Are you the type of person who charges an iPhone for eight hours nonstop? Or are you the kind of person who connects their phone to an outlet whenever they feel like it? Whether you’re Person A, Person B, or a mix of both, there are times where we second guess ourselves about the way we charge our iPhones.
Now, if you’re worrying if you’ve been charging your iPhone incorrectly, don’t worry! This article will go through everything there is to know about charging iPhones. As well as provide top-notch knowledge for all your iPhone charging needs, whether it be for new devices or old ones.
Before we get started, are you planning to decorate your iPhone? With these helpful and stylish accessories, you can improve your phone’s functionality at a reasonable price. Check the latest prices for the best iPhone accessories on Amazon below.
How Long Should You Charge an iPhone?
According to Apple, you can charge your iPhone lithium batteries for as long as you want. Overnight full charge is the best as lithium batteries should never be below 20% charge. These batteries stop charging at 100% with iOS 13. Better-optimized battery charging stops charging at 80% to reach 100% just in time to meet your normal battery usage reducing strain on the battery.
You can charge your iPhone for as long as you want, at the most convenient time for you. There is no specific length of time you should charge your iPhone.
You could charge it for four hours until your phone is fully charged, or you could leave it charging for eight hours even without reaching 100%. It depends on how you use your iPhone.
Besides charging your phone based on preference, it is considered best practice to charge your iPhone overnight. The phone senses when the battery is set at 100% and automatically stops charging, making it impossible to overcharge your iPhone. This way allows you to start your morning with a fully charged phone for your everyday needs.
Avoid having your iPhone below 20% battery as lithium batteries can and will die if left at 0% for a few hours. Of course, you can’t overcharge an iPhone, but certainly, you can undercharge one.
If you’re curious about what charger cable you are supposed to use for charging, read my article on What Cables You Cannot Use to Charge.
You can configure your Apple device with iOS 13 and up to use Optimized Battery Charging to improve battery health.
The feature forces your phone to stop charging at 80% overnight and resume charging until it reaches 100%, depending on your regular usage pattern. In addition, optimized charging reduces how long your iPhone charges, keeping it healthy via maintaining its power using the charger rather than its own battery life.
To apply Optimized Battery Charging, follow these steps:
- Click the “Settings” application.
- Choose the “Battery” option from the list.
- Pick “Battery Health.”
- Select the toggle button beside “Optimized Battery Charging.”
But if you feel as if your charger cable is not charging your phone like it used to, check out this reasonably priced three-pack iPhone charger cable on Amazon.
Should I Charge My iPhone for 8 Hours?
You can charge your iPhone for 8 hours or as long you want. However, iPhones take around 3-4 hours to charge to full. iPhone lithium batteries cannot overcharge as they cannot charge past 100%.
According to Apple, it does not matter how long or how short you charge your iPhone. You can charge your phone for as long as eight hours or as short as four hours. Your choice of charging style will not destroy your battery life. The iPhone is smart enough to detect whether the battery is full and prevent it from charging the phone further.
You shouldn’t overthink the amount of time you have to charge your iPhone. Most iPhones can fully charge their battery within two to four hours upon plugging it into the port. However, the best strategy is to charge your phone overnight to maximize its use in the morning.
For any reason you may have dropped your iPhone, please read this follow-up article about dropping your iPhone and does if it causes internal damage.
Should I Charge My New iPhone Before Using It?
In total new iPhones are 50% charged out of the box, so it is best to charge your iPhone before using it. However, there is no need to plug it in before starting to use it.
It is recommended to charge a brand-new phone for at least three hours before using it.
To properly charge your iPhone for the first time and to manage its battery, Keysterm suggests the following steps:
- Upon receiving your brand-new iPhone, connect it to the USB cable and USB power adaptor. Charge the phone for at least three hours. Do NOT attach the cable to your computer’s USB port.
- Once charged to 100%, you are free to use the device until the battery is drained. When the battery is low, the device must be shut down and kept off for around two hours.
- After waiting for two hours, charge your iPhone again until it fills up to 100%.
- Let the device rest for a while before you start using it again.
Additionally, it would help if you learned to manage your iPhone’s battery correctly to prevent it from quickly decaying.
Check out these tips to lengthen your battery life:
- Always charge your iPhone at night. This activity keeps your battery active when you’re not using it.
- If you leave your iPhone in one place without touching it for hours or a day, make sure it is stored in a dry place. Keep the battery charged at more than 50%
- Do not charge your phone with the iPhone case. This tip is a recommendation and not a necessity, as the case will make the back area of your phone hot while charging.
- Keep the phone in a cool area as well.
Ever wondered when you should replace your iPhone? What are the tell-tale signs that an iPhone needs to be replaced? I suggest you read my dedicated article to know for sure.
How Long Should I Charge My iPhone 12 for the First Time?
Apple recommends charging a new iPhone 12 for as long as it takes to reach 100%, which is around 2-3 hours since new iPhones arrive at 50% out of the box.
Apple phones use lithium-ion batteries. It is quick for the device to hit 80% using fast charging, then it takes some time to reach full battery. With this in mind, it would take around two to four hours to go to 100%.
As an owner of an iPhone, you should learn how to keep your battery strong. Here are some helpful tips from Bananas Store to assist brand new iPhone 12 holders.
Enable Low Power Mode
Using Low Power Mode decreases the power requirement and increases battery life for at least three hours.
To enable Low Power Mode, follow these instructions:
- Head to “Settings.”
- Click the “Battery” option.
- Tap the option beside “Low Power Mode.”
Set Auto-Lock On
With auto-lock-off, you will be consuming more battery than needed. This is because keeping your screen on absorbs energy. Also, notifications will cause your screen to remain on for a while if you have auto-lock off.
To enable Auto-Lock:
- Head to “Settings.”
- Select Display & Brightness.
- Press Auto-Lock.
- Choose the lowest option, which is 30 seconds.
Prevent Your Screen From Overheating
Leaving your phone case on while charging, placing your iPhone 12 in a hot place, and using worn-out cable wires affect the battery life. If you do, these activities cause your phone to overheat and ruin the longevity of your iPhone.
To prevent these from happening: remove your phone case as you charge, place your iPhone 12 in a cool area, and change cable wires every three months or so.
I suggest looking at thermal phone cases to keep your phone cool. The Apollo Series Thermal Phone Cases is a great insulated phone pouch that allows optimal operating temperatures. Grab it for a bargain now on Amazon.
How Long Should I Charge My New iPhone 11 for the First Time?
Apple recommends charging a new iPhone 11 for as long as it takes to reach 100%, which is around 2-3 hours since new iPhones arrive 50% out of the box.
It is recommended to charge your brand new phone for at least three hours until 100%, use the phone until it is drained, charge the phone until full battery, and turn it off for a few hours. It will keep the battery in check for future uses.
One big mistake new users make is continuously charging their phone to 100% and depleting it to 0% before charging the phone. It destroys the battery, and it would cause you to buy a replacement in the long run.
It would be better to charge your phone several times a day and ensure the percentage does not reach below 20%. Another rule is to charge your phone overnight as the phone automatically stops charging once it’s at 100%.
And if for any reason you’ve been wondering about showers and iPhones, check out my article about showering with iPhones and if the task is possible.