The hidden dangers of charging your phone overnight

Millions of Spaniards have made it a habit to leave their phones plugged in while they sleep. It's a convenient practice, but experts warn that this daily routine may come at a cost to both your device's battery life and your restful slumber.

Charging habits could be shortening your phone's lifespan

Leaving your phone plugged in all night may guarantee a full charge in the morning, but it also means your battery is constantly being drained and recharged. This repeated 'micro-cycling' can slowly erode the battery's overall capacity over time. 'It's not the kilometer count that matters,' says a study analyzing the batteries of 8,000 electric cars, 'it's the constant charge and discharge cycles.'

While your modern smartphone's lithium-ion battery and charging circuitry do include safeguards to prevent overheating or overcharging, experts still recommend avoiding prolonged periods at 100% charge. The ideal range is between 20% and 80%. Charging in a well-ventilated area, away from heat sources like pillows or clothing, can also help extend battery life.

Most smartphones will automatically optimize their charging to reach 100% just before your set wake time. However, if you're using a smart charger or have enabled custom charging settings, you may want to adjust these to suit your needs and habits.