Charge to 100% once or 80% twice… what’s better for battery life?

General
1

I just got an iPhone 16 and I’m trying to figure out the best way to keep the battery healthy.

I use my phone’s hotspot a lot during the day, so the battery drains quickly. I’ve always charged my Android phones overnight, leaving them plugged in until morning. Since this is my first iPhone, I’m wondering if I should stick to that or change my charging habits.

Should I let it charge fully overnight and then plug it in again when it drops below 20% at night? Or is it better to set a limit to 80% and charge it twice a day? What’s the best approach?

2

I usually charge mine to 90% and just plug it in whenever it needs it. No need to overthink it. The difference isn’t that big in the long run.

3

Hollis said:
I usually charge mine to 90% and just plug it in whenever it needs it. No need to overthink it. The difference isn’t that big in the long run.

Same here.

4

Hollis said:
I usually charge mine to 90% and just plug it in whenever it needs it. No need to overthink it. The difference isn’t that big in the long run.

Same. I don’t use my phone all the time, so I just charge it with a slow charger.

5

@Cameron
I almost never charge overnight, but when I do, I use a 5W charger.

6

Hollis said:
@Cameron
I almost never charge overnight, but when I do, I use a 5W charger.

I charge mine on a MagSafe charger, along with my Apple Watch. Just had my watch battery replaced for £29 here in the UK—such a good deal.

7

@Ren
I use a MagSafe pop socket, so I can’t charge with MagSafe unless I take it off every night. I just stick to a 5W charger. Most of the time, I charge in my car while using CarPlay, so my phone stays topped up.

I’ve been thinking about switching to a MagSafe car mount. If I do, I might get a MagSafe charger too.

8

@Hollis
I just use a simple ring mount in my car. If I need to charge, I just plug it in. I don’t use my phone while driving since I have a tablet for maps.

9

I just charge mine whenever it’s below 75% and I’m not using it. If I’m using it, I wait until the battery warning comes on.

Honestly, I don’t stress about it. By the time the battery starts to wear out, I’ll probably be getting a new phone anyway. Just enjoy your phone.

10

Can your phone even last all day as a hotspot if you only charge it once?

11

I only charge mine every two days. The battery lasts that long for me.

12

Bly said:
I only charge mine every two days. The battery lasts that long for me.

How do you manage that? Do you stream videos or play music?

13

RickChulo said:

Bly said:
I only charge mine every two days. The battery lasts that long for me.

How do you manage that? Do you stream videos or play music?

Yeah, but not all the time. I don’t use my phone for everything.

14

@Bly
Do you have the regular 16 or the Pro?

15

RickChulo said:
@Bly
Do you have the regular 16 or the Pro?

Pro.

16

Bly said:

RickChulo said:
@Bly
Do you have the regular 16 or the Pro?

Pro.

Ah, that probably makes a difference.

17

Just use your phone however you want. If the battery wears out, you can replace it for about $100 after two years. No need to stress about it.

18

I have AppleCare, so I just charge it whenever I need to.

19

Cleo said:
I have AppleCare, so I just charge it whenever I need to.

A battery replacement costs way less than AppleCare. I had AppleCare for three years and never used it. Ended up spending as much as a new phone.

20

@Ren
It’s not just about the battery. If my phone dies, breaks, or gets stolen, I don’t have to go to some shady third-party repair shop or deal with fake Amazon parts. I just go to Apple, pay the deductible, and get a new phone. In the long run, AppleCare pays for itself.