireless,” Yan says. “This is because the original one has an integrated overcharge-protector which provides safety to the device.”
Wireless charging has some advantages over wired ones like convenience and no wear and tear, but Yan cautions that wired charging should be preferred for long-term use.
“Wireless charging produces extra heat and relatively slow charging as compared to a wired one,” Yan says. “In general, a wireless charger takes 30-80% more time than a wired one to charge a phone completely. Thus, for excellent battery life, opt for wired charging.”
