Do You See the ‘Charging on Hold’ Notification on Your iPhone? Here’s What It Means
Reading Time: 4 minutes If you’ve ever noticed a message on your iPhone’s lock screen saying, “Charging on Hold. Charging will resume when iPhone returns to normal temperature,” you might wonder what it means and what you should do. I sometimes see this notification when I’m driving and charging my iPhone in the car. This message appears when the temperature around the iPhone becomes too high or low. In this article, I’ll explain what this notification means and how you can manage it.
When I drive long distances, I connect my iPhone to use CarPlay, which also starts charging the device. However, if the car becomes too hot, a ‘Charging on Hold’ notification might appear. In such cases, I usually move my phone to a shaded spot and allow it to cool down so charging can resume. Despite the charging pause, the iPhone continues to function normally, and CarPlay operates as expected without any issues.
What is the ‘Charging on Hold’ Notification?
Introduced with iOS 16, the ‘Charging on Hold’ notification is designed to protect your iPhone’s battery from damage due to extreme temperatures. You may see this notification on your lock screen or in the Battery Settings (Settings > Battery). It’s Apple’s way of ensuring your iPhone’s battery stays healthy for the long term. A similar warning may also appear on your Mac in certain circumstances.
Why Does This Happen?
Your iPhone uses a lithium-ion battery, which can be sensitive to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. Here’s how different temperatures affect your iPhone while charging:
Charging in Hot Conditions
Heat and electronics are a bad combination. When you charge your iPhone in hot environments—especially when temperatures exceed 95°F (35°C)—it can accelerate the chemical reactions within the battery, leading to faster degradation. This means your battery will lose capacity over time, leading to shorter battery life and more frequent recharging.
To prevent overheating, iPhones have a built-in safety feature. When the device detects that it’s getting too hot while charging, it automatically pauses charging and displays the ‘Charging on Hold’ notification. Once the temperature drops to a safe level, charging will resume, protecting your battery from further damage.
Charging in Cold Conditions
On the flip side, cold weather can also affect your iPhone’s battery. If the temperature falls below 32°F (0°C), your battery may struggle to charge efficiently. Cold temperatures reduce the battery’s ability to hold a charge, and you might notice that it takes longer to charge or that the battery doesn’t fully charge.
Just like in hot conditions, iPhones are equipped to protect themselves from damage in cold environments. If your iPhone becomes too cold, it may delay charging or even refuse to charge until it warms up to a safer temperature.
Best Practices for Charging Your iPhone
We also wrote previously what to do when you see this notification. Please review that article too.
Whether you’re dealing with extreme heat or freezing temperatures, it’s essential to follow these best practices to ensure your iPhone charges efficiently and maintains good battery health:
- Charge in Moderate Temperatures: Apple recommends charging your iPhone in environments between 32°F and 95°F (0°C to 35°C) to maintain optimal battery health.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: If you’re in a hot environment, keep your iPhone out of direct sunlight, especially when charging. For example, the interior of a parked car can get extremely hot, which can lead to overheating.
- Warm Up Your Phone in Cold Weather: If your iPhone has been exposed to cold temperatures, let it naturally warm up to room temperature before charging. Avoid using external heat sources to warm it up, as this could cause further damage.
- Monitor Charging Behavior: Pay attention to how your iPhone behaves during charging. If it overheats or charges slowly, temperature is likely the culprit. Pause charging and allow the phone to adjust to a safer temperature before resuming.
- Stop Using the Phone: If you see the ‘Charging on Hold’ notification while using your iPhone, stop using it. Lock the screen or put the device to sleep to help it cool down more quickly.
The ‘Charging on Hold’ notification is a helpful safety feature designed to protect your iPhone’s battery from damage due to extreme temperatures. By charging your phone in a more controlled environment and following these best practices, you can ensure that your iPhone remains in top condition and your battery lasts longer.
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