Least damaging way to charge IPhone

Which of these options is least damaging to the battery?


1 - Using a genuine apple cable to charge my iPhone 15 at 24w through the usb-pd port of my computer.


2 - Using a generic off brand usb-c to usb-a charging cable, charging from a 5w apple brick.


I read that charging slower is better for the battery, but using an off brand charging cable could damage the phone. What is the ideal way to charge a iPhone to maximise its battery lifespan? Thanks.

iPhone 15, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 4, 2024 3:40 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 4, 2024 5:40 PM

Other than NOT using off-brand power sources or cables, there is no better way; all ways are about equal. Apple’s recommended way is with a 20 watt or higher USB-C/PD power source and quality USB-C cable; Apple, Anker, Griffin, Mophie, etc all are about equal.


The absolute best way to get maximum use on a charge, as well as slow the decline of battery capacity long term is to enable Optimized Battery Charging (Settings/Battery/Battery Health) and charge the device overnight, every night. The battery will fast charge to 80%, then pause. During the nighttime pause the phone will use mains power instead of battery power, allowing the battery to “rest”, and thus reducing the need to charge the battery quite as often. The phone will resume charging to reach 100% when you are ready to use your phone; it will “learn” your usage pattern. If you enable iCloud Backup (Settings/[your name]/iCloud - iCloud Backup) the phone will back up overnight also, assuring that you can never lose more than the current day’s updates. Here's more information→About Optimized Battery Charging on your iPhone - Apple Support


For the long answer→When to charge your iPhone or iPad | Communities


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 4, 2024 5:40 PM in response to John_vidal

Other than NOT using off-brand power sources or cables, there is no better way; all ways are about equal. Apple’s recommended way is with a 20 watt or higher USB-C/PD power source and quality USB-C cable; Apple, Anker, Griffin, Mophie, etc all are about equal.


The absolute best way to get maximum use on a charge, as well as slow the decline of battery capacity long term is to enable Optimized Battery Charging (Settings/Battery/Battery Health) and charge the device overnight, every night. The battery will fast charge to 80%, then pause. During the nighttime pause the phone will use mains power instead of battery power, allowing the battery to “rest”, and thus reducing the need to charge the battery quite as often. The phone will resume charging to reach 100% when you are ready to use your phone; it will “learn” your usage pattern. If you enable iCloud Backup (Settings/[your name]/iCloud - iCloud Backup) the phone will back up overnight also, assuring that you can never lose more than the current day’s updates. Here's more information→About Optimized Battery Charging on your iPhone - Apple Support


For the long answer→When to charge your iPhone or iPad | Communities


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Least damaging way to charge IPhone

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