Apple is Warning Against Charging Your iPhone While You Sleep
A recent update on Apple’s support page has raised a crucial red flag regarding a seemingly innocuous daily routine – charging your iPhone while you sleep, especially if it rests on your bed. Apple’s primary goal with this advisory is to educate users about maintaining safe charging practices for their iPhones. While these steps may appear minor, they play a pivotal role in preventing accidents that can stem from this everyday task.
Apple iPhone Advisory: A Call for Safer Charging Habits
Apple’s new guidelines are targeted primarily at individuals who’ve developed the habit of dozing off while their iPhones are plugged in. Both tech experts and firefighters have underlined the potentially dire consequences of this habit, which might seem harmless but can lead to disastrous outcomes, even fires.
Apple emphatically cautions against charging electronic devices in environments that hinder heat dissipation. Moreover, the company explicitly advises against placing a charging iPhone close to your skin, pillow, or blanket. The company’s directive reads, “For example, don’t sleep on a device, power adapter, or wireless charger, or place them under a blanket, pillow, or under your body when connected to a power source.”
The message is clear: opt for well-ventilated spaces for device charging. The best practice is to place your iPhone on a surface like a table, which facilitates efficient heat dissipation during the charging process.
Awareness Around Risky Charging Habits
Firefighters and tech experts have joined hands to initiate awareness campaigns against this perilous practice. They emphasize several compelling reasons why charging your smartphone in a poorly-ventilated area while asleep is a grave error:
- Lack of Sensory Perception While Asleep: When you’re asleep, your sense of smell is dormant, rendering you unable to detect the onset of a fire.
- Swift Smoke Inhalation: Smoke can render you unconscious in just three breaths, leaving you vulnerable during a fire.
- Subpar Chargers: Low-quality or faulty chargers pose fire hazards, even those that appear authentic.
Overnight Charging: Safe, With Precautions
Addressing the age-old query about the safety of overnight charging, Apple doesn’t outright oppose it. According to Apple’s support page, as long as you charge your iPhone in a well-ventilated space, it should be safe. In essence, leaving your device to charge overnight isn’t inherently wrong, provided you adhere to this crucial condition.
However, concerns about overnight charging are primarily linked to the stress it places on the device’s battery. To address this issue, manufacturers have introduced software solutions. For example, Apple introduced “optimized battery charging” in iOS 13, which slows down the charging process when the battery hits 80% capacity. This strategy aims to alleviate battery strain during extended charging periods.
If you’ve grown accustomed to charging your iPhone overnight, it’s prudent to reconsider this practice. Alternatively, consider disconnecting your smartphone’s charger when you wake up during the night to prevent unnecessary strain on the battery.
The Hazards of Charging Your iPhone While You Sleep
Several potential dangers lurk when you charge your iPhone while sleeping, including:
- Overheating: Charging generates heat, and if the phone isn’t well-ventilated, it can overheat, damaging the battery and possibly causing a fire.
- Electric Shock: Improper wiring or damaged charging ports pose a risk of electric shock, especially if the phone is near your body.
- Fire: Overheating or a short circuit can lead to fire. Never charge the phone under bedding or a pillow, and use genuine Apple chargers.
- Phone Damage: The phone can be damaged if it falls while charging, particularly if it’s not in a secure location.
- Sleep Disruption: The phone’s screen light can disrupt sleep, making it harder to fall and stay asleep.
Charging Safely: Tips and Precautions
Here are some tips for safe charging your iPhone:
- Use a genuine Apple or Apple-certified charger.
- Charge in a well-ventilated area.
- Don’t cover the phone during charging.
- Keep the phone away from your body and liquids.
- Regularly inspect the charger and phone for damage.
Pokdepinion: while Apple’s warnings highlight the risks of charging your iPhone while sleeping, overnight charging is safe if proper ventilation is maintained. By adhering to these guidelines, you can protect your device and ensure a peaceful charging experience. I’ve been doing it for years and it’s still fine, though mine is MagSafe charging.
