The most crucial part of any mobile phone is the battery. But with time, those tiny digits on the top of the screen might become… well, a little faulty. Maybe the phone dies at 15%, or the charge suddenly drops from 60% to 30% in a matter of a few minutes.
This can happen weather the device is an IPhone or, an Android or even a Google Pixel. Such things does not mean your phone is irreparably broken. Most of the time, it’s the software that is either malfunctioning or misinterpreting how much charge is actually in the device, and that is where the word calibration comes in.
Calibrating does not mean the battery has magically gained time, or it has magically corrected the ordinary wear. Instead it “resets” the phone “calibrations” in a manner that sets the measurements of the phone’s power to reality, especially for Apple users. It is a quick easy fix to the battery meter that has completely lost contact with reality.
Step by step: how to do a battery calibration
Good news come is that no special tools are required, only a bit of patience. Here’s a method that works for both iPhones and Androids:
- Charge to 100% – Plugin your device, allow it to charge to 100%, and keep it connected for another 20 to 30 minutes. Charge it while the device is turned off, if possible.
- Run it Down – Use the device until it shuts down. Do not plug it in for charging when prompted with the low battery warning. Allow the device to die completely.
- Let it Rest – For 4 to 8 hours, the device must be completely off as it helps the device reset its internal sensors.
- Charge Back To 100% In One Go – Charge the device until it crosses the 100% mark. Avoid all interruptions during the charging. Once the device reaches the 100% mark, leave it for a little longer.
Remove the device from charge and you should be able to see the difference. More accurate battery percentages will mean that your device will no longer shutdown unexpectedly, and you will be able to rely on the phone’s battery estimate.
When (and when not) to calibrate
There’s a flip side to every coin, you can’t carry out this activity regularly. Deep discharges, when performed, may hinder your mobile device’s battery.
So, is there a right time to do this? Yes, when your mobile device turns off, yet it seems to have charge left. Yes, when your device’s charge level jumps around. Yes, when your device goes unused for a long time, for instance, a few weeks or months.
Some companies like Apple, recommend, or at least, used to recommend calibration on a monthly basis. Others suggest every few months, or only when you observe significant issues. As a rule, it is best to follow a calibration schedule as suggested. Also; bear in mind, if your mobile device’s battery’s health is below 80% (the common condition of iPhones after 500 charge cycles)—calibration is useless. What is left is replacement.
What calibration can (and can’t) do
Why would anyone bother to go through the process of calibrating devices in the first place? Well, there is the element of improvement, or more specifically, improving the accuracy of the devices in question.
In terms of necessity, improving the accuracy of devices makes it easier to plan one’s day in consideration of avoiding an unexpected blackout, and also helps using the battery charge more effectively.
Calibration doesn’t extend the lifespan of your battery or even your screen time, but it helps sheds more light on the status of your battery. And on some days, that little predictability is extremely useful.