Apple has recently highlighted that charging your iPhone while you sleep—especially under a pillow or blanket—is something users should take seriously. The company’s safety guidance emphasizes avoiding placing a connected device on a soft surface, as trapping heat can create hazards such as burns or fire risks. This warning appears amid broader safety instructions aimed at keeping charging devices well-ventilated and on hard, flat surfaces.
Why Apple Is Warning Users
While your iPhone can technically stay plugged in overnight thanks to built-in software, Apple and safety experts urge caution for a few key reasons:
Overheating Risk
Phones generate heat while charging, and heat needs room to dissipate. Placing a charging iPhone under bedding, pillows, or against your body can trap that heat, which increases the chance of the device warming up too much. Overheating may harm internal components and, in extreme scenarios, pose a fire risk.
Safe Charging Practices
Apple’s guidance says:
- Keep the iPhone and charger in a well-ventilated area while charging.
- Avoid covering the device or sleeping on it when it’s connected to a power source.
- Use certified cables and adapters that meet safety standards—damaged or poor-quality chargers can contribute to hazards.
- Apple also warns against prolonged skin contact with charging cables and hardware, especially if users have reduced heat sensitivity.
Is Charging Overnight Actually Harmful?
Battery Health
According to Apple’s official battery guidance, modern iPhones automatically stop charging once the battery reaches full capacity and will only resume charging if the level dips below a certain threshold, such as 95%. This means that charging overnight isn’t inherently harmful to the battery itself. Many users safely leave their devices plugged in overnight without trouble.
Additionally, iPhones use features like Optimized Battery Charging which reduce the amount of time the battery stays at 100% by delaying the final portion of charging to just before you’re likely to wake up. This helps preserve long-term battery health.
Common Misconceptions
There’s a lot of myths around overnight charging, but here’s what reputable guidance generally agrees on:
- Overcharging isn’t possible with modern iPhone hardware because charging circuits cut off power at 100%.
- Heat is the actual risk, not the act of charging itself. Leaving a plugged-in phone under insulation (like bedding) is what raises safety concerns.
- Using low-quality chargers or damaged cables increases the risk of overheating, whereas certified Apple-approved accessories lower those hazards.
Practical Tips for Safer Charging
- Place your iPhone on a bedside table or flat surface instead of under a blanket.
- Unplug when fully charged if possible, especially in warm environments.
- Avoid mattress or pillow coverage over charging devices to allow airflow and heat dissipation.
- Use Apple-certified chargers rather than cheap third-party adapters that may not meet safety standards.
Final Notes
Charging your iPhone overnight isn’t inherently dangerous thanks to built-in protections. However, how you charge it matters. Keeping the device in an open, ventilated area and avoiding soft, heat-trapping surfaces makes your phone safer and reduces fire risk. Following Apple’s latest guidance helps protect both your device and your home environment.
