Should you run your phone down to zero? Myth and answer

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Why a full discharge hurts

Lithium-ion batteries have no memory effect, and they don’t need to be run down to zero from time to time. The deeper you discharge a battery, the faster it wears. Partial discharges and partial charges are gentler on it.

1. Charge more often, in small top-ups

Don’t wait for the phone to switch itself off. It’s better to plug it in while there’s still some charge left. Keeping the battery fully charged all the time isn’t ideal either: a high charge level puts stress on it, especially in the heat.

2. Keep it away from heat and cold

According to Apple, an iPhone works best between 0 and 35 °C. Above 35 °C the battery’s capacity can drop permanently, so don’t leave the phone in the sun or in a hot car. In the cold, the battery runs down faster, but only temporarily, and the phone may shut down unexpectedly, especially when the charge is already low.

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3. Use the charging settings

On iPhone 15 and later you can set a charge limit between 80 and 100% in steps of 5%. There is also Optimised Battery Charging: it can hold the charge back above 80% and finish closer to the time you usually unplug. It learns your routine, so it may not kick in if you charge at a different time every day.

When to replace the battery

Open Settings → Battery → Battery Health and check “Maximum Capacity”. If it’s below 80%, you have to charge more and more often, or the phone shuts down suddenly even though there is charge left and it isn’t freezing, the battery is probably worn out and worth replacing. We replace iPhone batteries at our workshop in Riga. If you have the repair done with us, the diagnostics are free; if you decline the repair, they cost €20.

Also read: Why a battery swells, and why that’s dangerous.

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