Charging your phone is a necessary ritual for most of us. Whether it’s plugging it in before bed, at work, or while you’re out and about, it’s a regular part of life. But is it bad to use your phone while it’s charging? Many people have heard horror stories of phones exploding or catching fire, but is there any truth to them? The answer is complicated and depends on the type of charger you use and the quality of your device. In this article, we will examine the pros and cons of using your phone while it’s charging, so you can make an informed decision. We’ll look at the potential dangers of using your phone while it’s charging, as well as the advantages it can bring. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the risks and benefits so you can make the best decision for yourself and your device.
Is It Bad To Use Phone While Charging?
Yes, it is bad to use your phone while charging. It can potentially damage your battery, overheat your device, and even cause a fire. When you use your phone while it’s charging, the battery is being used while it’s also trying to charge. This puts strain on the battery and can cause it to overheat. If the battery overheats, it can cause the battery to degrade faster than normal or even damage it beyond repair.
Potential Dangers Of Charging And Using Your Phone
- Overheating – If your phone overheats while charging, it can lead to a fire. The best way to prevent overheating is to use a charger with the correct amperage for your phone. You can measure the amperage of your charger by checking the label on the device. If your charger isn’t the recommended amperage, it can overheat your phone, leading to a fire. To determine if your charger is the right amperage, you can check the charger’s label or plug in the charger’s model number into CNET’s amperage calculator.
- Shorter Lifespan – The amount of voltage a charger outputs will affect how much electricity it takes to charge your phone. If you use a charger that’s too powerful for your phone, it can quickly break down your phone’s battery, shortening its lifespan.
- Voltage Fluctuation – Your charger should maintain the same amount of voltage throughout the charging process. If it fluctuates, it can cause a spark that can damage your phone and lead to a fire. To determine if your charger is safe, you can check UL’s safety database.
Common Myths About Charging And Using Your Phone
- Using Your Phone While It’s Charging Can Damage Your Battery – While some types of chargers can damage your battery, the most common types of chargers don’t cause any damage if you use your phone while they’re plugged in.
- Charging Your Phone While It’s Plugged In Will Drain Its Battery – If you plug your phone in while it’s fully charged, it won’t cause any damage. In fact, it can charge your phone’s battery a bit when plugged in to act as a trickle charger.
- Using Your Phone While It’s Plugged In Can Charge It Faster – This can actually cause damage to your battery. – You Should Unplug Your Charger When Your Phone Is Fully Charged
- While this is a good practice if you’re using a charger with a low amperage, it’s not necessary if you’re using a high-amperage charger.
- You Should Never Use a Third-Party Charger – While third-party chargers can be dangerous, many reputable brands make safe chargers.
- We’ve all seen the headlines: “iPhone explodes while charging,” “Samsung phone catches fire,” and “Woman’s phone bill was $90k because of ‘ghost charging’.” These stories are scary, and they’ve led many people to wonder if they should unplug their phone while it charges.
- You certainly don’t want to end up with a bill as high as $90,000, or have your phone burst into flames, but are these stories real? The short answer is yes, but there are a few caveats. Some people have reported that their phone burst into flame, but it’s not because the phone was charging. Instead, it was because the phone was old, broken, or had some kind of defect.
- Even if your phone is brand new and working properly, there is still some risk that it could burst into flames. There have also been some cases of people’s phones catching fire while charging, but this is rare.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Your Phone While It’s Charging?
- The cons of using your phone while it’s charging may seem pretty scary, but it’s important to look at the benefits too. There are two main benefits of using your phone while it’s charging:
- You can use your phone while charging in less time. If you’re charging your phone while you use it, you can use it for less time. This is helpful if you only have a couple of hours to charge your phone.
- You can get more done while your phone is charging. If you have a few tasks that can be done while your phone is charging, you can get more done in the same amount of time. For example, you can listen to music, check social media, or use your phone to make calls.
What Types Of Chargers Are Safe To Use?
- There are many types of chargers on the market, but some are more dangerous than others. For example, don’t use an extension cord to charge your phone. While this may seem like an easy way to charge your phone while you’re in bed, it can be dangerous.
- Extension cords are not designed for high-powered devices like smartphones. They don’t have the same power rating, so they can’t handle the same amount of electricity. When your charger isn’t rated high enough to handle the amount of electricity your phone needs, it can overheat and potentially catch fire.
- Another type of charger to stay away from is a cheap, knockoff charger. Always buy chargers from reputable companies. Cheap chargers can also overheat and catch fire, but they can also damage your phone.
How Can You Protect Your Phone While It’s Charging?
- If you still want to use your phone while it charges, here are some things you can do to stay safe. Only use a reputable brand of charger. Stay away from knockoff chargers, no matter how cheap they are.
- If you’re going to use your phone while it charges, try to use a charger that’s designed for quick charging.
- A good rule of thumb is to only use the charger that came with your phone. Finally, make sure your phone is in a safe place while it charges. Avoid charging your phone in bed, as a pillow can easily put it at risk for overheating.
Tips For Charging And Using Your Phone Safely
- Use the Correct Amperage – The first thing to do before charging your phone is to make sure you’re using the correct amperage.
- Avoid Third-Party Chargers – If you do decide to use a third-party charger, make sure it’s UL-certified. Third-party chargers that don’t meet safety standards can be dangerous and cause damage to your phone.
- Keep Your Charger Out of The Wet – If you accidentally spill a drink or drop your phone in water, don’t risk using your charger. You can dry it off with a paper towel, but don’t plug it in until it’s completely dry.
- Don’t Leave Your Phone Plugged In Too Long – If you’re going to leave your phone plugged in, don’t leave it plugged in for too long. Otherwise, your charger could be overcharging your phone, and this can damage your battery.
- Use UL-Certified Chargers – UL-certified chargers are safe and have passed rigorous tests.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever wondered if it’s bad to use your phone while it charges, the answer is yes, but not for the reasons you might think. There are a few dangers associated with using your phone while it charges, including overheating and damaging your device. However, with a few precautions, you can safely use your phone while it charges without any issues.