Do you charge your iphone "special" to protect battery lifespan?

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Do you charge your iphone "special" to protect battery lifespan?

Batman

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#217929 18-Jul-2017 22:33

Hi I know most people throw away their iphones as soon as a new health fad appears on the internet -

But there may be one of two out there that do special things to charge their phones to extend its lifespan ... could those please explain how?

ie charging with high amp charger (ipad charger) would decrease battery life?

charging at 80% every night and leaving it overnight would decrease battery life?

best to charge from 50-80%? but how to achieve that?

if you don't bother yes I understand ... but looking for those true geeks out there :)

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#1824850 18-Jul-2017 22:53

If you're trying to extend it's life, I'd suggest not letting it go below 20% and only charging to 80%, if that's enough to get through your day.

The only thing that Li-ion batteries really hate is sitting on charge at 100% all the time.

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#1824868 19-Jul-2017 01:38

1eStar: If you're trying to extend it's life, I'd suggest not letting it go below 20% and only charging to 80%, if that's enough to get through your day.

The only thing that Li-ion batteries really hate is sitting on charge at 100% all the time.

How do i tell it to stop charging at 80%? (when i'm sleeping)

RunningMan

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#1824936 19-Jul-2017 07:42

You can't. You have to wake up!

tdgeek

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#1824941 19-Jul-2017 08:07

I read that it makes no difference. It has x cycles in its life, whether thats all full charges or double half charges.

A higher amp charge makes no difference as the phone decides what amps to draw, so on a 2.1A iPad charger it will still only charge at 500mA

As to keeping it on 100% a lot, i.e. sitting on a charger when already charged, I'm not sure, so I'd believe @1eStar

If you drained it fully (not recommended as a habit), I think that corrects any battery miscalibration

tehgerbil

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#1824945 19-Jul-2017 08:15

This is a rather large read, but it will give you all the answers you want from the Battery University.

the takeaway I found was:

* Don't allow discharge to less than 20% unless you can help it.

* Keep the battery as cool as possible. (High amp charge rates increase battery heat, which tends to be the life-limiting factor)

* Think of it like this. A battery can last(very generalised..)

* 100x 0% -> 100% charges.

* 500X 50% -> 100% charges

* 1000X 75% -> 100% charges.

1eStar

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#1824952 19-Jul-2017 08:21

Maybe a timer that is programmed to turn your charger on for an hour or so?

Dairyxox

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#1824956 19-Jul-2017 08:24

The main thing I can think of that would make a difference is don't (for any modern phone, not iphone specifically) let the phone get too hot.I.E

Don't leave it on your car dashboard.

Don't leave it laying in the sun during summer for extended periods (at the beach or on the deck table).

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Batman

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#1824975 19-Jul-2017 09:16

Thanks keep it coming geeks!

scuwp

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#1825025 19-Jul-2017 10:58

I have always used the perhaps out of date theory that a battery needs to be 'exercised' and frequently run down to flat and then charge up to 100%. Probably just a remnant of the ole Ni-Cad days. I try not to keep devices on charge for long periods at 100% but sometimes practicality trumps that idea.

At the end of the day the device needs to be available for my use when I need it so I will charge it when I need to and leave it when I don't. Typically that means charge it overnight so it's ready to go the next day. I don't really give it much more thought than that and while they obviously get 'tired' it still works enough for my use 2-3 years later. The cost of a new battery after a couple or 3 years later is inconsequential IMO and not worth overly fussing about.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

cadman

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#1825028 19-Jul-2017 11:07

I use the Accubattery app to alert me to disconnect it from the charger when my Android phone is charged to 90%.

cadman

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#1825030 19-Jul-2017 11:09

scuwp:

I have always used the perhaps out of date theory that a battery needs to be 'exercised' and frequently run down to flat and then charge up to 100%. Probably just a remnant of the ole Ni-Cad days.

Pretty much just a remnant. Ni-Cads have memory - they don't like partial discharge and recharge cycles. Lithium don't like to be fully charged or deep discharged - they prefer a medium state of charge cycling for longevity.

kobiak

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#1825053 19-Jul-2017 11:43

if I start worry about battery cycles, I end up never replacing my phones :(

my loved nexus 5 goes strong for past 3 years, I don't care about covers, it's always in the pocket with keys, send, etc.

screen as new, plastic is not :) battery holds for over a day.

I want a new phone but just can't justify it as my current works well :(

helping others at evgenyk.nz

dfnt

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#1825062 19-Jul-2017 11:56

I charge my iPhone 6S+ randomly at whatever % it might be at, the battery is still the same as the day I bought it in 2015

Batman

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#1825116 19-Jul-2017 12:46

All my phones have had their battery life go kaput after 2 years :(

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#1825123 19-Jul-2017 12:54

I don't pay any special attention to mine, in fact it usually sits on 100% all day as it's plugged in to my Mac. Health is still in the 90% range according to battery apps.

I'm sure Apple have implemented some smart hardware/software tech to manage the charging.

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