How do I manage the battery?
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Seriously, there are very few things that will (permanently) harm/damage a ‘smart’ battery, that is, a battery pack with its own microcontroller in conjunction with the device’s power management system.
When it’s your job to take devices apart and figure out how they work, you start to think about them differently. I like to think about the complex circuitry of a smartphone the same way I think about…
www.ifixit.com
So, is it OK to reach 20%?
Yes — and lower.
- Should I charge it only when it reaches a certain percentage?
No need.
*** That is, unless you have OCPD — like me. 😉 😆
That said, I have an iPhone that charges to 100% by choice, with no optimization. The difference is that when I charge it, I'm almost always close to it, so I unplug it once it reaches 100%.
Reaching full (i.e., 100%) is fine. Although, indeed, best not to leave the charge at 100% for long periods, especially weeks or months. Holding at either extreme (i.e., near 100% or near 0%) for lengthy periods
can be harmful for a battery cell. The following note is regarding long-term device storage, however, it’s generally relevant:
If you store a device when its battery is fully discharged, the battery could fall into a deep discharge state, which renders it incapable of holding a charge. Conversely, if you store it fully charged for an extended period of time, the battery may lose some capacity, leading to shorter battery life.
Depending on how long you store your device, it may be in a low-battery state when you remove it from long-term storage. After it’s removed from storage, it may require 20 minutes of charging with the original adapter before you can use it.
Maximize the life and lifespan of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your MacBook, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
www.apple.com
The bottom line is that when I charge it, I'm mostly away, so even though it takes a couple of hours to charge, it could stay connected for 6-7 hours.
You’re likely fine. Again, the problem is primarily when a battery needs to withstand the extreme for weeks. Or, put another way, if the device is at 100% state-of-charge more than it’s at any other level, such as if your laptop is rarely used mobile, connected to the charger most of the time. Hence why optimized (i.e., limited) charging exists.
- Do I turn it off every night?
- At night, is it better to turn it off + plugged in OR standby + plugged in?
Not a necessity, or shouldn’t be. On that note, it is good practice to execute a shut down or reboot every few days or so; not so much for the battery but for software maintenance, a regular ‘reset’ or “clean slate” if you will.
- When I put it on my desk, do I plug it in immediately to charge or not?
Don't waste your life staring at the battery level.
Just use it.
Charge it overnight and it should last the next day until bed. Mine does.
Exactly, how often you should/need to charge it will vary, including but not limited to usage. My M1 Pro MBP can last up to a month in standby/sleep on a single (full) charge. Similar to an automobile fuel tank, a battery doesn’t need to be refilled (i.e., recharged) following every use.
Speaking of maintenance and good practice, (re)calibrate every few months or so.
All newly-installed smart batteries should be calibrated as soon as possible. This helps your phone or laptop get an accurate reading on the battery’s state of charge.
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One more thing… Not as relevant to laptops though, a good reminder anyway...
Also from the Maximizing Performance document/article:
Avoid extreme ambient temperatures.
Your device is designed to perform well in a wide range of ambient temperatures, with 62° to 72° F (16° to 22° C) as the ideal comfort zone. It’s especially important to avoid exposing your device to ambient temperatures higher than 95° F (35° C), which can permanently damage battery capacity. That is, your battery won’t power your device as long on a given charge. Charging the device in high ambient temperatures can damage it further. Software may limit charging above 80% when the recommended battery temperatures are exceeded. Even storing a battery in a hot environment can damage it irreversibly. When using your device in a very cold environment, you may notice a decrease in battery life, but this condition is temporary. Once the battery’s temperature returns to its normal operating range, its performance will return to normal as well.
