Optimized Battery Charging is a new feature on Apple’s iPhone and Mac devices which aims to improve the longevity and health of their batteries. This feature leverages machine learning to learn the user’s charging habits and patterns to ensure the device’s battery stays healthy for as long as possible.

First introduced in iOS 13 and macOS Catalina in 2019, Optimized Battery Charging functions by monitoring battery usage and charging patterns. The system utilizes machine learning algorithms to study the user’s device charging activities, such as when they usually charge their device and for how long they leave it charging. Then, the system uses this data to adjust the charging patterns to limit prolonged times attached to the charger.

The idea behind this feature is to prevent the battery from overcharging and degrading, which can shorten the battery’s lifespan. Over time, charging your device’s battery to 100% frequently contributes to the battery losing its ability to hold a full charge. This effect causes the battery to deplete its charge much faster than it should, leading to a shorter lifespan and degraded battery health.

With Optimized Battery Charging, the system learns the user’s charging habits and those of the apps they use during different times of day. With this information, it knows how long the battery will remain on until the user requires it. The system will then adjust charging patterns to ensure the device only charges to 100% when the user needs to use it.

For instance, if a user has a routine of charging their iPhone every night before bedtime and unplugging it after a few hours, the system learns this pattern and will ensure the battery reaches 80% or less before bedtime, then slowly charges up to 100% before the user wakes up, so the battery isn’t left at 100% for an extended period, which could reduce the battery’s capacity over a period.

Since Optimized Battery Charging aims to reduce the frequency of charging the device to 100%, it’s an effective way to prolong the battery’s health and lifespan. With this feature, your device will only charge to 100% when necessary, which can increase battery life by preventing the battery from overcharging throughout the day.