As we dive into the busy fall season, ensuring your iPhone charges quickly is essential. Whether you’re adjusting to the new updates in iOS or trying to make the most of your older device, a sluggish charge can feel like a weight on your schedule.
The days of sprinting out with a mere 5% battery shouldn’t be your reality. If you’re tired of being tethered to an outlet, implementing a few simple strategies can significantly boost your charging speed—no new cables or gadgets needed.
1. Juice Up With the Right Charger
The fastest way to charge your iPhone is by using a fast charger—specifically, a 20-watt power adapter paired with a USB-C to Lightning or USB-C to USB-C cable for the newest iPhone models. If you own an iPhone 8 or later, you can power up to about 50% in just 30 minutes. With an hour, you can achieve a full charge. Even a quick 10 minutes can yield a decent battery percentage, so prioritize fast charging whenever possible.
Although Apple has stopped including power adapters with new devices, these can easily be purchased from Apple or Amazon. Just remember, you’ll need a minimum of a 20-watt charger to fast-charge an iPhone 12 or newer.
2. Embrace Wireless Charging Speed
For wireless enthusiasts, Apple’s MagSafe charger combined with a 20-watt adapter offers impressive speeds. If you have an iPhone 12 or newer, you’ll enjoy fast wireless charging at 15 watts. This means you can reach approximately 30% battery in about 30 minutes.
Be cautious though; not all wireless chargers support fast charging. While Qi chargers are popular, they only deliver up to 7.5 watts, far slower than the MagSafe’s potential. If you’re using a non-certified magnetic charger, you might only see the slower rate.
3. Skip Computer Charging
Your laptop might appear to be a straightforward charging alternative, especially while multitasking, but it’s not efficient. Whether through USB-A or USB-C, your computer’s USB ports typically output less power than any wall outlet, significantly slowing the charging process.
4. Limit iPhone Use During Charging
To accelerate charging, minimize interactions with your iPhone while it’s plugged in. Engaging in activities like streaming or gaming will hinder power accumulation and prolong the time before it’s ready to go.
5. Use an Easy Charging Trick
Even if your display is off, your iPhone continues to operate in the background. To maximize charging speed, switch it off completely. Remember to connect it to a charger first, as plugging it in can sometimes turn the device back on.
6. Activate Airplane Mode
If powering down isn’t feasible, consider enabling airplane mode. This feature disables cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, all of which eat up battery life. With these functions turned off, your iPhone can charge noticeably quicker, letting you return to connectivity without major interruptions.
7. Adjust Your Settings for Maximum Charge
Settings that extend battery life can also facilitate faster charging, especially if you choose not to turn off your device. Here are a few settings to consider:
- Low Power Mode: Activating this mode helps cut power usage by limiting features such as 5G and background app refresh.
- Dark Mode: While its impact is debatable, switching it on during charging might help conserve a bit of battery life.
- Screen Brightness: Dimming your display can significantly reduce energy consumption, allowing for quicker charging.
8. Check On Optimized Battery Charging
This Apple feature, designed to maintain battery longevity, can actually slow down the charging process. Typically more noticeable during long charging sessions, you might want to disable it temporarily while rapid charging. Head to Settings > Battery > Battery Health to toggle off Optimized Battery Charging.
9. Assess Your Battery’s Condition
If you notice any warnings about your battery’s health, it might be time for a replacement. A failing battery not only charges slowly but also drains quicker. You can evaluate potential replacement options on Apple’s iPhone Battery Service page, where costs vary based on your model; for the iPhone 15 series, expect an estimate around $99.
Improving your iPhone charging experience is just a matter of applying these tips, ensuring your device keeps pace with your busy lifestyle.