12 Fixes to iPhone Showing Charging But Battery Percentage Not Increasing

"I just noticed that my iPhone 13's battery percentage wasn't increasing despite it being charged (the lightning icon in the battery was showing). I restarted it and it seems to be OK now. Should I be worried? This is my first iPhone and I just bought it 3 weeks ago.. no dirt in the charging port either, latest iOS version 15.5."

- from Reddit

Is your iPhone showing charging but battery percentage not increasing? If yes, it can be both confusing and disruptive to the normal use of the device. So, what causes this issue, and how can we fix it? This article will explain the reasons behind the problem and provide detailed solutions to ensure your device can resume normal charging functionality.

Part 1. Why Is My iPhone Charging But Not Increasing in Percentage?

If there is any issue with the hardware, software, or system, you may experience the iPhone showing charging but battery percentage not increasing. Some specific reasons are as follows:

• Charging Equipment Issues: The quality of the charging cable or adapter directly impacts charging performance. If the charging equipment is damaged, or incompatible, or a non-original charger is used, it may cause the iPhone to show a charging status without the battery percentage actually increasing.
• Battery Health Issues: Battery aging is a common cause of charging problems. When the iPhone's battery health is low, its charging efficiency significantly decreases, and even when connected to a charger, the battery may not charge properly.
• Software Issues: Software bugs or firmware problems in the iOS system can also lead to charging abnormalities. For example, the system might incorrectly display a charging status while the battery is not actually charging.
• Charging Port Issues: If the charging port is clogged with dust, debris, or other foreign objects, it may obstruct proper charging. This physical obstruction can affect the flow of current, preventing the battery from charging correctly.

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Showing Charging But Battery Percentage Not Increasing

After we know the reasons for the phone showing charging but battery percentage not increasing, here are some 12 effective solutions you can try.

Fix 1. Check the Power Supply

If your iPhone is showing charging but battery percentage not increasing, check if the status bar shows a green battery icon with a lightning bolt symbol or a large battery icon. If neither is visible, your iPhone isn't indicating that it's charging and may not be connected to a power source.

Ensure that your iPhone is properly plugged into a charger and that the charger is connected to a powered-on outlet.

Fix 2. Clean the Charging Port

Many people may overlook the possibility that a dirty charging port is preventing your phone's battery from charging properly, even though it shows as charging. It's a good idea to clean the port if you suspect it's blocked by dust or debris. You can gently clean it using an anti-static brush or a new toothpick. Be sure not to apply too much pressure; just lightly scrape the port to remove any hidden dirt or dust.

Fix 3. Try a Different Lightning Cable

If you have cleaned the charging port and inserted the Lightning cable, but your iPhone still shows charging but battery percentage not increasing, the issue may lie with your Lightning cable. If your charging cable is damaged, it may not be able to charge your phone properly. You should try using another Lightning cable with your iPhone.

Fix 4. Turn Off Battery Percentage

Try turning off the option to display the battery percentage on your iPhone, then turn it back on. This can help refresh the settings and fix any issues with the battery percentage display. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Scroll down and tap "Battery".

Step 3. Find the toggle next to "Battery Percentage" and turn it off.

Step 4. Wait a few minutes, then turn the toggle back on.

Fix 5. Close Background Apps

Apps running in the background may consume a significant amount of power, causing the charging speed to lag behind the rate of battery drain, creating the illusion that the battery is not charging. Here's how to close background apps on your iPhone:

Step 1. Double-press the "Home" button, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.

Step 2. Swipe left or right to browse through the apps running in the background.

Step 3. Swipe up on each app preview to close it.

Once you've closed all the background apps, plug your iPhone in again and see if it's charging properly.

Fix 6. Check Battery Health Settings

If your battery health has declined, it may directly affect charging efficiency. By checking the battery's health, you can assess whether a battery replacement is needed.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Battery" > "Battery Health".

Step 2. Check the "Maximum Capacity" and "Peak Performance Capability".

Step 3. If the maximum capacity is below 80%, it's recommended to visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider for a battery replacement.

Fix 7. Drain the Battery and Recharge

Draining and then recharging your iPhone battery can sometimes help recalibrate the battery percentage indicator, fixing issues where the battery percentage is incorrect or appears stuck.

To do this, use your iPhone until the battery drains completely and the device shuts off by itself. Then, plug it in and charge it uninterrupted until it reaches 100%. Be sure to use a reliable power source and cable.

Fix 8. Reset All Settings

Certain system settings may conflict with the charging function. Resetting all settings can clear any issues in the settings without affecting personal data.

Here's how it works:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General" > "Reset" > "Reset All Settings".

Step 2. Enter your password and confirm the action.

Step 3. After the device restarts, try charging again.

Fix 9. Hard Restart iPhone

A hard reset can force the system to refresh and fix issues caused by temporary glitches. To hard reset your iPhone, follow the steps below:

For iPhone 8 or later:

• Quickly press and release the "Volume Up" button.
• Quickly press and release the "Volume Down" button.
• Press and hold the "Side" (Power) button until the Apple logo appears, then release the button.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:

• Press and hold both the "Volume Down" button and the "Side" (Power) button at the same time.
• Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears, then release them.

For iPhone 6s and earlier:

• Press and hold both the "Home" button and the "Side" (Power) button at the same time.
• Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears, then release them.

Fix 10. Update iPhone

The latest iOS update not only brings new features but also fixes various iPhone glitches. So, if your iPhone's battery percentage is behaving unusually, make sure to check if you've missed the latest iOS version.

To update your iPhone, here are the steps:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone and tap on "General".

Step 2. Select "Software Update". (iPhone stuck on software update?)

Step 3. Tap "Download and Install" to update your iOS to the latest version.

Fix 11. Use iOS System Recovery Without Data Loss

If the issue is resolved after trying the above solutions, that's great! However, if the problem persists, don't worry. iOS System Recovery can help you out of this tricky situation. As an expert in iPhone system repair, it can fix deeper system issues that basic solutions might not address. When simple fixes don't work, it's often due to underlying problems in your iPhone's operating system. This software offers several options to repair your iPhone without any data loss.

Highlights of iOS System Recovery:

• Fix iPhone charging issues, such as the iPhone not charging, the iPhone showing charging but battery percentage not increasing, iPhone charging slowly without data loss.
• Support fixing issues like iPhone stuck in recovery mode, iPhone unable to restore, iPhone black/white/yellow/blue screen of death, and more.
• Provide Standard Mode and Advanced Mode for repairs.
• Easy to use with no data loss.
• Fully compatible with almost all iPhone models, including the latest iPhone 16 (iOS 18 supported).

Here is how to fix the iPhone showing charging but battery percentage not increasing using iOS System Recovery:

01Click the download button below to get the tool. Once the download is complete, open the program and select "iOS System Recovery".

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

02Connect your iPhone to your computer and trust the connection. Then, click "Start" and follow the on-screen instructions to put your device into recovery mode.

03Next, choose "Standard Mode" and click "Confirm" to proceed. The tool will begin downloading the necessary iOS firmware.

04After the download is complete, click "Repair" to start the repair process. The tool will fix your device and resolve the issue of the iPhone showing charging but the battery percentage not increasing.

Fix 12. Contact Apple Support

If the charging issue persists despite trying all the solutions above, contact Apple Support for assistance. They can help diagnose if there's a more serious problem. Alternatively, you can take your iPhone to an authorized service center for a professional inspection.

Final Verdict

When your iPhone shows it's charging but the battery percentage doesn't increase, try the solutions mentioned above to find the right fix. We recommend using iOS System Recovery to quickly resolve system issues without data loss, saving you time and effort.

We hope this guide helps you solve the problem and get your device back to normal operation.

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