Charging your iPhone to 100%? Better not, and this is why

Keeping your iPhone battery healthy for as long as possible is more important than just making it last through the day. Overcharging your device can stress the battery, leading to faster degradation and reducing its overall lifespan. While modern iPhones have built-in protections, limiting your charge can help maintain battery health over time.

How charge limit can extend battery lifespan

When an iPhone remains plugged in at 100% for long periods, the battery experiences unnecessary strain, which can lead to long-term damage. Apple addresses this issue with Optimized Battery Charging, a feature that delays full charging until you need to use your phone. However, if you want even more control, you can manually set a charge limit on newer iPhone models.

Starting with the iPhone 15, users can go to Settings → Battery → Charging and choose a maximum charge level between 80% and 100%. Even a slight reduction, like setting the limit at 95%, can contribute to better battery health in the long run. Apple states that occasionally charging to 100% may still happen to maintain accurate battery estimates, but consistently staying below full charge can help.

Should you worry about overcharging?

While limiting the charge can improve battery longevity, Apple has designed iPhones to manage charging intelligently. If you forget to unplug your device, iOS works to minimize negative effects. Other factors, such as heat and charge cycles, also influence battery aging, so charge management is just one part of battery care.

Ultimately, avoiding full charges whenever possible can extend your iPhone’s battery lifespan, reducing the need for premature battery replacements and ensuring your device performs well for years to come.