Are you charging your iPhone wrong? Apple says one common habit could be killing your battery

For years, iPhone users have been plugging in their devices, waiting for that oh-so-satisfying 100% charge before unplugging. But what if that “full bar” is actually doing more harm than good? According to Apple, you might be charging your phone all wrong—and it could be shortening its lifespan significantly.

Why 100% Isn’t the Magic Number

It turns out, keeping your iPhone at a full charge for long periods can put unnecessary stress on the battery, causing it to degrade much faster over time. The constant strain of maintaining 100% battery can lead to reduced capacity, meaning your once-powerful iPhone might start dying on you faster than expected.

Apple’s advice? Stop charging your phone all the way to 100% whenever possible. Instead, a charge limit of around 95% can help preserve battery health in the long run.

Apple’s Built-In Solution to Protect Your Battery

Thankfully, Apple has already thought of this issue and introduced a feature to help. Optimized Battery Charging, available on iPhones, is designed to slow down battery wear by learning your charging habits and preventing your phone from staying at full charge for too long.

If you have an iPhone 15 or later, Apple even allows you to set a custom charge limit so your phone automatically stops charging before hitting that dreaded 100% mark. iOS may even suggest a recommended charge limit based on your usage to help keep your battery in top shape.

Other Charging Mistakes to Avoid

Beyond the 100% charge issue, Apple also warns users against using cheap, off-brand chargers that don’t meet safety standards. Not only do they pose a fire risk, but they can also damage your battery over time. Apple advises sticking to official Made for iPhone chargers or other USB 2.0-compliant adapters to keep your device safe and healthy.

The 20-Second Trick to Extend Your iPhone’s Life

If you want to take better care of your iPhone battery starting today, here’s what to do:

1. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
2. Turn on Optimized Battery Charging.
3. If available, set a charge limit (Apple recommends around 95%).
4. Use only certified Apple chargers.

This quick setting change takes less than 20 seconds but could add years to your iPhone’s battery life. So, the next time you plug in your device, remember—a little less charge today means a lot more battery life tomorrow.