Myth or Fact: Is It Dangerous to Charge Your Phone in Bed Overnight?
Charging overnight is fine. Charging under your pillow is not. Here is what Apple's own safety guide says, and how to set up a safer bedside charger.
By Marcus ChenSenior Technology Editor
It's the last thing many of us do at night: plug in the phone and leave it on the duvet or under the pillow, within reach for the morning alarm. Every so often a warning goes viral: never charge your phone in bed.
So the fix isn't to change when you charge. It's to change where.
What the manufacturer says
Apple's safety information for iPhone is direct. In its section on heat exposure, it advises users not to sleep on a device or a power adapter, and not to put them under a blanket, a pillow or their body while connected to a power source. It also says to keep iPhone and its power adapter in a well-ventilated area when in use or charging, and warns that people with physical conditions that affect their ability to detect heat against the body should take particular care (Apple).
The reason is simple. A phone and its charger produce heat while charging. On a hard bedside table that heat escapes into the room. Under a pillow or tangled in bedding it builds up. Apple notes that long contact with warm surfaces can cause discomfort or injury, and heat is also bad for battery health.
What about leaving it plugged in all night?
That part is largely a myth. Phones control their own charging, and current models include features that hold the battery below full charge for much of the night and finish shortly before you usually wake up. On iPhone this is called Optimized Battery Charging, and Android phones offer similar options. Turning it on is good for long-term battery health.
When to worry
- The phone or charger feels hot, not just warm.
- The battery looks swollen, or the screen or back is lifting.
- The cable is frayed or the plug is damaged.
- You're using a cheap, uncertified charger.
If you see any of these, unplug the phone, stop using that charger and have the device checked.
A safer bedside setup
- Charge on a nightstand or another hard surface, not on the mattress.
- Use the charger that came with the phone, or a certified one from a reputable brand.
- Keep the phone and charger clear of pillows, books and clothes.
- If the phone is your alarm, keep the nightstand within arm's reach rather than the phone under your head.
- Switch on the battery-saving charging option in your phone's settings.
The bottom line
A phone charging on a bedside table overnight is normal use. A phone charging under your pillow is exactly what the manufacturer tells you not to do.
Sources
- Apple, Important safety information for iPhone (iPhone User Guide)
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