Is overnight phone charging safe? Learn five common smartphone charging mistakes that can overheat your device, reduce battery life and increase safety risks.
We’ve all been hearing smartphone batteries getting exploded every now and then. Charging safely is important and a recent battery catching fire from someone’s Google Pixel 6a proves it still rings true.
Faulty charging bricks aside, irresponsible charging habits and damaged batteries can contribute to overheating as well.
“It’s important to note that phones these days are designed not to overcharge,” AppleCare experts told CNBC. “Most phones are engineered with a feature that stops the battery from charging past 100 percent.”
That being said, your charging habits do factor into the overall safety and health of your battery and device.
Avoid these five charging mistakes.
Place your phone directly on a table or flat surface while it charges. Don’t put your phone on your bed, pillow, or blanket. Because they’re made of fabric these materials insulate heat and don’t allow your phone room to cool properly. Continuously charging your phone in this manner can damage your phone’s battery health overtime and might pose safety risks.
Buy from reputable brands when purchasing phone chargers. Not all chargers are designed to the same quality standard. Cheap or fake chargers can increase your phone’s susceptibility to heat and damage your battery by providing inconsistent voltage.
Keep your phone away from you when you sleep, and don’t place it under your pillow while charging. We know, we know… A majority of you charge next to your pillows at night. Not only does this cause your phone to overheat (as stated above) but what happens if you or your charger accrues a fault while you sleep
Don’t Ignore Warning Signs.Your phone isn’t supposed to smell like burning food when charging. If your battery begins to swell, your phone becomes too hot while charging, or if you smell a burning smell from your device…. Stop. Using the Phone. Don’t continue to charge your phone if the battery has swollen or your device is damaged in any way. Take your device to an authorised service center and have it checked before you charge again.
Leaving a Damaged Phone Plugged In.While overnight charging is generally safe on a healthy device, charging a phone with a cracked body, damaged charging port or worn-out battery is not recommended. Older batteries generate more heat and may require replacement.
Safe Phone Charging Tips
| Do | Avoid |
| Use the original or certified charger | Cheap, counterfeit chargers |
| Charge on a hard surface | Charging on beds or pillows |
| Keep the phone in a ventilated area | Covering the phone while charging |
| Replace damaged batteries promptly | Ignoring swelling or overheating |
| Disconnect faulty accessories | Using damaged charging cables |
Smartphone battery incidents are uncommon, but good charging habits can significantly reduce the risk of overheating and extend your phone’s battery life. A few simple precautions today can help keep both your device and your home safer in the long run.
