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Recommend correct way to charge battery

Hi Community


I would know, if possible from Apple techs, the reccomend correct way to charge the battery in order to avoid aging, overcharging, increased charge/discharge cycles.


Many tests and studies, if they correct, suggest to not discharge below 40% and let battery charging only the time necessary to reach 100% and then plugging it off, not overnight.


Thanks

Posted on Nov 17, 2022 7:13 AM

Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 17, 2022 7:26 AM

When to charge your iPhone or iPad by Lawrence Finch will answer your questions.

12 replies

Nov 18, 2022 11:17 AM in response to Community User

Here's is Apple recommendation, something you could have found yourself with a bit of searching:


Batteries - Maximizing Performance - Apple


The most important thing to remember is that your battery is a consumable. No matter what you do, it will age, wear out and need to be replaced. Beyond not leaving the phone somewhere very hot (e.g. a car in the summer) or draining the battery to zero and then leaving it that way for weeks or months, there's not much you can do that will make a big difference in how fast the battery dies. You also have limited lifespan. How much of it do you want to waste worrying about something you can't change?

Nov 17, 2022 12:53 PM in response to Community User

  1. iPhone's cannot be overcharged. They control the charging and stop charring when required.
  2. This is wrong. the micro charges will delay battery aging. a complete cycle will still complete eventually, but charging in small bursts, means it takes longer to complete a cycle.

Let the iPhone manage its own battery. It's designed for that, and very good at it.


Nov 17, 2022 11:46 AM in response to Ferd II

Thanks for the answer and topic shared; Apple techs confirm too?


However I have to attention you two aspects.

1) When reach 80% then the battery is "overcharged" at 80% threshold since start the charge at 100%?

2) As visibile in the battery graphic of your topic, between 4 am and 6 am there is a little discharge, probably cause updates or iOS tasks. Then there is a recharge. I read this behaviour creates "micro charge/discharge cycles" that, cumulative every night, lead to accelerated aging reducing the number of cycles useful; do you agree? It would be very useful Apple inform us about.

Nov 17, 2022 4:47 PM in response to Community User

Virtually every consumer product using lithium batteries cannot be over charged. There is a world wide industry standard for S.M.A.R.T. lithium battery technology where the battery itself has electronics that regulate its own charging and will not allow over charging.


Lithium battery technology has been like this for decades now. The idea that almost any lithium battery consumer electronic device can be over charged persists in society, but it is a myth carried over from older technologies like NiMH.

Nov 18, 2022 6:33 AM in response to Community User

There is an amazing amount of nonsense about battery management on the Internet. If you look long enough you can find totally contradictory information. What I posted in my user time is the best available information from engineers who know what they are doing. I follow my own advice, and my 4 year old iPhone XR still has 94% of its capacity.

Nov 18, 2022 10:29 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

For my typical usage scenario I charge my iPhone every 3/4 days. Until I have knowledge of micro-cycles I let my iPhone power on plugged in to AC overnight, but now I'm worried about them on battery health and aging. Especially because no documents or statements directly from Apple.

Nov 19, 2022 5:06 AM in response to Phil0124

This is wrong. the micro charges will delay battery aging. a complete cycle will still complete eventually, but charging in small bursts, means it takes longer to complete a cycle.

This is your pov or there are studies demonstrating it approved by Apple?

I mean micro charge/discharge (<1-2%) occuring overnight when iPhone is power on and plugged in to AC.

Nov 19, 2022 5:24 AM in response to Community User

"....Many tests and studies, if they correct, suggest to not discharge below 40% and let battery charging only the time necessary to reach 100% and then plugging it off, not overnight...."


Not true, as we are all saying,. You probably read thst in non-Apple web opinion.

You have quite a few years of experience helping you here and Lawrence's user tip is considered the definitive text we work to, and the link given by IdrisSeabright us the "Apple tech's" opinion.


Nov 19, 2022 10:32 AM in response to LD150

I'm new into Apple ecosystem.


I thought the Apple community was more constructive and patient


Lawrence's topic, as definitive text to follow, say nothing about micro cycles. But ok definetly.


[Edited by Moderator]

Nov 19, 2022 6:06 PM in response to Community User

The thing is, by focusing on micro-cycles and micro-managing your lithium battery powered device’s charging, you’re focusing all your energy and effort on something that at best will gain you a truly trivial gain in overall useful battery life span.


The battery is going to need replacing after about 500 or so full discharge/charge cycles. You can pull your hair out every day monitoring the charging of the battery to gain another couple or few useable cycles, or just stop fixating on it and enjoy your device and life.


Plug the thing in when it is convenient to do so, for however long it is convenient to do so. Overnight works fine, and your iCloud backup gets updated. Avoid draining it so much that it shuts down automatically since those deep discharges will erode useable life span faster than if they were avoided. And that’s about it. It is a consumable part of any battery powered device and nothing you do can avoid that basic fact.

Recommend correct way to charge battery

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