Will Charging Your Phone Overnight Damage It?

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I plug in my smartphone and charge it when I go to bed. So, it’s typically hooked up to the charger all night. It turns out that my charging routine is likely taking a toll on my phone’s battery.

Oops.

But because I get a new smartphone every two to three years, The New York Times says it’s unlikely I’ll notice any decreased battery performance or other battery issues.

So if you’re like me and plan on upgrading your phone once every couple of years, “feel free to charge every night, and as often as you like in between,” says the Times.

Contrary to what you may have heard, your phone is not going to overcharge. Shane Broesky, co-founder of Farbe Technik, which makes charging accessories, tells Digital Trends:

Your phone is very smart. Once it’s fully charged, it knows when to stop the current from coming in to protect your phone from overcharging.

But the simple act of charging your phone’s battery can hurt it, says the Times. Hatem Zeine, the founder, chief scientist and chief technical officer of wireless charging company Ossia, tells the Times that most phones are equipped with technology that allows their batteries to accept a faster current so they can be charged quicker.

That’s a great piece of technology if you’re waiting impatiently for your phone to charge, but it’s not good for the battery itself.

“When you charge fast all the time, you limit the life span of the battery,” Zeine explains to the Times.

If you’re looking to prolong your phone’s lithium-ion battery life, Zeine recommends charging your phone with a charger that’s designed for a less powerful device, although he can’t guarantee that will work.

If you want tips on maximizing your Apple device’s battery life and its lifespan, click here. For Android devices, click here.

How and when do you charge your smartphone? Share your comments below or on our Facebook page.

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