Still confused about Optimized Charging: To use or not? (16e)

[TomFromAndroid]

I've read much about Optimized Charging -- its purpose and how it works but I still don't get why I would NOT use it. If it can learn my charging patterns and limit the amount of charge as needed, why would I ever want to set a lower charge limit manually?

I currently have the limit set at 95% and it seems to provide all the power I need, with a charge needed only every 3 days or so (I don't live my entire life on my phone, I guess) but I'm wondering if it would be better for the battery's long term service life if I were using Optimized Charging.

 

[aihpcfl]

Doing what works for you is the right idea. It is good to think about these things to a point, but then don't overthink it. Don't dwell on it always wondering if there is some better way. Use the device the way you need to use it. At some point the device is not going to do what you need, for whatever reason, and then you fix it or replace it.

 

[rui no onna]

I doubt there's going to be much difference in battery health.

Unless you do something extreme, the difference is likely going to be negligible.

For example, I have my phone set to 80% limit but that's mainly because it's on a wireless charging dock ~22 hours a day.

 

[jz0309]

I've read much about Optimized Charging -- its purpose and how it works but I still don't get why I would NOT use it. If it can learn my charging patterns and limit the amount of charge as needed, why would I ever want to set a lower charge limit manually?

I currently have the limit set at 95% and it seems to provide all the power I need, with a charge needed only every 3 days or so (I don't live my entire life on my phone, I guess) but I'm wondering if it would be better for the battery's long term service life if I were using Optimized Charging.

many many threads and opinions on this, whatever works for you.
Me, I have a 17PM and my charge limit is set to 100%, I have optimized charging on which means it sits at 80% for some time before charging to 100%. I'm typically at 60ish% at the end of the day before putting it on the original MagSafe charger overnight.
I don't want to think about battery health, I don't care tbh, a battery is a consumable and when it doesn't hold the charge anymore it gets replaced, YMMV
BTW, I do the same with my AWs as well as MacBook, always charge to 100%

 

[one more]

It all depends on your lifestyle and usage pattern.

For Optimised Charging (OC) to work effectively, you need to have a steady charging routine, such as plugging and unplugging your device in at more or less regular times. So after learning your charging patterns for up to two weeks, the OC will step in.

If you are more spontaneous, topping it up randomly here and there, setting up a charge limit makes more sense, so the battery never exceeds a set %, thus reducing an unnecessary overheating. This is quite helpful, for example, if you charge your iPhone in a car regularly or use it with CarPlay.

Personally, I have used the OC until the charging limits were introduced and now only use those, starting with 80% on brand new devices and then adjusting the % as needed. This works very well for me and my iPhone battery is still at a 100% after 153 cycles (about 8 months of iPhone use).

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I've read much about Optimized Charging -- its purpose and how it works but I still don't get why I would NOT use it. If it can learn my charging patterns and limit the amount of charge as needed, why would I ever want to set a lower charge limit manually?

I currently have the limit set at 95% and it seems to provide all the power I need, with a charge needed only every 3 days or so (I don't live my entire life on my phone, I guess) but I'm wondering if it would be better for the battery's long term service life if I were using Optimized Charging.

As others said, it largely depends on your charging habits. But also, there are two separate features here, one of which can’t even be disabled on iPhone 15 and above.

Optimized Charge Limit (OCL) is the feature you can turn on & off, and can set a maximum charge level. Personally I do use 80% for that, as my phone typically is on a charger probably more than off. It’s on a bedside MagSafe all night; on a MagSafe stand at my desk at work; and in the built-in Qi charger in my car when I’m driving. And, 80% battery is MORE than enough for me; the phone still seldom drops below 60% but even if I travel for the day on an airline I’ve seldom needed to charge until I go to sleep. I don’t want it CONSTANTLY maxing out the battery so OCL makes sense for me.

Optimized Battery Charging (OBC) is the other feature that was mentioned, where iOS “learns” your charging habits and pauses charging at 80% until a short time before it anticipates you removing the phone from the charger. This USED to be something you could turn on & off, but since the iPhone 15 it’s always on. You won’t “not use it” because you CAN’T not use it. And if you’re charging the phone just once a day, in a fairly predictable pattern - that’s probably all you need, yes.

 

[one more]

Optimized Battery Charging (OBC) is the other feature that was mentioned, where iOS “learns” your charging habits and pauses charging at 80% until a short time before it anticipates you removing the phone from the charger. This USED to be something you could turn on & off, but since the iPhone 15 it’s always on. You won’t “not use it” because you CAN’T not use it. And if you’re charging the phone just once a day, in a fairly predictable pattern - that’s probably all you need, yes.

I can still turn it off on my iPhone 17 running iOS 26.5.1 🖐️ It’s in French, but you get the idea. Apple will pop some warning windows at you if you disable it, but it will still work.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I can still turn it off on my iPhone 17 running iOS 26.5.1 🖐️ It’s in French, but you get the idea. Apple will pop some warning windows at you if you disable it, but it will still work.

View attachment 2635479

Sorry, you're correct - I didn't realize there has been a change in that so that if you have OCL set to 100% you can turn OBC on & off. I don't, of course, so never noticed 😉

 

[one more]

Sorry, you're correct - I didn't realize there has been a change in that so that if you have OCL set to 100% you can turn OBC on & off. I don't, of course, so never noticed 😉

Yep, right now (iOS 26.5) we can turn the OBC on or off at any set battery charging limit (OCL), from 80% to a 100%.