Battery Health 101: Why Won't My iPhone Charge Past 80?

Have you noticed that your iPhone won’t charge past 80 while charging? You're not alone. This is a common concern among iPhone users, especially if you've noticed it happening consistently. But don’t worry.

In this post, we'll explain why your iPhone might be stopping at 80% and show you how to fix it. Plus, we’ll share essential tips to protect your iPhone battery’s health during charging.

Keep reading to uncover solutions to get your iPhone charging to 100% again and ensure a longer-lasting battery life!

iPhone Won’t Charge Past 80? Here’s How to Fix It

Now, let’s check the common reasons why your iPhone sometimes stops charging at 80% and find out solutions to fix your iPhone not fully charging issue.

Enabled Optimized Battery Charging

Your iPhone may stop charging at around 80% due to a feature called "Optimized Battery Charging." This feature learns from your daily charging patterns to slow down the battery aging process. When it's enabled, your iPhone will delay charging past 80% in certain situations.

For instance, if you usually charge your phone all night, the device will hold at 80% for most of the night, charging to 100% just before you typically wake up. This reduces the time the battery spends at higher charges, ultimately extending its overall lifespan and maintaining optimal performance.

Introduced with iOS 13, "Optimized Battery Charging" is designed to extend your battery's power and lifespan by reducing the energy usage of apps that you're not actively using. Essentially, it manages the performance of your apps based on your habits and usage patterns. For example, if you have an app that runs in the background all the time, battery optimization may limit its background activity when your battery runs low.

Solution: To turn off the Optimized Battery Charging feature, go to "Settings" > "Battery" > "Battery Health & Charging" > "Optimized Battery Charging." Toggle it off to solve the problem.

Charging Limits on iPhone 15 Models and Later

On iPhone 15 models and later, if you have set the charge limit to 80%, your iPhone will not charge beyond this point. Actually, this Charging Limit can help prolong your iPhone battery life.

If you are using an iPhone 15 with an older version of iOS, you may adjust the charge limit to 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% as needed. Note that even if you set the charge limit to 100%, Optimized Battery Charging may still hold the charge around 80%, continue slower charging after 80 percent, and only finish charging to 100% shortly before you need to use your phone.

Other Possible Reasons for iPhone Stuck on 80 

If disabling Optimized Battery Charging doesn’t solve the issue, there could be other factors at play: 

• iPhone Battery Protection

When your iPhone is charging, if the battery becomes too warm, charging will be limited to 80% to prevent damage and extend the battery's lifespan. Charging will resume once the temperature returns to normal.

Solution: To avoid iPhone overheating, use a low-wattage charger or put your iPhone in a cooler place, such as an air-conditioned room.

• Dirty Charging Port

Dust or debris in the charging port can cause incomplete connections, affecting iPhone charging.

Solution: You can plug your charger into another power outlet or USB port to rule out any issues with the power source. Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean the port gently.

• Hardware Issues

An aging or defective battery may prevent the phone from charging beyond 80%. What’s more, damaged or non-certified charging cables can cause incomplete charging.

Solution: To avoid this, always use genuine or MFi-certified charging accessories and consider replacing the battery if it shows signs of wear.

• Software Issues

Sometimes, a software glitch may prevent your iPhone from charging past 80%.

Solution: A quick restart can solve charging problems. Simply press and hold the power button until the "slide to power off" slider appears. Turn off your iPhone, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on.

Also, you need to make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update, and update your iOS.

If the issue persists, try resetting your settings. Navigate to "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone" > “Reset” > "Reset All Settings”.

When to Seek Professional Help

If the above issues haven’t been resolved, it's a good idea to reach out to Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for additional help. There might be an underlying hardware issue that requires professional attention.

4 Tips to Protect Your iPhone Battery During Charging

Now, you’ve managed to fix the issue that your iPhone stops charging at 80%. Let’s explore some additional proactive measures you can take to keep your iPhone’s battery healthy during the charging process and ensure it lasts longer over time.

1. Use Certified iPhone Chargers and Cables

To keep your iPhone's battery healthy, it's essential to use certified cables and chargers for iPhone. Non-certified chargers could potentially deliver inappropriate voltage or current, which can strain the battery, resulting in quicker overall degradation or even potential harm to the device. Always ensure that you are using an MFi (Made For iPhone) certified charger and cable, which you can typically identify by a logo on the packaging.

A good example is the Anker 641 USB-C to Lightning Cable (Flow, Silicone), which is an MFi-certified tool, ensuring secure, high-speed charging for Lightning devices. This cable combines a slim design with remarkable durability, thanks to a 25,000-bend lifespan. It offers high-speed Power Delivery charging when used with a 20W USB-C charger (not included) and supports rapid data transfer at speeds.

2. Charge iPhone in a Cool Environment

The iPhone battery operates best at a comfortable room temperature, typically between 62° to 72° F (16° to 22° C). Charging your device in conditions that are too hot can cause irreversible capacity loss. That means your battery won't power your device as long on a given charge. Charging in cold conditions can also harm your battery life. Hence, it's always wise to charge your iPhone in a cool & dry environment to guarantee the longevity of your iPhone battery.

3. Maintain Good Charging Habits

Sometimes, due to busy schedules, we tend to leave our iPhones connected to the charger even after they are fully charged. However, doing this on a regular basis could strain the battery, leading to its deterioration over time. Although your iPhone is smart enough to stop charging once the battery reaches 100%, leaving it connected to the power source for prolonged periods may generate excess heat, which can impair battery health. Therefore, try to unplug your iPhone once it has reached full charge to maintain optimal battery health and lifespan.

4. Set a Charging Limit to Protect Battery Health

To extend the lifespan of your iPhone’s battery, consider setting a charging limit. Charging your iPhone to 80% or 90% instead of 100% can significantly reduce wear and tear. Lower charge levels reduce voltage stress on the battery, slowing down the chemical reactions that cause capacity loss over time. Additionally, features like Optimized Battery Charging automatically pause charging at 80% to minimize chemical stress, particularly during overnight charging. This not only helps prevent excessive heat buildup but also reduces the need for frequent full charge cycles, preserving battery health and improving overall performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we've known reasons why won't my iPhone charge past 80. While this is often due to the Optimized Battery Charging feature, other factors can also play a role. By applying the solutions we’ve outlined, you can get your iPhone back to charging up to 100% when needed. Additionally, adopting good charging practices will go a long way in preserving your iPhone’s battery health, ensuring that it stays reliable and efficient over time.

FAQ about "Why Won't My iPhone Charge Past 80"

Here are some commonly asked queries about “why won't my iPhone charge past 80”.

1. How Can I Charge My iPhone Over 80?

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health > Optimized Battery Charging, and turn off the Optimized Battery Charging feature. The purpose of this feature is to minimize the aging of the battery, but disabling it will allow your iPhone to charge beyond 80%.

2. Is It Safe to Charge My iPhone to 100% Occasionally?

Yes, it is safe to occasionally charge your iPhone to 100%, as the device is designed to handle such charge levels. However, continually charging it to 100% and keeping it fully charged for extended periods may stress the battery and might contribute to battery aging.

3. Does Wireless Charging Have Any Impact on the 80% Charging Limit?

No, wireless charging does not have any impact on the 80% charging limit. This limit is part of the 'Optimized Battery Charging' feature in iOS, which is designed to slow the rate of battery aging, regardless of whether the charging is wired or wireless. You can manage this feature in the same way, from the "Battery Health" setting. You can learn more on "Is Wireless Charging Bad for Battery Health".

4. Does Android Have Optimized Battery Charging?

Yes, Android devices offer optimized battery charging features like Adaptive Charging and Adaptive Battery. These technologies learn user habits to adjust charging patterns, aiming to extend battery lifespan by reducing wear from overcharging and excessive heat.

5. How Many Cycles Until Your iPhone Loses Battery?

iPhone batteries are built to maintain up to 80% of their original capacity after a certain number of complete charge cycles under ideal conditions. For iPhone 14 models and earlier, this threshold is 500 full charge cycles. For iPhone 15 and later, it has been increased to 1,000 full charge cycles.

A complete charge cycle means using 100% of your battery's capacity, but it doesn’t have to happen all at once. For example, if you use 50% of your battery one day and then recharge it, then use another 50% the next day, that adds up to one full charge cycle.