Smartphones play a vital role in daily life, serving various purposes, including capturing favorite memories and staying connected with loved ones. However, despite their indispensability, the battery health of a smartphone is something most users often overlook. Many individuals unintentionally make certain mistakes while charging smartphones that can compromise battery longevity. Continue reading to find out a few common charging mistakes and ways to avoid them to optimize the battery life of one’s smartphone.

1. Leaving the charger plugged in- A charger in a plug point constantly draws electricity, even when a phone is disconnected. It can cause a significant rise in one’s electricity bill. It may also increase the risk of a fire or short circuit. When not in use, it is always safer to remove the charger from the socket.
2. Charging the phone overnight- Plugging the phone in to charge overnight causes excessive energy waste. It may also cause the phone to overheat, damaging the battery.
3. Using the phone while charging- Using the phone while it is charging could overstress the battery. It could impact battery life and lead to non-reversible damage. If handling the phone at this time is important, unplug the phone from the socket before use. Once done, reconnect the phone to the charger and let it continue charging undisturbed.
4. Always charging the battery to 100%- Every phone has a limited number of battery cycles. Letting the smartphone battery charge to 100% every time could end these cycles sooner, affecting its lifespan. As a rule of thumb, recharge the phone’s battery to 100% once a month. At other times, ensure the battery remains between 20-80%.
5. Leaving the phone case on while charging- Overheating is a major cause of concern for every phone’s battery life. Charging one’s phone with the case on could increase the risk of overheating, causing battery damage. To avoid this, remove the phone case before connecting the phone to a charger.
6. Charging the phone in extreme temperatures- Extreme temperatures may also increase the risk of battery damage. In cases of temperatures above 90 °F, it is advisable to avoid charging the phone in direct sunlight. Additionally, do not leave the phone lying around in the heat (for instance, on a beach towel or a car seat). It can cause the phone to overheat and reduce its battery life. Similarly, extremely cold temperatures may cause the phone’s battery to drain quicker than usual. During such instances, it is advised to store the phone in one’s inner pockets so that it uses the body heat to avoid freezing.
7. Using cheap or generic chargers- Today, one can buy several cheap or generic chargers if something happens to the original one. However, these chargers may transfer too much or too little energy, affecting battery life. To avoid ruining the phone’s battery, consider investing in a charger compatible with one’s current phone model.
8. Using unknown battery management apps- One can download several free battery apps to manage their phone’s battery performance. However, it is important to check their source before using them. Apps developed by unknown sources may drain the phone’s battery and cause significant long-term damage.
9. Charging the phone from the laptop frequently- Laptops are commonly used to charge phones. However, they do not activate the fast charging option, which takes much longer than a regular socket.