iPhone and iPod touch: Charging the battery

Summary

iPhone and iPod touch have an internal rechargeable battery. Learn how to charge the battery.

Products Affected

iPhone, iPod touch

Charging the battery

To charge the battery, choose one of the options below:

  • For the quickest charge, connect the device to a power outlet using the USB cable that came with the device and an Apple USB power adapter.
  • Connect the device directly to a USB port on your computer (not an external keyboard) using the USB cable that came with the device. Your computer must be turned on and not in sleep or standby mode; otherwise, the battery may drain instead of charge.
    • For the quickest charge while connected to a computer, remove all USB devices except the keyboard and mouse.
    • If using a portable computer, make sure it is plugged in to power and that the display (or lid) is open. If the display is closed, the computer may go into standby, sleep, or hibernation mode and the device may not charge.
  • Connect the device to an externally-powered USB hub.
    • For the quickest charge, disconnect other USB devices.

If you charge the battery while syncing or using the device, it might take longer to charge.

Charging with a FireWire-based power source is not supported, except on original iPhone and iPod touch (1st generation). If the device is connected to a FireWire-based charger or accessory, this alert screen will appear:

Charging image

Charging is not supported with this accessory.

Note: If this alert appears and nothing is connected to the dock connector, verify that the dock connector is free of debris.

Charging information for iPhone models sold in China

iPhone models sold in China can charge while turned off. When iPhone is off and connected to a charger or computer, a lightning-bolt icon appears on the display to indicate charging:

Charging image

Battery icons

The battery indicator icon in the upper-right corner of the screen shows battery charging status and approximately how much charge is left in the battery. When plugged in to power, these icons will appear.

If the battery charge is very low, the device may display one of the following images indicating that the battery needs to charge for up to ten minutes before you can use it. If the battery is extremely low on power, the display may be blank for up to two minutes before one of the low-battery images appears.

Battery low Plug in, battery low
Charging Connect to power to charge

Note: If you don't see the white charging or plug icons, your iPhone or iPod touch may be connected to a FireWire charging device. Connect the iPhone or iPod touch to a compatible USB charging device.

About battery life and the battery

Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. For more information, go to: www.apple.com/batteries/iphone.html or www.apple.com/batteries/ipods.html.

For information on how long the battery is expected to last between charges, see the iPhone or iPod touch technical specifications.

Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced.

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