What is the last thing you do each night before your head hits the pillow? For many of us, the last act we do before drifting into dreamland is to plug in our smartphone. No one likes to wake up and find out that their smartphone battery has only 2% battery life remaining and they have to leave the house for work in a few minutes. This will quickly put a damper on your day.
Apple’s support page warns iPhone users not to charge their phones overnight under a pillow or blanket
Apple has issued a warning to iPhone users about charging an iPhone overnight right on a
support page titled “Important safety information for iPhone.” On the support page, Apple warns, “…don’t sleep on a device, power adapter, or wireless charger, or place them under a blanket, pillow, or your body, when it’s connected to a power source. Keep your iPhone, the power adapter, and any wireless charger in a well-ventilated area when in use or charging. Take special care if you have a physical condition that affects your ability to detect heat against the body.”
No one likes to spend $19 on a new iPhone charging brick
Another warning on the support page covers a different aspect of charging that has resulted in some serious consequences in the past. Many of us lose our power adapters and charging cables. The typical response is to go to the online Apple Store and wonder why you should pay $19 for a new charging brick and an additional $19 for a cable. After all, you just saw a no-name cable on sale at the 24-hour convenience store for $4.99. Since
Apple and many other manufacturers no longer include charging bricks in the box with their phones, new iPhone users might consider shelling out a little more dough for the official Apple accessory.
Never use your charging brick or cable if they exhibit the following signs
Unless low-priced third-party replacements carry the MFi (Made for iPhone) badge on the packaging, you need to avoid them. This is what Apple says about using third-party charging gear: “You can also charge iPhone with “Made for iPhone” or other third-party cables and power adapters that are compliant with USB 2.0 or later and with applicable country regulations and international and regional safety standards. Other adapters may not meet applicable safety standards, and charging with such adapters could pose a risk of death or injury.”
Apple adds, “Using damaged cables or chargers, or charging when moisture is present, can cause fire, electric shock, injury, or damage to iPhone or other property.” The tech giant wants you to look out for the following on your power adapter because any of these conditions are dangerous and should be considered a sign to buy a new charging brick:
- The power adapter plug or prongs are damaged.
- The charge cable becomes frayed or otherwise damaged.
- The power adapter is exposed to excessive moisture, or liquid is spilled into the power adapter.
- The power adapter has been dropped, and its enclosure is damaged.
To reiterate, while these warnings come from Apple, they apply to all smartphones regardless of the manufacturer. Yes, some of you no doubt see this as a ploy by Apple, a way to con you into reaching into your wallet to buy accessories from Apple or other companies. But as we’ve reported over the years, saving money to buy uncertified third-party charging accessories could end up costing you more than cash.
