Your device’s battery is one of the most essential components of your iPad, and it getting damaged affects the gadget’s performance because it means a shorter service time and frequent plugging in when you want to use it. Luckily, this article has all the tips you need to help keep your battery safe while powering your tablet.
So, should I keep my iPad plugged in all the time? You can keep your iPad plugged in all the time since the lithium-ion battery keeps it safe. Powering stops when the battery is at 100%, eliminating the chances of overcharging. Therefore, you can leave it plugged while running errands or let it charge overnight without worrying about damages to the iPad or the battery capacity. The only thing to watch out for is overheating, which is common when using the tablet while you have plugged it.
It is impressive how the iPad is one of the most energy-efficient devices whose battery lasts for over six hours after a full charge. As a cautious user, you would want to maintain this capability and do everything to keep the battery capacity intact. One common question from new owners is whether it is OK to leave their iPads charging all the time or overnight.
You can keep your iPad plugged in all the time since it has lithium-ion batteries that automatically stop charging when they reach complete charge. As soon as it hits 100%, the device shuts down the process, meaning that it cannot overcharge all while maintaining the battery’s capacity. However, there are chances of overheating if you use your iPad for heavy tasks like running demanding apps while it is still juicing up.
If you prefer leaving your devices charging overnight to wake up to total capacity, you will be relieved to know that your iPad’s battery will not overcharge. Apple has incorporated a unique technology for its devices, thanks to the lithium-ion battery, such that charging will only reach 100% and then the cycle stops immediately. You will then receive a fully-charged device regardless of how long you had plugged it, and your charger and battery will stay intact.
The main worry among new users is that constant plugging in may affect the iPad’s battery. Luckily, the tech that stops the charging process at total capacity also keeps it safe from overcharging.
Technically, the tablet powers from the charger and not the battery when at 100%, meaning that it no longer charges past the maximum. If you are not using your iPad, the battery will not drain, and you won’t deal with overheating issues.
Experts argue that leaving your iPad plugged in may help improve the battery life because it reduces the charging cycles. The Li-ion battery deteriorates when you often let it run below 20% and recharge it to 100%.
Your charge cycle counts increase with time and affects your battery performance if the number surpasses the limited cycle amounts. Therefore, since your tablet is not charging and discharging when constantly plugged in, it helps you minimize the cycles and improves the battery’s overall health.
Although plugging in helps keep the battery safe, remember that it is not advisable to use your iPad while it is charging. If you are operating power-hungry apps like games or broadcasting, you strain the processor as it overworks trying to run demanding tasks.
Since your phone is also charging simultaneously, your phone will likely overheat due to the pressure and affect the battery’s performance. It is best to avoid using your device if it still charges to prevent such problems.
Is It Bad to Leave Your iPad Charging All the Time?
Frequently powering your iPad ensures that it serves you better and longer whenever you want to use it. The newest tablet models come with fast charging adapters, able to fully power up your gadget within a short time. It may be tempting to leave your iPad charging most of the time if you don’t have a fast charger but want the battery to last.
It is not bad to leave your iPad charging all the time since the lithium-ion battery inside has safety features to protect it. You can keep it plugged for as long as you want and even charge it all night without worrying about it affecting the battery.
Once the Li-ion has fully powered, it stops accepting more charge, and the iPad starts consuming power straight from the charger. Apple has advanced the tech and introduced features like Optimized Charging to make sure that the battery doesn’t overcharge, keeping it safe regardless of how long it stays plugged.
You may have heard users being against excessive charging of iPads, causing concern about yours staying plugged for long. Fortunately, Apple has clarified that it is harmless to the system and the entire device thanks to the tech featured in the Li-ion battery that stops the process when it reaches 100%. After a full charge, your iPad can feed on the cable directly, leaving your battery untouched and reducing the chances of damage.
However, the wattage on your adapter affects whether the iPad will draw power from the cable or the battery. Higher wattage versions like the 20W, 18W or 12W can power up the tablet independently.
Conversely, if your adapter is only at 5W, the iPad may have to take up additional power from the battery to complement the cable’s capacity. This incredible technique goes a long way to save your device from charging related damages.
As much as powering your iPad for a long time doesn’t affect it, it is still essential to check your charging habits; otherwise, your batteries may fail in the long run. It is best to avoid using non-recommend adapters since they may be faulty, causing short-circuiting or fires in some cases.
Eventually, it will compromise the iPad’s Li-ion cell by shortening its life or damaging it. Therefore, before you leave the tablet plugged in, it is critical to ensure that you use Apple’s approved adapters.
Additionally, note that draining the iPad battery to 0 and charging it to 100% all the time can affect the device’s ability to hold a charge in the long run, and you will notice that it doesn’t have the same long battery life as when it was still new. Also, avoid charging the iPad under extreme temperatures because it can cause the battery to swell or even explode.
When Should You Unplug Your iPad Charger?
You have now established that it is OK to leave your iPad charging overnight or for as long as possible because it doesn’t negatively affect the battery capacity or device’s performance. However, there are some isolated cases where you should unplug your iPad; otherwise, you risk permanently damaging it.
You should unplug your iPad charger if you detect overheating after leaving it plugged for a long time. You can expect this if you are running heavy applications while charging; otherwise, there may be something wrong with the charging system. It would be best to detach it, close any running apps, and then shut down the tablet to see whether the system cools down.
Excessive heating can severely damage your iPad and affect its battery’s performance. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid leaving it plugged in for long if it tends to heat up.
The main reason why you should unplug your charger is if the process will harm your device. Although there is nothing wrong with leaving the iPad plugged for a long time, it may eventually take a toll on your device, especially if the system runs apps simultaneously. You may experience overheating while it charges because powering while operating may be demanding on the device, causing it to heat up.
Excessive heating is usually due to prolonged streaming of high-quality videos or running of power-intensive applications like the video editor or heavy games. It is also possible to strain your tablet by leaving several apps running at a go and opening several tabs in the browser. You can also expect overheating when exposing the device to prolonged strong sunlight. Any abnormal temperature rise should be alarming and calls for immediate attention.
The first step is to detach your iPad from the charger if you had it plugged in and close any running apps since they are responsible for overloading the device and depleting the battery. It would also be helpful to switch off the iPad to give it time to cool down.
If you have done all these but still detect heat when charging it, your device probably has an internal problem. You can either ask Apple or a professional to check whether there is component damage and the chances of fixing it.
Excessive heat can permanently ruin your iPad and battery, making it necessary to check the temperature levels frequently. It can cause charging to fail or slow down and cause issues with app performance. You will also notice that the camera’s flash will stop working, and the brightness will decrease.
Luckily, there are settings like the Optimized Charging that Apple uses to ensure safe powering. The charge will get to 80% and slow down before reaching 100%, reducing the chances of overheating.
How Do I Keep My iPad Battery Healthy, Should I Power off My iPad When Not in Use?
Sticking to practices that conserve your tablet’s battery will translate into a long service time, allowing you to utilize your iPad fully. If you take care of your Apple devices, they will serve you for years, and you won’t need to replace any components. Continue reading if you need to learn how to maintain your battery’s excellent performance.
You can keep your battery healthy by turning off your iPad when not using it and maintaining proper recharging methods. Powering it down when idle saves you from battery drainage due to background performances and reduces the charging cycles.
Secondly, it is vital to avoid draining the iPad to zero and recharging it to 100% since rechargeable Li-ion batteries thrive when charging between 0-20% to 80%. Otherwise, powering between these points doesn’t help the system much. Lastly, it is advisable to make frequent iPadOS updates and store the device properly away from extreme temperatures.
Shutting down your iPad is a great way to maintain a healthy battery, and many users switch off their devices when not in use. However, it may not be convenient if you frequently use your iPad and want it to stay on for easy access.
The good thing is that the charge draining from the iPad when it is on standby mode is quite negligible, barely noticeable. Besides, there are other more effective ways to enhance your battery’s performance.
For instance, you can start with your charging habits. Apple requires that the Li-ion batteries don’t frequently discharge to zero or power up to a hundred. If you do this daily, the battery may degenerate in barely a year. Therefore, to maintain the capacity, it is best to power it before it goes flat and let it charge past 80%.
Furthermore, your iPad’s battery lasts within a particular temperature range. Anything above the normal, like heat exceeding 35°, can affect its health and cause irreversible damage. The most comfortable temperature range is between 16°-22°, and it is advisable to avoid charging or storing it in places experiencing extreme conditions.
On the other hand, using the tablet in an icy environment may reduce the battery life. However, it is only temporary and eventually returns to normal when under conducive temperatures. Finally, if you want to store your iPad and want the cell to stay intact, experts advise that you power it up to 50%; you can shelve it for six months and still find it in mint condition.
Wrap Up
When you buy an iPad, you receive all the components in perfect condition, and many users strive to maintain this, particularly the battery. Therefore, it is best to keep the battery life and capacity intact. Luckily, there is nothing wrong with leaving your iPad to charge overnight or plugging it in whenever you are not using it.
Thanks to the lithium-ion battery and Apple’s advanced tech in the charging system, you don’t have to worry about overcharging or system damage. The process cuts when the charge gets to 100%, and the device doesn’t accept more power past this level. However, the iPad shouldn’t overheat, mainly when using the tablet while still in the socket.
