[Troubleshooting Guide] How to Fix iPhone Won't Charge Past 80%?

"Hi, I bought my iPhone 12 Pro Max just 4 days ago. I have noticed that it would never charge past 80% even though the Optimized Battery Charging option is turned off. I have never seen it reach 90 to 100% since I got it. I have also updated to the latest iOS version available, but nothing changed. Could it be that there is a defect on my iPhone?"

- from Apple Community

Many users may encounter a confusing issue when charging their iPhone: the device stops charging at 80% and won't continue to 100%. This article will explore the common reasons why an iPhone won't charge past 80% and provide specific solutions to help resolve the issue and extend the lifespan of your device's battery.

Part 1. Why Does My iPhone Only Charging to 80%?

If your iPhone only charges to 80%, the following are some possible reasons:

• Optimized Battery Charging Feature: Apple introduced the "Optimized Battery Charging" feature to extend battery lifespan. When enabled, the iPhone pauses charging at 80% and resumes charging at 100% just before you are likely to use the device, based on your charging habits.
• High Ambient Temperature: High temperatures can affect battery performance. To protect the battery, when the iPhone detects the device is overheating, it may limit charging to 80%.
• Declining Battery Health: If the iPhone's battery health is poor (e.g., capacity below 80%), it can result in reduced charging efficiency, preventing the device from charging fully to 100%.
• Charger or Cable Issues: Using non-original or damaged chargers and cables can also prevent the device from charging to 100%.

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Won't Charge Past 80%

After we know the reasons for iPhone battery won't charge past 80%, here are some solutions you can use to resolve this issue.

Fix 1. Disable Optimized Battery Charging

The Optimized Battery Charging feature could be one of the main reasons why the device won't charge past 80. Disabling this feature can allow the device to charge fully. To disable it, follow the steps below:

Step 1. On your iPhone, open "Settings" > "Battery"> "Battery Health & Charging".

Step 2. Turn off the "Optimized Battery Charging" option.

Step 3. Reconnect the charger and check if it charges past 80%.

Fix 2. Replace Charging Equipment

If your iPhone only charging to 80%, damaged or incompatible charging cables and chargers could also be a possible cause. Try using an Apple original charger and cable. If the original equipment is unavailable, choose MFi-certified third-party accessories. Additionally, you can clean the charging port to ensure there is no dust or debris obstructing the connection.

Fix 3. Lower Device Temperature

High device temperatures can trigger the system's protection mechanism, causing the charging speed to slow down or stop. To avoid the issue of the iPhone not charging past 80%, you can:

• Move the device to a cool, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Close power-hungry apps and background activities to reduce power consumption and temperature.
• Pause charging and wait for the device to cool down before reconnecting the charger.

Fix 4. Check Battery Health

If the iPhone battery is significantly aged, it can affect charging performance. By checking the battery's health, you can determine if a battery replacement is needed.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Battery" > "Battery Health & Charging" to check the battery's maximum capacity.

Step 2. If the maximum capacity is below 80%, it is recommended to contact Apple Support for a battery replacement.

Fix 5. Restart the iPhone

Sometimes, system glitches can affect the device's charging performance. Restarting the device can resolve most temporary issues, including the iPhone not charging past 80%.

To restart your iPhone, follow the steps below:

For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later:

• Press and hold both the "Volume" button and the "Side" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Drag the slider to turn off your device, then wait about 30 seconds for it to power down completely.
• To turn the device back on, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation):

• Press and hold the "Side" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Drag the slider to turn off your device, then wait about 30 seconds for it to shut down.
• To turn the device back on, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 5, or earlier:

• Press and hold the "Top" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Drag the slider to turn off your device, then wait about 30 seconds for it to shut down.
• To power your device back on, press and hold the "Top" button until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 6. Reset All Settings

If none of the previous solutions have worked, you can try resetting all settings on your device. This will restore all settings in the Settings app to their default values and may help resolve the issue if incorrect or faulty settings were the cause.

Here's how it works:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone".

Step 2. Select "Reset" > "Reset All Settings".

Step 3. Enter your passcode and confirm the action. After the reset is complete, reconnect the charger and test if the issue is resolved.

Fix 7. Use iOS System Recovery

If the above methods are ineffective, the charging issue may be caused by a system malfunction. iOS System Recovery is a professional iPhone system repair tool that can quickly fix various iOS system errors without losing data.

Key features of iOS System Recovery:

• Fix various iPhone charging issues, such as the iPhone won't charging past 80%, iPhone charge slow, etc., in one click.
• Support to fix iPhone stuck in recovery mode, iPhone won't restore, iPhone black/white/yellow/blue screen of death, etc.
• Offer Standard Mode and Advanced Mode for repairs.
• Easy to use & no data loss.
• Work well with almost all iPhone models, including the latest iPhone 16 (iOS 18 supported).

Here is how to use iOS System Recovery to fix iPhone only charges to 80%:

01Click the download button below to get the tool. After 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.

03Choose "Standard Mode" and click "Confirm" to continue. The tool will begin downloading the required iOS firmware.

04After the firmware download finishes, click "Repair" to start the repair process. The tool will fix your device, resolving the issue of the iPhone battery won't charge past 80%.

Fix 8. Contact Apple Support

If you've tried the above methods and the issue persists, it may be caused by a hardware malfunction. The hardware issues, such as a damaged battery or a faulty charging port, professional technical support will be required. Contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store is the most reliable solution.

Part 3. How to Extend iPhone Battery Life

Here are some tips to help you extend and maintain your iPhone's battery health for as long as possible:

• Avoid extreme battery levels: Try not to charge your iPhone to 100% or let it drain to 0%. Keeping the battery level between 40% and 80% is ideal for long-term health.
• Avoid extreme temperatures: iPhones perform best in temperatures between 16°C and 22°C. Exposing your iPhone to temperatures above 35°C or below 0°C can damage the battery over time.
• Use official charging accessories: Always use the original Apple charger and cable to charge your iPhone. If you must use third-party accessories, make sure they are MFI-certified by Apple to ensure safety and performance.

Words in the End

The methods above should resolve the issue of your iPhone only charging to 80% in most cases. If you suspect the problem is system-related, it is recommended to use iOS System Recovery to fix the issue. This tool is easy to use, safe, and can quickly restore your device's normal functionality without data loss. We hope this article helps you resolve the problem and extend the lifespan of your iPhone!

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