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The Biggest Charging Mistake: Why 90% of People Are Doing It Wrong and Killing Their Battery Health

11 September, 2024

Your phone is an essential device in your daily life, and proper charging practices are key to keeping it in good condition. Here are eight golden rules to follow when charging your phone to ensure your battery stays healthy and lasts longer:

Rule 1: Avoid charging your phone to 100%

It may sound counterintuitive, but it’s best to avoid fully charging Lithium-ion batteries, which are found in most modern phones. Each full charge is considered a cycle, and by consistently charging to 100%, you accelerate the arrival of these cycles, reducing your battery’s lifespan. Instead, unplug your phone as soon as it reaches 100% to avoid overcharging.

Rule 2: Frequent short charges are better than full charges

Contrary to popular belief, it’s better to charge your phone frequently for short periods than to wait for it to drain and then charge it fully. Lithium-ion batteries perform better when charged more frequently, so plug in whenever you have a chance, rather than waiting for a full discharge.

Rule 3: Enable Airplane Mode while charging for faster, more stable charging

Airplane Mode disables unnecessary features, connections, and applications, allowing your phone to devote all its energy to charging. This results in faster charging and reduces the risk of your phone overheating.

Rule 4: Always use an official charger for the best results

It’s important to use an official, certified charger that meets quality standards. Using a subpar charger can damage your battery and may even pose a safety hazard.

Rule 5: Don’t use your phone while it’s charging

Using your phone while it’s plugged in can have a significant impact on the battery’s lifespan and may also affect the hardware. It’s best to avoid this practice to keep your phone in good condition and avoid the risk of overheating or, in rare cases, explosion.

Rule 6: Avoid overnight charging

While it’s convenient to wake up to a fully charged phone, overnight charging can be detrimental to your battery’s health. Overcharging and prolonged charging can reduce your battery’s lifespan and may also cause your phone to overheat, posing a safety risk.

Overcharging Can Lead to Overheating and Potential Safety Hazards

Rule 7: Charge your phone in a cool, well-ventilated area

During charging, the charger and battery produce heat. Avoid placing your phone on fabric surfaces or in hot environments. Instead, charge it in a cool, open space to allow for proper ventilation and heat dissipation, ensuring the longevity of your device and efficient charging.

Rule 8: Remember the golden percentage range for your phone’s battery

– Keep your battery level between 30% and 90% as much as possible.

– Recharge when your battery drops below 50%.

– Unplug your charger as soon as it reaches 100%.

Frequently asked questions

The article highlights that the biggest mistake people make is charging their devices overnight, or leaving them plugged in once they’re fully charged. This practice can lead to something called ‘overcharging’, which damages the battery and reduces its lifespan.

Overcharging generates excessive heat, and high temperatures are a lithium-ion battery’s worst enemy. This causes the battery to degrade faster and reduces its overall lifespan. It can also lead to a phenomenon called ‘thermal runaway’, which is a safety hazard.

The best practice is to charge your device in short bursts when you can. Avoid leaving it plugged in overnight or for extended periods when it’s already fully charged. Also, try to keep your device cool when charging, as this helps to mitigate the heat issue.

Yes, a few other recommendations include avoiding letting your device’s battery drop below 20%, as this puts additional strain on the battery. Also, try to avoid using cheap, unbranded chargers, as these can be unsafe and damage your battery. Lastly, if you’re not using your device for extended periods, store it with a medium charge level, around 50%.