Using the appropriate charger is crucial to ensuring the optimal charging speed for your Android phone battery. Unauthorized and generic chargers are often not designed following the stringent quality protocols of official chargers. Such chargers often cause the device to charge slowly. They can even cause severe damage to the phone's battery health and charging port. Thus, you should refrain from using such chargers. Here are a few guidelines that will help resolve the slow charging issue:
- Use Device-Specific Official Charger. Each phone model and brand features its specific power requirements. The official charger that comes with the phone is tailored to meet these precise requirements. Therefore, using the official charger for your phone ensures the fastest possible charging speed and contributes to the extended longevity of your battery. For example, when charging a Samsung phone, use Samsung's official accessories instead of a charger from another brand like OnePlus or Xiaomi.
- Use Fast Chargers for Devices Supporting Fast Charging. If your Android device supports fast charging, use a fast charger. When used with fast-charging supporting devices, regular chargers significantly slow down the charging speed. So, always pair your phone with the correct charger. This will allow your device to utilize the fast charging capabilities, leading to swift and efficient charging.
- Turn On Fast Charging in Device Settings. If your device supports fast charging, ensure you've enabled the feature. You can usually find this option in the device settings. Activating the fast charging feature will help you make the most out of your fast charging supporting power adapter, ensuring a much faster charging speed.
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Understanding the Charging Current
Understanding the charging current of your Android phone can help you identify if the problem of slow charging is due to a faulty USB cable. The Ampere app can help you track the current flowing into your phone, thus helping you to identify the issue.
- Download and Install the "Ampere" App from the Play Store. Downloading and installing the Ampere app from the Play Store is the first step in diagnosing the cause of slow charging. Simply open the Play Store on your device, search for the “Ampere” app, and install it on your phone.
- Check the Maximum Charge Rate with the Regular Charger. Once the Ampere app is installed, open it and follow the tutorial process. After completing the tutorial, plug your phone into your regular charger. Make sure to wait a few seconds for the app to measure the current accurately. Note the "Maximum charge rate" that appears on the app.
- Compare the Maximum Charge Rate with Another USB Cable. After noting the maximum charge rate with your regular charger, use a different USB cable to charge your phone. Again, measure the maximum charge rate with the Ampere app and note it. Suppose the maximum charging amperage with your old cable is considerably lower than the result with the new cable. In that case, it indicates that a faulty USB cable is responsible for the slow charging.
Other Tips and Tricks
- Avoid Charging from a Laptop or PC. Charging your phone through the USB ports of laptops or PCs tends to be much slower than charging through a wall charger. These ports are primarily designed for data transfers and do not provide the high amperage required for fast charging. For example, a computer's USB 2.0 port typically supplies a maximum of 0.5A, while a USB 3.0 port can provide up to 0.9A. On the other hand, a dedicated wall charger usually delivers about 2A, which is significantly higher. Hence, it's best to use a proper charger plugged into a wall socket for faster charging.
- Minimize Background Applications. Background applications running on your device often slow the charging process as they consume battery energy. Minimizing or closing these applications can lead to a significant improvement in charging speed. Here is how you can manage these applications:
- Close All Running Applications Manually. One step towards improving your phone's charging speed is manually closing applications not in use. To do this, go to the 'Settings' app and navigate to the 'Battery' section. Hit 'Battery usage' to identify apps using more battery than necessary. Depending on your requirements, You can 'Force stop' these individual apps or 'Uninstall' them altogether.
- Use the "Close All" Command to Terminate Background Running Applications. In addition to closing individual applications, Android phones also offer a 'Close all' command to terminate all background running applications simultaneously. This can be highly convenient and significantly boost your phone's charging speed.
- Use Battery Saving Mode. Almost every Android device comes with a built-in battery-saving mode. Enabling this mode drastically reduces the number of background apps and processes, which enhances the overall charging speed. Switching on is easy – typically, you'll find it in the 'Battery' menu within your phone's 'Settings' app.
- Check for Overheating Apps. Battery consumption isn't the only issue affecting your device's charging speed. Overheating can also slow down the process. Poorly optimized apps, including those running in the background, can create excessive heat. If this is the case, consider uninstalling the app causing the trouble. Alternatively, restrict apps from running in the background by accessing 'Battery' settings within the app's settings.
Conducive Charging Environment and Practices
Adopting conducive charging environments and practices can significantly improve the charging speed of your Android phone battery. Here are some practices:
- Avoid High Ambient Temperature while Charging. High ambient temperature slows down the charging speed because of the built-in thermal protection mechanism of the phone, meant to safeguard the battery from overheating. To ensure efficient charging, charge your phone in cooler places and avoid charging it in a high-temperature environment or under direct sunlight.
- Check the Physical Condition of the Charger and USB Cable for Damage. Physical damage to the charger or USB cable can obstruct the proper flow of current during charging, leading to slow charging. Therefore, regularly check your charging accessories for any visible signs of damage and promptly replace damaged or faulty equipment to ensure efficient charging.
Slow Charging Wireless Chargers
Wireless chargers often charge the device slower than wired chargers due to their inherent technology. So, a slower charging speed may be unavoidable if you use a wireless charger. However, always place your device correctly on the wireless charging pad to ensure maximum efficiency.
The efficiency of your power source or charging socket can also impact the charging speed. Faulty or old power sockets may not deliver the optimal power output, leading to slow charging. Often, changing your charging socket or using a different power source can help you identify if the problem lies within the charging accessories or the power source.
Powering off your Android phone during charging can lead to faster charging as it eliminates the screen's and other hardware's power consumption. Especially when using high-power consumption applications like playing games or watching videos, turning off your device while charging can significantly speed up the charging process.
