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Leaving Your iPhone Plugged In Overnight? Tech Pros Reveal Whether It's Safe For Battery Health

March 4, 2026 by Abigail Connolly
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If you’re someone who goes to bed every night with your iPhone plugged in and sitting on your bedside table, then you might not realize you’re actually doing some damage to your battery.

Charging an iPhone might seem like a straightforward, simple process, but there are actually a few right and wrong ways to go about it. One of the most common charging habits, leaving your phone plugged in overnight, is surprisingly one of the wrong ways to go about powering up your device, according to numerous tech pros. Read more about what they had to say and why that one habit could be putting your battery in an unsafe position.

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Why Overnight Charging Is Bad For Your iPhone's Battery

One of the most crucial parts of owning an iPhone and making it last as long as possible is doing what you can to maintain good battery health. When your device's battery starts having problems, it can lead to a whole host of issues. When it comes to charging, there is one common habit that a lot of people practice. They go through their bedtime routine, maybe scroll on their iPhone for a while, set their alarms on it, plug it into their charging cords, then leave it plugged in on their bedside tables or another surface as they sleep.

 

It's understandable to want a fully-charged phone in the morning, as you want to go as long as possible throughout your day without needing a charge break. However, leaving your phone plugged in overnight can do more damage than you may think.

 

"Usually, phone companies recommend not leaving your phone on charge all night or unplugging it once it hits 100%," notes tech expert Muhammad Madni. "Most people follow these precautions when they first buy a new phone, but after some time, they stop caring."

 

Other tech pro Michael Crapis explains that "Modern smartphone batteries degrade fastest when they sit at extreme charge levels for long periods."

 

"Keeping your phone at 100% overnight every night, especially in warm environments, accelerates chemical aging inside the battery," he continues.

 

If you are worried about not being able to break your habit of plugging in your iPhone before bed or fear you won't have time to charge in the morning, ensure that your 'Optimize Battery Charging' feature is toggled to on, as this will help prevent your phone from staying at 100% battery for too long. Still, there are even things that can degrade your battery over time, so consider charging up a few hours before bed, then leaving your phone alone and unplugged while you sleep to maintain a high percentage.

Author:

Editorial Assistant

Abigail is a journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. As an Editorial Assistant for SheFinds, she covers topics ranging from celebrity news and fashion to wellness. She has written for other publications, including Chip Chick, Bandsintown, BroadwayWorld, and more. When she isn't writing, Abigail loves spending time in the city with her friends, being a 'dog mom' to her Chihuahua, and singing along to some of her favorite music.