How to Tell If You're Using a Slow iPhone Charger

[MacRumors]

In iOS 18, Apple has introduced a clever new way to identify if your iPhone charging setup is running at less than optimal speeds. The new feature appears directly in Settings, making it easy to spot when you're not getting the fastest possible charge.

The Battery section displays a Slow Charger message when your iPhone detects a "slow" charger in use. You'll also see charging periods with an orange bar. This visual indicator appears in both the 24-hour and 10-day battery usage views.

What Makes a Charger "Slow"?

• Wired chargers providing 7.5W or less power
• Standard Qi1 wireless chargers (less than 10W)
• USB ports in cars or hubs
• Chargers with multiple connected devices sharing power

Common Causes of Slow Charging

Several situations can slow down your iPhone's charging speed. A counterfeit charger could be the culprit, for example. Even some authentic third-party wireless chargers claim MagSafe compatibility but only deliver standard Qi charging speeds.

If you keep accessories like headphones connected during wireless charging, your device automatically limits power to 7.5W to meet safety standards. Running demanding apps, playing graphics-intensive games, or streaming video at high brightness while charging can also reduce charging speeds as your iPhone manages power and heat. Lastly, it's worth bearing in mind that charging in a warm environment may cause your iPhone to temporarily pause charging until the temperature falls.

Get Faster Charging Speeds

To get the fastest possible charging speeds, you'll want to use a USB-C Power Delivery charger along with the appropriate cable - USB-C for iPhone 15 and later, or USB-C to Lightning for earlier models. Alternatively, you can opt for either Apple's MagSafe Charger or any Qi2-certified wireless charger, both of which provide significantly faster charging than standard Qi chargers.

Article Link: How to Tell If You're Using a Slow iPhone Charger

 

[CarAnalogy]

Thank you for this. I had noticed the orange charging bars but wasn't sure what it meant.

 

[spikeymike]

I've seen that message using the Apple 12-watt USB-A charger as well.

 

[jz0309]

I've seen that message using the Apple 12-watt USB-A charger as well.

well, USB-A is limited to 5 Watts ...

 

[jz0309]

and then there are people who charge overnight and are happy with 5W ...

 

[roar08]

and then there are people who charge overnight and are happy with 5W ...

That's me — mine is slow charge overnight.

 

[locovaca]

Slow charger shaming. Maybe I like my slow charging!

 

[wellander1]

And keep in mind that slow charging does not damage the unit.

 

[MrRom92]

We need significantly faster charging. That is one of the only upgrades to the iPhone that would really perk my ears up

 

[dwaltwhit]

Looks like mine is slow. I don't really mind because it's overnight and it gets up to where it needs to. My biggest challenge, and maybe someone can help me, is finding something that can charge my iPhone 14 pro, watch (series 10) and an iPad (old, used for full screen alarm clock). What I have now is from an interesting assortment of letters brand from amazon.

 

[zorinlynx]

Huh. So my 15 Pro Max seems to think my Anker PowerWave magsafe charging stand is low power. It charges at a decent rate, though.

Not going to complain, though; the phone already gets pretty warm when charging on it, and it's a nightstand charger so it has all night. I'd rather it charge slower and a bit warm than to charge really fast and get much hotter.

I wish Apple would just put an indication as to how many watts the charger can provide, and the current charging rate. It's not exactly hard for them to implement.

 

[jz0309]

And keep in mind that slow charging does not damage the unit.

Your statement suggests that you believe that fast charging “damages the unit” - that is incorrect but you are entitled to your opinion, and of course to “slow” charging

 

[ikramerica]

I have noticed my 12Pro is charging faster but also getting hotter when charging under ios18. It is noticeable compared to ios17. Seems as if ios18 is smarter about knowing what is happening with the power it receives and is more optimized to use it.

I would like to slow down the charging at night, but without a toggle, I guess I need a second cable attached to a 5W charger. Currently it zooms to 80% then pauses and finishes close to 6AM when I wake up. Would be nice if it slow charges until 4AM then finishes up.

 

[blw777]

It doesn't do this on older phones, does it? My iPhone 12 Pro is ALWAYS on slow charging (because I don't own any fast chargers), but it doesn't show the Slow Charger (i). I'm on 18.1.

 

[coolfactor]

Slow charger shaming. Maybe I like my slow charging!

This article and feature is surprising to me. There used to be a belief that slow (or "trickle") charging is better for the battery. Isn't that still the case? Why is Apple shaming slow charging if it's actually better?

 

[helloboo]

Your statement suggests that you believe that fast charging “damages the unit” - that is incorrect but you are entitled to your opinion, and of course to “slow” charging

fast charging generates more heat and more heat i guess will potentially wear out the battery life span more than slow charging, correct me if i am wrong

 

[fyun89]

Your statement suggests that you believe that fast charging “damages the unit” - that is incorrect but you are entitled to your opinion, and of course to “slow” charging

If you want to get into nitty gritty..

Faster charging does create more heat and that is a fact. (Not saying it will cause damage -- if the term "damage" means degrading the device below it's advertised performance)

Engineers likely designed the device to reach an "acceptable" level of temperature that the battery can tolerate during fast charging. The term "tolerate" is important here.

Because batteries contain chemistries sensitive to heat, it will always impact the performance. That opens up a possibility that by not exposing the battery to fast charging it can extend the life of the battery beyond it's advertised life.

 

[coolfactor]

Currently it zooms to 80% then pauses and finishes close to 6AM when I wake up. Would be nice if it slow charges until 4AM then finishes up.

You can create a Shortcut to achieve exactly that.

I created a Shortcut to switch to low-power mode any time I'm at 50% or less. Works great.

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

Slow chargers are good, especially for overnight. Much better for battery longevity. Heat KILLS batteries. I've found wireless chargers in vehicles get so hot that the phone actually stops charging. I typically don't use those chargers and just plug in, especially if on a long trip and using CarPlay for GPS.

 

[jz0309]

If you want to get into nitty gritty..

Faster charging does create more heat and that is a fact. (Not saying it will cause damage -- if the term "damage" means degrading the device below it's advertised performance)

Engineers likely designed the device to reach an "acceptable" level of temperature that the battery can tolerate during fast charging. The term "tolerate" is important here.

Because batteries contain chemistries sensitive to heat, it will always impact the performance. That opens up a possibility that by not exposing the battery to fast charging it can extend the life of the battery beyond it's advertised life.

Sure, more current will create more heat, but, battery tech and composition have evolved too.
What it really boils down to is how “fast” is too fast…
But a generic statement that “fast charging” is bad is not true anymore

 

[klasma]

Your statement suggests that you believe that fast charging “damages the unit” - that is incorrect but you are entitled to your opinion, and of course to “slow” charging

He wasn’t suggesting that at all. Apple’s visualization, however, suggests that “slow” charging is somehow bad.

The only semi-useful purpose of this feature is to be able to more easily distinguish between lower wattage and some process draining the battery while charging. Otherwise the slope of the graph already tells you how fast or slow it’s charging.

 

[TallManNY]

For me, personally, the iPhone has been charging "fast enough" for years now. This is probably because I have only one 5w charger still in service anywhere in my house (and it is never used to charge my main phone). And the wireless set it down charging protocol is so easy, it is simple to top up the phone next to my desk (both desk at work and desk at home).

 

[klasma]

You can create a Shortcut to achieve exactly that.

I created a Shortcut to switch to low-power mode any time I'm at 50% or less. Works great.

Low-power mode doesn’t effect slow charging, does it?

 

[Tr55]

I prefer slow charging, the phone heats up less and longevity will almost certainly be improved.

I have both fast and slow setups. I use them appropriately, if I am in a hurry I go fast if not, I always use slow.

 

[zkmusa]

It would be nice if this would also show the actual charging power in watts.