The durability and efficiency of our devices' batteries are paramount. Often, batteries are seen as something that requires very careful attention. However, with today's technological advancements, the care needed to keep them in optimal condition is simpler than it seems. Let's see 7 ways we can take care of the batteries in our iPhone, iPad, or Mac and maximize their lifespan.
What exactly is a battery
A battery is an element that stores electrical charge. Inside a battery, we find chemical elements capable of retaining the electricity we flow into it when we charge the phone, and then slowly releasing it as the components require electricity to function.
It's important to understand that a battery is a consumable good, an element that wears out over time. In its normal use, the use for which it is designed, it will degrade and lose capabilities. It's normal for a phone that is 3 years old to have a shorter battery life than a new phone. This doesn't mean we've done anything wrong; it's totally inevitable. Even if we had left it in its box unused for these 3 years, the effect would be the same —likely much worse, in fact.
Slow charging and software updates
Apple's lithium-ion battery charges quickly up to 80% and then switches to a slower charging mode. We may be in a hurry to charge the battery, but for the battery, the slower it charges, the better. This way, it can last more hours and also wear less during charging.
In this regard, the best care we can give to the battery is to use a slow charger. Thus, although it takes much longer to have our iPhone, iPad, or Mac fully charged, we will extend its lifespan as much as possible.
Software updates are also important in this matter, as they often include improvements in battery management and optimizations to reduce consumption and be more efficient.
Be very careful with heat
Another point is to avoid extreme temperatures. The devices are designed to work well in a wide range of temperatures, but the ideal is between 16 and 22 °C (61 and 72 °F). The acceptable temperature for using our iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch is between 0 and 35 °C (32 and 95 °F). The storage temperature is between -20 and 45 °C (-4 and 113 °F). Meanwhile, the acceptable temperature for using our Mac is between 10 and 35 °C (50 and 95 °F), and the storage temperature is between -20 and 45 °C (-4 and 113 °F).
If the device is in an environment colder than it should be, the battery capacity decreases, but only temporarily; there are no irreversible damages. If the device is in an environment hotter than recommended, the damages are permanent and serious. This is because the natural reactions that convert the battery's chemical energy into electricity are altered by heat, creating chemical residues that disrupt the normal functioning of the battery.
In this regard, we should never leave a device in the sun. And even more importantly, never leave devices inside a car in the sun during summer. Never, ever, ever!
Continuing with heat, in this case, when charging the device, it's important to note that certain cases can generate excess temperature that affects the battery's capacity. If we notice that our device gets very hot when charging, remove the case.
Storage requires some attention
If we need to store our device for a long time, battery care will depend on two factors: ambient temperature and the battery's charge percentage when turning it off. Therefore, the following steps are recommended:
- The device should never be completely discharged or fully charged. Store it with about a 50% charge. If we store it with the battery completely depleted, it could enter a state of deep discharge, making it impossible to recharge. And if stored fully charged for a long time, the battery loses capacity.
- Turn off the device so that the battery does not continue to drain.
- Store it in a cool, dry place at a temperature below 32° C (90° F).
If the storage time is very long, charge our device to half every six months. It's possible that when turning the device back on, the battery will be very low. We may need to charge it for at least 20 minutes before using it again.
Calibration, Optimized charging, and being careful with accessories
We can charge our devices' batteries whenever we want; it's not necessary to wait until they are depleted. The wear will be the same. However, there are two advantages to letting the batteries fully discharge at least once a month.
The first advantage is that by being completely empty, when we then fill it up to 100%, the system can recalibrate the charge capacity it has and be more efficient in its management. The second is that renewing the entire charge from time to time is good for the battery chemicals; otherwise, they "get used" to a state of "always charged" which is not beneficial.
In Settings > General > Battery > Battery Health and charging within Optimized charging, we can activate Optimized charging . By doing so, our iPhone or iPad will learn from our charging habits to prevent the battery from being at 100% for too long.
Finally, it's important to know that the chargers and cables that come with our devices are specially designed for their purpose. Sometimes, when we need to buy a new charging cable or adapter, we might wonder: Why are some much cheaper than the originals?
The answer is simple: because the originals contain internal current control technology and device protection measures that increase the cost and, of course, the quality. So our battery will appreciate this certified charges.
By properly caring for our devices' batteries, we prolong their lifespan and ensure optimal performance over time. Following these 7 tips, we can ensure that our devices operate efficiently and safely, thus extending their usage period. With small actions and attention to detail, we can make a significant difference in the health and longevity of our batteries.
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