4 Battery-Ruining iPhone Charging Mistakes Tech Experts Say You Should Avoid At All Costs

A strong iPhone battery equals a longer lasting iPhone — plain and simple. Some things are out of your control when it comes to your phone’s battery. For instance, your device is going to grow older, that’s just the nature of owning a smartphone. With age, its battery will decline. The battery may need to eventually be replaced or you may find that when the battery is up for replacement, you are ready to purchase a brand new phone.

But there are times when your battery shows its decline long before it should. The way you’ve been charging your device can have a lot to do with this. If you’re making these four battery-ruining iPhone charging mistakes, you may be prematurely ruining your battery and phone.

Charging in Extreme Temperatures

Charging your phone in extreme temperatures, whether that means a freezing-cold car in the dead of winter or on the porch during a blazing-hot July, is a no-no for your iPhone battery. Its battery is very sensitive to temps and does its best work in room-temperature conditions. Avoid keeping it in the heat or cold for too long (placing it in your pocket or handbag will help) and only charge it in a safe temperature.

Using Non-Apple Certified Chargers

Cheap, third-party chargers are alluring for their affordable price. But these chargers and charging accessories aren’t always the best option for your phone. Depending on your phone model, they may fail to deliver the charge your device needs, which could cause the battery to heat up. A too-warm battery can suffer damage faster, so always make sure your charging accessories are compatible with your phone.

Allowing Your Phone to Drain

Don’t wait until your phone has drained to 3 percent battery before charging it. Waiting too long can actually degrade your battery faster. The lithium-ion battery performs its best when kept between 40 and 80 percent charged. Instead of performing one lengthy charging session, try charging your phone more frequently throughout the day, but for shorter periods of time.

Leaving the iPhone to Charge Overnight

Even though times have changed since your phone could overcharge past 100 percent, it’s still not advisable to keep your phone on a charger all night long. Doing so can place unnecessary burden and stress on your battery and cause trickle charging, which can lead to a heated battery. Opt for shorter charging sessions performed a few times throughout the day.