If you’ve ever encountered the frustrating situation of your iPhone not charging beyond 80%, you’re not alone. This issue has puzzled many iPhone users and left them wondering why their device won’t charge to full capacity.
In this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind this phenomenon and provide some insights into how you can address it.
1. Battery Optimization: Maximizing Lifespan
One of the main reasons your iPhone may not charge above 80% is battery optimization. Apple has implemented a feature called “Optimized Battery Charging” to extend the lifespan of your iPhone’s battery.
This feature learns your daily charging patterns and slows down the charging process when your device reaches 80%. By doing so, it reduces the wear and tear on the battery and prolongs its overall lifespan.
2. Battery Health Management: Prioritizing Longevity
Another factor contributing to your iPhone’s charging limitation is the “Battery Health Management” feature. This feature, introduced in iOS 13.0, aims to prevent the battery from degrading quickly.
It monitors the battery’s health and adjusts charging based on its condition. As the battery ages, it may not be able to hold a full charge, and the charging limit is set to 80% to maintain its health and prevent unexpected shutdowns.
3. Calibration Issue: Resetting Battery Percentage
Sometimes, the problem of your iPhone not charging beyond 80% may be due to a calibration issue. The battery percentage displayed on your device may not accurately reflect its actual charge level.
In such cases, recalibrating the battery can help resolve the issue. To do this, fully charge your iPhone to 100% and then use it until the battery drains completely.
Next, charge it back to 100% without interruptions. This process helps recalibrate the battery and may restore the accurate battery percentage display.
4. Faulty Charger or Cable: Ensuring Proper Charging
A faulty charger or cable can also be the culprit behind your iPhone not charging above 80%. A damaged or worn-out charger or cable may not provide sufficient power to charge your device fully.
To rule out this possibility, try using a different charger and cable to see if the issue persists. If your iPhone charges to 100% with a different charger, then it’s likely that the original charger or cable needs to be replaced.
5. Software Update: Fixing Known Issues
Sometimes, the problem of your iPhone not charging beyond 80% can be a temporary software glitch that can be resolved through a software update. Apple regularly releases iOS updates to address various issues and improve the performance of their devices.
Check for any available software updates and install them to ensure that your iPhone is running the latest software version, which may include bug fixes related to charging.
6. Battery Degradation: Signs of Wear and Tear
Lastly, if your iPhone is older or has been heavily used, it’s possible that the battery has degraded over time. Lithium-ion batteries, like those used in iPhones, have a limited lifespan and gradually lose their capacity to hold a charge.
As the battery health declines, it may struggle to charge beyond 80%. In such cases, replacing the battery can be a viable solution to restore full charging capacity.
7. Background Activity: Power-Hungry Apps
Certain power-hungry apps running in the background can consume a significant amount of power and prevent your iPhone from charging to its full capacity. These apps may include resource-intensive games, video streaming services, or apps that continuously run processes in the background. To identify and manage such apps, you can go to the Battery section in your iPhone’s Settings. From there, you can view the battery usage of each app and close any unnecessary or power-consuming applications.
8. Extreme Temperatures: Charging Precautions
Extreme temperatures can also affect your iPhone’s charging capability. Apple devices are designed to operate within a specific temperature range for optimal performance. If your iPhone becomes too hot or too cold, it may prevent the battery from charging beyond 80% as a safety measure.
In hot temperatures, it’s advisable to keep your iPhone in a cooler environment before attempting to charge it. In cold temperatures, allow the device to warm up gradually before charging.
Resetting Settings: Troubleshooting Step
If you have tried the aforementioned solutions and your iPhone still won’t charge beyond 80%, resetting your device’s settings can be a troubleshooting step to consider. This process does not delete any data but resets settings like network, display, and privacy settings to their default values.
To reset settings, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. Keep in mind that you’ll need to reconfigure certain preferences and reconnect to Wi-Fi networks after the reset.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several reasons why your iPhone may not be charging above 80%. Battery optimization, battery health management, calibration issues, faulty chargers or cables, software glitches, and battery degradation can all play a role in this issue.
By understanding these factors, you can take appropriate steps to address the problem. If the issue persists or you’re unsure about how to proceed, it’s recommended to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance.
