If your phone is taking forever to charge or barely hitting 50 percent after an hour plugged in you’re not alone Millions of users face slow charging issues every day and while faulty cables or old batteries are often blamed there’s one hidden setting that could be the real problem
It’s called Battery Optimization Mode, and it might be hurting more than helping
On both Android and iPhone devices battery optimization features are designed to protect long-term battery health by slowing down fast charging when your phone thinks it's getting “too hot” or “too full” But the issue is this setting often kicks in too early especially when you’re trying to charge quickly during the day
How to Fix It on Android
Step 1 Open Settings
Step 2 Go to Battery or Battery & Device Care
Step 3 Tap on More Battery Settings or Charging Settings
Step 4 Look for an option called Adaptive Battery or Optimized Charging
Step 5 Turn it Off temporarily when you need fast charging
Phones like Samsung OnePlus and Pixel have different labels for this setting but it’s usually found under advanced battery options Disabling it won’t damage your battery if you only do it occasionally when you need full speed charging
How to Fix It on iPhone
Step 1 Open Settings
Step 2 Tap on Battery
Step 3 Select Battery Health & Charging
Step 4 Turn Off Optimized Battery Charging
iOS learns from your habits and slows charging once your battery hits 80 percent especially at night Disabling this gives you full speed charging when you need it most like during travel or in emergencies
Bonus Tip Use the Right Charger and Cable
Always use a certified fast charger that matches your phone’s wattage capabilities Some newer phones support 30W 45W or even 80W charging but only with compatible chargers A weak 5W or 10W charger will never get the job done even with the right settings
Final Thoughts
Charging slow doesn’t always mean your battery is dying Often it’s just your phone trying to be “smart” and overprotective Turning off optimization temporarily can give you that quick boost when you need it Just remember to turn it back on if you charge overnight regularly