Are you wondering why your phone battery doesn’t last as long as it used to? If you pay attention, you may notice that the battery drains faster than normal when you don’t use your phone. This is frustrating, especially if you’re trying to get through the day with one charge!
The good news is there are simple ways to take better care of your phone and extend its life. Here are some mistakes you could make when charging your phone, which could shorten your smartphone’s battery life.
You’re Leaving Your Smartphone Plugged in at Night
You’ve heard of people who leave their phones plugged in at night. This is a bad idea. If you charge your phone overnight, your battery can overheat and become permanently damaged.
When your phone is plugged in and charging, it draws power from the outlet, which converts it into electricity to charge the battery. This process generates heat, and if your phone is in a case or on a soft surface like a bed or pillow, that heat can’t escape. This can cause your phone to overheat and potentially damage the battery.
Another reason not to leave your smartphone plugged in at night is that it can shorten the battery life. When you charge your phone overnight, you’re giving it a full charge, and that’s not necessary. A partial charge is all you need to keep the battery healthy, and charging it to 100% all the time can shorten its lifespan. So, to keep your phone healthy and avoid damaging the battery, don’t leave it in the charger while you sleep.
You Charge Your Phone in Extreme Temperatures
It’s tempting to charge your phone on a hot summer day, but you may be doing more harm than good.
If you live in a place where the temperature regularly gets up into the 90s (Fahrenheit) or higher, invest in an air conditioning unit to keep your phone safe. If this isn’t possible, at least don’t leave it lying around in the sun for long periods during the day. Likewise, don’t leave it on top of a car seat while you do other things.
On the flip side are cold temperatures. Even though they might seem like they might give your battery some extra juice, extreme cold drains batteries faster than normal temperatures. So, while charging up before heading out in winter may seem like a good idea, think again if that means leaving your phone outside for hours. If you must take your phone with you, keep it in an inner pocket where your body heat will stop it from getting too cold.
You Don’t Use the Charger That Comes with Your Phone
You might think charging your phone with a laptop or TV USB port will charge it faster, but it won’t. The charger that came with your phone is designed to work best with your phone, and using anything else can damage the battery. If your battery is damaged, you may have trouble getting a charge or keeping an already charged battery powered up. This is bad news because you know what happens when our phones run out of juice!
If you have an Apple iPhone, you need to use the charger that came with it and not another USB cable or adapter. You may think this won’t matter, but it does. Using the wrong charger can damage your battery and lead to it being unable to hold a charge for as long. Additionally, if you are using a lower quality or damaged charging cable, this can also damage your phone.
You’re Charging Your Smartphone Too Often
Your phone battery has a lifespan, like any other piece of technology. The more you charge it, the shorter its life will be. But there’s more. The higher you charge your phone’s battery, the faster it will die on you. So, if you’re going out for a long day and need to juice up your phone to 80%, go ahead and do so; but if it’s a short trip and all you need is an extra 10% of power? Don’t bother charging until you get back.
You Use Your Phone While You Charge It
It is not advisable to use your phone while charging it, as this can impact the charging process and potentially damage your phone. When you use your phone during a recharge, you’re using the battery and charging it simultaneously. This can strain the battery and shorten its lifespan. In short, it is best to avoid using your phone while it is charging to keep your phone in good condition.
Conclusion
As you can see, it’s easy to make mistakes when you charge your phone. But if you know the right things to do and avoid doing the wrong ones, you can ensure your battery will last a long time and help you stay connected. So next time you need to charge up, consider these tips and charge smartly.
