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You might be damaging your smartphone battery without realising. Many common charging habits like leaving your phone plugged in overnight to using cheap cables can accelerate battery degradation, leading to shorter battery life, reduced performance and unexpected shutdowns.
While all smartphone batteries naturally wear out over time, certain common mistakes speed up the process. The good news: avoiding these mistakes can significantly extend your phone's lifespan and keep it running smoothly longer. Here are eight charging mistakes you need to stop making right now:
1. Avoid complete charging cycles
One common myth is that batteries need to be fully discharged and recharged occasionally. This was true for older nickel-based batteries, but not for lithium-ion or silicon-carbon batteries used in modern smartphones.
Regularly charging from 0% to 100% puts stress on the cell. Lithium-ion and silicon-carbon batteries last longer when operated within a moderate range, such as 20% to 80%. Smaller, more frequent top-ups are healthier for the battery than deep charge cycles.
Why is partial charging better
| Charge Level | Effect on Battery |
| 0–20% | Higher stress due to low voltage |
| 20–80% | Balanced voltage; ideal for long-term use |
| 90–100% | Increases wear due to high voltage |
Keeping your phone between 20% and 80% can slightly improve battery longevity over time.
2. Don’t charge your phone overnight
Leaving your phone plugged in overnight is convenient, but it can shorten the battery's lifespan.
Once a phone reaches 100%, it often continues drawing small amounts of power to maintain that level, leading to trickle charging. This can generate heat and gradually wear down the battery.
Why it matters
- Continuous charging increases heat buildup.
- The battery remains at a high voltage, which can speed up degradation.
- Phones cycle small portions of the battery overnight, creating mini charge cycles that add up over time.
If you need to charge overnight, enable features like Optimised Battery Charging (iPhone) or Adaptive Charging (Android), which pause charging at around 80% and complete it before you wake up.
3. Avoid charging while gaming or streaming
Charging your phone while performing heavy tasks like gaming, video editing, or streaming creates a parasitic load, according to experts.
This happens when your smartphone consumes significant power while charging, resulting in inconsistent charging cycles and increased heat.
What happens during parasitic load
| Action | Effect |
| Gaming or streaming while charging | Generates excess heat |
| Charging under heavy load | Causes battery “mini-cycles” |
| Using bypass charging (if available) | Sends power directly to components, protecting the battery |
To avoid stress, keep workloads light while charging. Light web browsing or texting is fine, but gaming and streaming are better done when unplugged.
4. Keep your phone cool
Heat is one of the main reasons for reduced battery life. High temperatures can accelerate battery wear, especially when combined with a fully charged battery.
Always charge your phone in a cool, well-ventilated area.
Ideal temperature ranges
| Temperature Range | Battery Health Impact |
| 20–30°C (68–86°F) | Safe and optimal |
| 40°C (104°F) or above | Capacity loss increases significantly |
| 60°C (140°F) | Severe degradation is possible within months |
Avoid charging your phone under a pillow, on a bed, or in direct sunlight. Wireless charging can also generate more heat, so ensure the phone stays cool while charging.
5. Limit use of fast charging
Fast charging is convenient but generates more heat than standard charging, especially when charging for long durations. While it’s safe for short top-ups, prolonged use may cause stress to the battery.
Tips for safe fast charging
- Use fast charging only when needed.
- For daily charging, switch to a slower charger if possible.
- Avoid charging from 0% to 100% using high-wattage adapters.
- Keep your phone on a flat, hard surface to help dissipate heat.
Modern phones often include temperature-aware fast charging that slows the current when heat levels rise. Keeping this feature enabled helps preserve battery health.
6. Store your phone properly
If you plan to store your phone for an extended period, avoid keeping the battery fully charged or completely drained. Batteries left at 100% charge degrade faster, while batteries left at 0% charge can fall into a deep discharge state and fail to recharge.
Best storage practices
| Condition | Recommendation |
| Charge level | 40–50% before storage |
| Storage environment | Cool, dry place (20–25°C / 68–77°F) |
| Long-term inactivity | Recharge to 50% every 6 months |
7. Use trusted accessories
Charging with uncertified or cheap third-party adapters and cables can result in inconsistent voltage or overheating. Always use original or certified accessories from your phone manufacturer. Look for labels such as “MFi Certified” (for iPhone) or “USB-IF Certified” (for Android) to ensure the charger meets safety standards.
8. Calibrate your battery occasionally
While modern smartphones automatically manage battery readings, older devices might display inaccurate percentages. To recalibrate occasionally:
- Charge your phone to 100% and keep it plugged in for two hours.
- Use it until the battery drains completely.
- Recharge to 100% again without interruption.
This helps your phone display the charge level correctly, though it’s not necessary for most new models.
Key things to remember
| Dos | Don’ts |
| Charge in a cool, ventilated place | Charge overnight or while covered |
| Use partial charges (30–80%) | Fully drain or charge daily |
| Enable adaptive/optimised charging | Disable system charging protections |
| Use certified chargers | Use unverified cables or adapters |
| Light use during charging | Game or stream while plugged in |
Maximising your smartphone’s battery life doesn’t require complex steps; just mindful charging habits. Avoiding heat, complete charge cycles, and heavy use during charging can help maintain battery health for years. By following these simple guidelines and using your phone’s built-in battery optimisation features, you can ensure more consistent performance and longer battery lifespan.
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