iOS 18 Actively Recommends Charging Limit Based on iPhone 15 Usage

[MacRumors]

On iPhone 15 models, iOS 18 will recommend that users set a particular charging limit for their device based on their recent usage habits, with the aim of potentially improving their iPhone battery's lifespan by reducing the time that the battery is fully charged.

All four iPhone 15 models feature a setting that prevents the devices from charging beyond 80% while toggled on, and iOS 18 expands the feature by adding new 85%, 90%, and 95% charging limit options. With the new limit options, iOS 18 now takes a proactive approach to improving battery longevity by recommending a specific charging limit to users via a notification.

The recommendation also appears in the Settings app under Battery → Charging. The charging limit feature remains exclusive to the iPhone 15 lineup on the first iOS 18 beta, with the option not found on the iPhone 14 Pro or older.

In a related change, anecdotal reports suggest that iOS 18 could be recalibrating some devices' maximum battery capacity percentage. In Settings ➝ Battery ➝ Battery Health, "Maximum Capacity" is a measure of battery capacity relative to when the device was new. Lower capacity can result in fewer hours of usage between charges.

• How to Get the iOS 18 Developer Beta on Your iPhone

The first iOS 18 beta is available for Apple Developer Program members, and a public beta will follow in July. After beta testing is complete, the update should be widely released to all users with an iPhone XS or newer in September.

Article Link: iOS 18 Actively Recommends Charging Limit Based on iPhone 15 Usage

 

[Reeneman]

I will change the setting from the current standard 80% to 85% when iOS 18 drops.

 

[zorinlynx]

Apple has gone from not allowing this at all, to actively pushing the feature in the span of two years.

I wonder what caused their change of heart?

 

[pksv]

Apple has gone from not allowing this at all, to actively pushing the feature in the span of two years.

I wonder what caused their change of heart?

It's probably bad press about the battery condition dropping relatively fast.

 

[InnSuu]

Whenever the phrase "... based on their recent usage habits ..." is used I have to eye roll.

 

[macvicta]

They’re getting to a point where people can hold onto their iPhones for five years. If I’m a shareholder, I’m asking what Tim is doing to replace the lost revenue from iPhone users who aren’t upgrading?

 

[neuropsychguy]

This is looking more and more like something in the hardware of the iPhone 15 models that allows the charging limits as well as this new feature. Maybe something controlling the USB C port or the battery controller itself?

 

[mrochester]

They’re getting to a point where people can hold onto their iPhones for 10 years. If I’m a shareholder, I’m asking what Tim is doing to replace the lost revenue from iPhone users who aren’t upgrading?

Replacing it with services revenue.

 

[Reeneman]

This is looking more and more like something in the hardware of the iPhone 15 models that allows the charging limits as well as this new feature. Maybe something controlling the USB C port or the battery controller itself?

It’s hardware magic. It cannot be a business decision.

 

[oneMadRssn]

The next level is to set charging limits based on time of day or type of charger. For example, when charging overnight using my 12W charger and cable, I want the limit to be 90%. When charging anytime of day in my car on the Magsafe, I want the limit to be 80%. Charging using a high-speed charger between 3pm and 11pm should have no limit.

 

[now i see it]

The more notifications the better right? Right?

 

[Reeneman]

They’re getting to a point where people can hold onto their iPhones for five years. If I’m a shareholder, I’m asking what Tim is doing to replace the lost revenue from iPhone users who aren’t upgrading?

They actively doing something against this… locking more and more software features to the newer models only.

 

[trip1ex]

I do the 80/20 thing and rest
Of family doesn’t and battery health between us is 2% difference after 2 years. Not scientific but they use their phones more than I do.

 

[munpip214]

It's probably bad press about the battery condition dropping relatively fast.

if they could increase the battery by 20%, they could just use that as the 80% buffer and then nobody would have to have a limit. It would just be a hardware feature.

 

[contacos]

you are telling me the iPhone 15 Plus is capable enough to know my charging habits but not powerful enough to remove an item from a photo with "AI"?

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

Well, this will be great for my NEXT iPhone. A little late for my 13Pro, I'm afraid.

 

[JPack]

This is looking more and more like something in the hardware of the iPhone 15 models that allows the charging limits as well as this new feature. Maybe something controlling the USB C port or the battery controller itself?

All existing devices since iPhone 6S can do Optimized Battery Charging, which delays charging past 80%. All iPhones can pause charging when high temps are experienced. So we already know existing hardware is capable. This is confirmed by the fact jailbreaking can re-enable this artificially locked feature on iPhone 14 and older. This is a case of pure feature rationing.

 

[thegerman]

If I charge my phone overnight and only sets to charge it to 80%, how is that supposed to be good for the battery if the phone is connected for hours? Will my phone actually be at 100% the next morning and only set to 80% by the software?

 

[tsandekidis]

Apple has gone from not allowing this at all, to actively pushing the feature in the span of two years.

I wonder what caused their change of heart?

The upcoming EU legislation on replaceable phone batteries

 

[ifxf]

Becoming more like Microsoft with unwanted notifications.

 

[David1964]

I’ve been using iPhones for 14 years and have always charged to 100% and since Apple introduced the ability to see your battery health percentage I have never lost more than 7% in a full year.I mostly charge overnight too.So I will stick to the 100% capacity and will just get a new battery after a couple of years or upgrade.

 

[jz0309]

I charge my phone overnight, to 100%, every day ... don't care about battery health/lifespan. Its a consumable, when it doesn't meet my needs anymore it gets replaced

 

[contacos]

Well, this will be great for my NEXT iPhone. A little late for my 13Pro, I'm afraid.

Not available on iPhone 13 anyway 😉

 

[kcslc]

They’re getting to a point where people can hold onto their iPhones for five years. If I’m a shareholder, I’m asking what Tim is doing to replace the lost revenue from iPhone users who aren’t upgrading?

As a shareholder through Vanguard’s S&P 500 Index Fund, and as a citizen of planet earth, I’m ok with them making iPhones last longer to reduce their environmental impact. Plus you know, they have doubled the price of their phones since before the iPhone X and STILL price gouge on ram and SSD upgrades.

 

[dannyyankou]

I have AppleCare, so I'm just going to use it pedal to the metal. If the battery craps out, they can replace it.

Yes I know AppleCare is a ripoff, but it's actually saved me tons of money for the repairs I've gotten.