On the eve of the New Year, many people will probably want to buy a new iPhone. Choosing the right model is half the battle, and it’s much more important to decide what to do with your old iPhone. Most immediately sell it on the Internet to recapture some of the funds for buying a new one. But a few keep it as a keepsake or for a collection, so that in 10 years ‘ time they can touch the history of Apple. However, turning off your smartphone and just putting it in a box is not the most reliable way. We tell you how to properly store an old iPhone so that nothing happens to it.
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Can I keep my iPhone empty
The first thing you need to do before sending your iPhone for storage is to charge the battery. Never leave the device with a low battery if you want it to turn on later. The minimum charge of the iPhone should be at least 50%, but not more than 80% — this level is optimal for all devices with a battery. Please note that a new smartphone or powerbank “out of the box” always remains charged when turned on.
Why is this necessary? First of all, in order to extend the battery life. You probably know that even when turned off, it gives out a certain voltage, even if it is lower than that of a working iPhone. If it drops below 3V, the power controller will not fix it. Therefore, you will not be able to turn on a dead iPhone.
But even in this state, the old iPhone sometimes needs to be charged. The fact is that even when turned off, the battery consumes a little energy: part is spent on maintaining current in the electrical circuit, and the other — on the operation of smartphone functions. And this applies to all devices with batteries.
Do I need to charge an iPhone that I don’t use
Not so long ago, in a social network, I came across a curious video: an iPhone SE of the 2nd generation was brought to the service center, which was never activated. The smartphone was brand new and had been in a sealed box for several years. Everything would be fine, but the iPhone did not turn on after a long period of non-use. And this is absolutely normal.
The fact is that deep discharge harms the battery. As mentioned above, it was charged from the factory, but it lay unopened for so long that the battery actually went “into negative territory”, having discharged to absolute zero. The actual level of battery charge is very different from the actual one, so a discharged iPhone has a certain amount of energy to maintain its performance. In this case, it was also used up.
If your iPhone doesn’t turn on after it’s fully discharged, leave it on charge for an hour or two, even if it doesn’t show signs of life. If this does not help, you will have to change the battery. But problems are best avoided, so sometimes you need to charge an old unused iPhone. However, this does not apply to cases where the battery is swollen — it needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
How to Extend your iPhone’s battery life
To extend the battery life of an old iPhone, you need to charge it properly. The battery is damaged not only by full discharge, but also by 100% charge. Different sources offer their own options, but it is most practical to charge it to 50-70% before a long downtime. Depending on the storage conditions and battery status, when the iPhone is turned off, it drains 5-15% per month. So, set a reminder in advance to charge your old phone at least once every 30-45 days.
How to keep your iPhone turned off
If you have already reset your phone to factory settings or simply put it away, make sure to decide where to store your unused iPhone. The option with a desk drawer may not be suitable — please note the following recommendations from Apple.
- Store your iPhone in a temperature range of -20 to 45 degrees Celsius. It is most reliable to choose the standard room temperature of +20 degrees.
- Do not expose your smartphone to sudden temperature fluctuations. For example, when you store it in a room with an open window or there, put a heater nearby.
- Try to avoid high humidity for an old iPhone, as it can damage its parts, including the battery.
- Do not store it in a place where it may be damaged. For example, in a table or under a stack of books.
How to store an unused iPhone? The answer is simple — in a complete box. This is the best way to avoid damage, as it has a strong cardboard and various inserts with seals that protect the smartphone from impacts. As an additional protection, you can use inflated packaging for the box in which sellers from marketplaces send orders.
