Top 10 Tips to Boost iPhone Charging Speed

Charging an iPhone used to be a straightforward task. Simply plug in the Lightning cable, and you’re good to go. However, there are alternative ways to charge your iPhone that you might not know about.

In addition to using an iPad charger, you can also use your MacBook to quickly charge your iPhone. The new 12” MacBook from Apple features a USB Type-C port that delivers up to 3A of power output (which is higher than standard chargers and even iPad chargers). So, by utilizing your MacBook’s USB port, you can ensure that your iPhone charges quickly and efficiently.

If you want your iPhone to charge quickly, it’s best not to use it while it’s plugged in. This is a basic rule, but not everyone follows it. Keep in mind that using your phone while charging means you’re actively draining its battery.

If you stop using it, the phone can charge much faster, potentially nearly doubling the charging speed in the early percentage stages. Besides, using your phone while charging can be dangerous. The phone will consume energy faster, overheat, and slow down the charging process. If this is a habit of yours, it's time to break it. A helpful tip is to turn off your network connection or even power off your phone to resist the urge to check it while charging.

You won’t be able to get the maximum power if dust, lint, or other debris are blocking the charging port, preventing the charging pins from making proper contact. Use a toothpick or paperclip to carefully clean out any dirt. It's important to keep the charging port free of dust and fibers, as they can slow down charging speeds or even stop it altogether.

Also, keep your charger and phone dry. If the charger or the charging port gets wet, it will significantly slow down the charging process. If the charger accidentally falls into water, replace it immediately to ensure your safety and the protection of your device.

Since the iPhone 8/iPhone X, Apple has integrated wireless charging capabilities into its devices, a significant leap forward for iOS products at the time. However, despite this innovation, wireless charging technology has seen little improvement since its introduction, especially on iPhones.

In 2020, with the launch of the iPhone 12 series, Apple resurrected a term iPhone fans hadn't heard in years: MagSafe. Once a popular charging standard for MacBooks before 2016, MagSafe had disappeared entirely. But with the iPhone 12, MagSafe returned as the name for wireless charging accessories.

However, with a maximum charging output of only 15W, these accessories quickly became unpopular. They are both expensive and unable to charge the iPhone as quickly as wired chargers. While convenient, if you want to charge your iPhone quickly, avoid using wireless chargers.

This is the second easiest tip to speed up iPhone charging. As we mentioned earlier, the lithium-ion battery in smartphones is highly sensitive to temperature. That’s one reason why your phone may 'lag' when it gets too hot.

While charging, the battery naturally heats up, so it’s important to avoid placing your iPhone in hot environments. Excessive heat can not only slow down charging speeds but may even cause overheating or damage. To keep your device cool, consider removing the case, flipping the phone over to help it dissipate heat better, and avoid placing it on surfaces like beds or sofas, which trap heat.

This tip again ties into the way lithium-ion batteries work. These batteries perform better if they’re 'reset' after prolonged charging cycles. While it may sound technical, all you need to do is use your phone until it completely powers off, then charge it to 100% and continue using it as usual. Just remember to do this no more than once a month.

Experts suggest that fully discharging the battery to 'reset' it not only helps it charge more efficiently but also significantly extends its overall lifespan.

Charging your phone through a wall outlet is one of the best ways to speed up charging. While you can use USB charging accessories, they may reduce the charging speed by up to half. When using a USB port for charging, make sure to choose the ‘Charge Only’ option when prompted by your phone.

Also, avoid hanging your phone by the charging cable, as it could cause your device to fall. Instead, try coiling the cable and placing your phone flat and balanced inside the loop to keep it safe while charging.

Phone cases are a common accessory, offering both protection from scratches and a way to personalize your device. However, when charging your phone, Apple recommends removing the case or cover as it can interfere with the charging process. The case can trap heat, causing the battery to overheat, which can reduce its lifespan.

To ensure efficient charging, it’s best to remove the case and place your phone in a well-ventilated area. The ideal temperature for charging an iPhone is between 16°C and 22°C.

When you turn on Airplane Mode, your iPhone will automatically disable all wireless connections such as cellular, Wi-Fi, 3G, and Bluetooth. This helps conserve energy by stopping notifications, background app updates, and other battery-draining processes.

Therefore, enabling Airplane Mode can speed up the charging process. However, keep in mind that you won't be able to receive calls or emergency messages, so make sure you consider this before activating it.

To speed up iPhone charging, try using an iPad charger. While the standard iPhone charger provides just 5W, the iPad charger offers a significantly higher power output of 10-12W. Research shows that charging your iPhone with its original charger can take up to 211 minutes, but if you switch to an iPad charger, it can reduce the time to around 127 minutes.

Don't worry about using the iPad charger with your iPhone, as both devices are designed to be fully compatible with each other, according to Apple and experts.