iPhone charges slowly! Here’s Why and the Fix

There are a few reasons why an iPhone may charge slowly. Some common causes include:

Age of the device.
Software issues.
Battery health.
Charging cable.
Power source.

Why Is My iPhone Charging Slowly?

There can be several reasons why an iPhone is charging slowly. Some common causes include:

Age of the device: As iPhones age, their batteries tend to degrade, which can lead to slower charging times.

Software issues: Sometimes, software bugs or updates can cause charging issues.

Battery health: If the battery health is low, it may charge slower.

Charging cable: Damaged or low-quality charging cables can also lead to slower charging times. If you want to change your Lightning cable, we strongly suggest one of our selected charging cables in online shop.

Power source: Charging an iPhone from a computer or other low-power source can also lead to slower charging times.

Background activity: Background activities such as downloading files, playing games or running other apps can slow down charging.

Battery Temperature: High or low temperature can also affect charging speed.

Battery Percentage: The more the battery is charged, the slower it charges.

In general, to fix slow charging, you can try the following:

Force Restart: Press and release the volume up button, press and release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo

Remove any case or protective cover from your phone while charging

Use Apple-branded or high-quality third-party charging cable.

Use a wall adapter with a higher power output.

Check the battery health and if it's low, consider getting it replaced.

Check for software updates and update your iPhone to the latest version.

Try to keep your device cool while charging, as high temperatures can slow down charging.

Reduce background activity while charging

Charge your device when the battery is low.

Clean Out Your iPhone's Charging Port

Cleaning out the charging port of an iPhone is an easy process that can help improve charging speeds. Here are some steps you can take:

Turn off your iPhone and unplug the charging cable.
Use a toothpick or a sim card ejector tool to gently remove any debris or dust that may have accumulated in the charging port. Be careful not to insert anything too deep into the port.
Use a can of compressed air to blow out any remaining debris.
Once you've finished cleaning the charging port, plug your iPhone back in and test to see if charging speeds have improved.
Repeat the process if necessary.

It's also important to note that if you find that your charging port is clogged with debris and this process does not help, it could be an indication of a hardware issue and you should consider contacting Apple support or a professional technician.

You can also use a small brush or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently clean the charging port, but make sure the device is turned off, and dry it completely before plugging in the charger.

Examine Your iPhone's Charging Cable

Examining your iPhone's charging cable is another step you can take to troubleshoot slow charging issues. Here are some things to look for:

Check the cable for any physical damage, such as frayed or bent wires, or a loose connection to the plug.

Make sure the cable is properly plugged into both your iPhone and the power source.

Try a different charging cable, preferably an Apple-branded cable or a high-quality third-party cable, to see if that improves charging speeds.

Check the port on your iPhone where the cable plugs in for any damage, debris or dust that can be cleaned up.

Try a different power source to eliminate the possibility of a problem with the power outlet.

If you find that your charging cable is damaged, or your charging port is damaged, it may need to be replaced. In that case, you should contact Apple support or a professional technician.

It's also important to note that using non-certified cable can not only slow down the charging speed but also be dangerous for your device.

Try A Few Different Chargers

Trying a few different chargers can also help troubleshoot slow charging issues on an iPhone. Here are a few things to consider:

Try using a different wall adapter with a higher power output. The iPhone supports up to 12W of power, so using an adapter that supports that can help charge your device faster.

Try charging your iPhone with a different USB cable and a different power source, such as a computer or a portable battery pack, to see if that improves charging speeds.

Try using a wireless charger if your device supports it.

If possible, try using an Apple-branded charger or a high-quality third-party charger, as these are less likely to have compatibility issues.

If you are using a third-party charger, ensure that it is certified and meets the safety standards.

Try using a different outlet, in case there is a problem with the outlet you were using.

If you find that trying different chargers does not improve charging speeds, it may be an indication of a hardware issue and you should consider contacting Apple support or a professional technician for further assistance.

Troubleshooting Software Problems

Software problems can also cause slow charging issues on an iPhone. Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot software problems:

Force Restart: Press and release the volume up button, press and release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

Check for software updates and update your iPhone to the latest version.

Check for any third-party apps that may be causing issues and delete or update them.

Reset all settings: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will erase all your settings, but it won't delete any of your data.

Reset your iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This will erase everything on your iPhone, but it may fix any software issues that are causing slow charging.

Restore your iPhone: Connect your iPhone to your computer, open iTunes, and click the Restore iPhone button. This will erase everything on your iPhone and install the latest version of iOS.

It's also important to note that if none of the above steps help, it may be an indication of a hardware issue and you should consider contacting Apple support or a professional technician for further assistance.

Update Your iPhone

Updating your iPhone to the latest version of iOS can help fix slow charging issues and improve the overall performance of your device. Here's how to update your iPhone:

Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network and make sure your device has at least 50% battery charge.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If an update is available, tap on Download and Install.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.

It's important to note that updating your iPhone can take some time, and you won't be able to use your device during the update process. Also, before updating, it is recommended to backup your device to avoid any data loss

Also, if your iPhone is still not updated, you can try to update it via iTunes by connecting your device to your computer and following the instructions on iTunes.

Updating your iPhone to the latest version of iOS can fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features. However, if the update doesn't fix the slow charging issue, it may be an indication of a hardware issue and you should consider contacting Apple support or a professional technician for further assistance.

DFU Restore Your iPhone

A DFU (Device Firmware Update) restore is a more advanced troubleshooting step that can help fix slow charging issues on an iPhone. This process will erase everything on your iPhone and install the latest version of iOS, but it is a more thorough restore than a regular restore, and it can help fix deeper software issues.

Here are the steps to perform a DFU restore on your iPhone:

Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
Turn off your iPhone and then hold down the Power button and Home button at the same time.
Release the Power button after 8 seconds, but continue holding the Home button until iTunes recognizes your device in recovery mode.
iTunes will show a message saying that it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode, and you will need to click on Restore iPhone.
Wait for the restore process to complete, which can take some time.

It's important to note that a DFU restore will erase everything on your iPhone, so you should make sure to backup your device before starting the process. Also, this process requires more technical skills than a regular restore, so it's recommended to seek professional help if you are not comfortable with the process.

A DFU restore is a more advanced troubleshooting step, and it can help fix deeper software issues. However, if the DFU restore doesn't fix the slow charging issue, it may be an indication of a hardware issue and you should consider contacting Apple support or a professional technician for further assistance.