7 Unexpected Charging Errors That Can Shorten Your Smartphone's Battery Lifespan: Using A High-Wattage Charger & More

When your phone begins to slow down, become less efficient, and drive you up a wall with how long it takes to download apps, upload files, or send texts, the culprit could be your battery — and you could be making mistakes that cause these issues.

As much as we hate to be the bearer of bad news or blame iPhone users for their phone’s sins, the good thing about coming to terms with how you could be contributing to your phone’s battery decline is that you can change how you charge your phone and make a difference in its battery’s longevity. Start by avoiding these seven unexpected charging errors that can shorten your smartphone’s battery life.

Using a High-Wattage Charger

A high-wattage charger may give you the impression of being more efficient because the assumption is that it will charge faster and in less time. But unless a charger is compatible with your iPhone and model, it can deliver the wrong charge for your phone and cause it to overheat. The last thing you want is an overheated battery: this can lead to battery degradation.

Charging Your Phone in Humid Conditions

You’ve no doubt heard about how bad it is to charge your device in extremely cold or hot temperatures — your phone’s battery is sensitive to extreme temps. But did you know how detrimental humidity can also be for your phone? Moisture can accumulate in your charging port and corrode it over time. Make sure your phone is always dry when charging it.

Using Damaged Cables

Phone cables get frayed over time — it happens. It’s tempting to keep them around for as long as possible so that you don’t spend more money on phone accessories, but damaged cables are bad news. Not only are they fire hazards, but can cause damage to your iPhone by delivering an improper charging speed.

Never Cleaning Your Charging Port

It’s easy for your phone’s port to get clogged with dirt and dust. Regularly cleaning it with compressed air or a soft brush helps release this debris so that your phone charges efficiently.

Using an Incompatible Charger

Trying to save a few dollars by purchasing a cheap charger is one thing — purchasing a cheap charger that delivers the wrong charge for your phone is another. If your charger isn’t compatible with your phone, it can cause battery degradation in the long run.

Charging Your Phone for Hours (and Hours)

Your phone doesn’t need to be charged for hours upon hours and doing so can be bad for your battery. Aim to keep it within the 40 to 80 percent charged zone at all times.

Wireless Charging With a Phone Case On

A wireless charger isn’t the demon some claim it is, but if you are going to use one, it’s a good idea to remove your phone cover first to prevent your phone from overheating.