With iOS 18, Apple introduced a clever new way to determine if your iPhone’s charging settings aren’t running at the optimal speed. This new feature appears directly in Settings, making it easy to find if you’re not getting the fastest charge possible. When your iPhone detects you’re using a “slow” charger, you’ll see a “Slow Charger” message in the Battery section. The load time will also be displayed as an orange bar. This visual indicator appears in both the 24-hour and 10-day battery usage views.
What causes a “slow” charger?
- Wired chargers with 7.5W or less power
- Standard Qi1 wireless chargers (less than 10W)
- USB ports in cars or hubs
- Chargers where multiple connected devices share power
Common causes of slow charging
There are several situations where your iPhone may charge slowly. For example, a fake charger may be the cause. Some genuine third-party wireless chargers also claim to be MagSafe compatible, but only offer standard Qi charging speeds.
If you leave an accessory plugged in, such as headphones, while wirelessly charging, your device’s power will automatically be limited to 7.5W to comply with safety standards. Running demanding apps, playing graphics-intensive games, or streaming video at high brightness while charging can slow down your charging speed as your iPhone manages power and heat. Finally, keep in mind that charging in a warm environment can temporarily stop your iPhone from charging until it cools down.
Faster charging speeds
To get the fastest possible charging speeds, you’ll need to use a USB-C Power Delivery charger and the appropriate cable (USB-C for iPhone 15 and later, USB-C to Lightning for earlier models). Alternatively, you can choose Apple’s MagSafe charger or a Qi2 certified wireless charger, both of which can charge significantly faster than a standard Qi charger.
