iOS 18 brings new charging options and iPhone 16 supports more powerful chargers – here’s what you need to know about charging your iPhone!
iOS 18: How to best charge your iPhone
If you have iOS 18 installed, you have a number of new options when it comes to charging your iPhone 15 (and iPhone 16). For example, you can now take advantage of extended charging limits, which is better for the life of the battery. Previously, you could choose a limit of 80 percent, now you can also choose 85, 90 and 95 percent.
It’s good for the battery because it reduces the time it takes for your iPhone to be fully charged. According to Apple, the feature is especially beneficial for people who often leave their iPhone plugged in for long periods of time. Adjusting the setting is done as follows:
- Open the Settings app;
- Tap ‘Battery’;
- Tap ‘Charging’;
- Select the desired percentage.
Choose the right percentage
When choosing a charging limit, consider your daily usage patterns. If you’re often able to charge throughout the day, a lower limit like 80 or 85 percent might be sufficient. If you need your battery to last longer between charges, the 90 or 95 percent options might be more appropriate.
You can always adjust this setting. If you’re planning on going a long day without power sources, you can temporarily disable the limit and fully charge your iPhone. If you do, iOS 18 gives you the option to keep it at 100 percent until tomorrow, or permanently.
Recommendation based on usage
iOS 18 takes things a step further by proactively recommending a specific charging limit based on your usage habits. If you have an iPhone 15 (or iPhone 16), you can expect a notification after a while suggesting an optimal charging limit for your device.
Slow charger
If you have iOS 18 installed, you will also get a warning if you are using a slow charger. In Settings, the battery level graph will show an orange color if there has been a slow charge in the last 24 hours. If the charging time reaches a certain threshold, a “Slow charger” warning will appear above the graph. It is not yet clear what charging speed triggers the warning, but it is useful to know if you are using an older charger.
Many wireless chargers advertise MagSafe compatibility but don’t offer the maximum charging speed. The warning can help you determine why your iPhone isn’t charging at full speed. You’ll have to dig into the settings yourself to see if there’s a warning.
Use the correct charger
If you switch to an iPhone 16, it is a good idea to switch to the right charger. All iPhone 16 models support up to 45 W wired fast charging via the USB C connection. For comparison: the iPhone 15 models are stuck at 27-29 W. If you want to use this faster charging effectively, you need a more powerful charger.
For example, you can choose the Anker 313 charger. It has a capacity of 45 watts and one connection port. If you want two connection ports, you choose the Anker 523, for example, with a capacity of 47 watts.