Introduction
If you own an iPhone, you may have noticed that your battery turns yellow over time. This issue is a common concern among iPhone users, but it’s important to understand why it happens and what steps you can take to prevent it. The yellow tint is not simply a cosmetic problem; it can be an indicator of your battery’s health. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind iPhone battery yellowing, top techniques to keep your iPhone battery in good health, common causes and solutions for yellowing issues, myths about battery yellowing, step-by-step troubleshooting and guide to do responsible disposal.
The Science Behind iPhone Battery Yellow: Understanding Battery Health and Maintenance
The iPhone battery is made of lithium-ion, a chemistry that makes a high-energy density battery that is lightweight. Over time, the chemicals that make up the lithium-ion battery degrade, which results in the capacity of it being reduced and it falls below 80%, and eventually yellowing. The yellowing is — in most models — a given indicator that your battery is due for a replacement. It suggests the chemical reaction that produces power is slowly shifting as the battery ages.
It’s important to note that battery health and yellowing are closely related. In fact, yellowing can be an indicator of the overall health of your battery. Apple provides tools that iOS users can install on their devices to check battery health. With that information, one can determine their battery’s maximum capacity keeping it in good health. Apple generally recommends that battery replacements be done after a few years of usage as all batteries have a limited lifespan.
There are many factors that can affect battery health and cause yellowing. These include:
- Frequent and heavy use of your iPhone
- Leaving your iPhone in hot temperatures or direct sunlight
- Leaving your iPhone in a cold area or exposed to cold weather
- Lack of maintenance and not cleaning the iPhone regularly
- Using a non-Apple charger or cable to charge your iPhone
- Running outdated software on your iPhone
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to maintain battery health and prevent yellowing.
Top Techniques to Keep Your iPhone Battery in Good Health and Reduce Yellowing
Charging Practices to Reduce Yellowing
One of the most important ways to maintain battery health is to ensure that you are charging your iPhone correctly. Here are some tips for charging your iPhone:
- Avoid overcharging your iPhone by removing it from the charger once it is fully charged
- Charge your iPhone to 80% to extend its lifespan
- Avoid using non-Apple chargers or cables, as they may not provide the correct amount of power and could thus lead to yellowing
- Do not charge your iPhone in direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure to heat may reduce your batter’s life span
The Role of Software Updates in Maintaining Battery Health
Software updates can help maintain iPhone battery health and prevent yellowing. Whenever Apple identifies battery related issues, they release updates to fix these issues. It is therefore important to keep your device updated to the latest iOS version of the time. New updates also offer new battery management features to prolong battery lifespan. You can check for the latest updates by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update.
Battery-Saving Features to Prevent Yellowing
Additional features can be used to minimize battery stress and reduce yellowing by:
- Lowering the screen brightness
- Switching off parallax effects which include motion and background blur.
- Switching on battery-saving mode.
- Minimizing creative visual effects as they demand a lot of battery power
Why is your iPhone Battery Yellow? The Common Causes and Solutions
If your iPhone battery is yellow or showing signs of yellowing, there are several common causes that you should be aware of.
Overview of the Most Common Causes of Yellowing
- The battery is ageing, and its capacity has gone down due to constant use or other external factors, which makes it yellow
- The battery has been overcharged, leading to its damage or death, which causes yellowing
- The battery is exposed to direct sunlight and/ or heat, leading to chemical reactions that cause yellowing
How to Diagnose the Issue and Find the Root Cause
The most common sign that your iPhone battery is yellow is when the battery gauge in the upper right corner of your screen indicates an abnormal battery health percentage. The iPhones have a dedicated panel in Settings where you can check battery charge levels, its details, and data usage.
However, when you notice a yellow battery level displaying, it could also mean that your iPhone’s software has issues due to app updates or other issues unrelated to the battery. In such scenarios, it’s important to diagnose the problem correctly before taking any subsequent actions.
Solutions to Fix the Yellowing Problem
If your iPhone battery is yellowing, one option is to replace the battery. Apple recommends getting it replaced when it falls below 80% in maximum capacity. Another option is to take measures that correct any other cause that could have led to yellowing of the battery.
If the reason for yellowing is unknown, you can reset your iPhone to factory settings and update it to the latest iOS version and see if the issue is resolved.
Breaking Down the Myths About iPhone Battery Yellowing: What’s True and What’s False
Many myths surround iPhone battery yellowing. Here are three of the most common myths and explanations of why they are untrue:
Myth #1: Leaving your iPhone on the charger overnight will damage the battery and cause yellowing.
This statement is unfounded since iPhone batteries are smart enough to know when to stop charging once they reach full capacity. Therefore, there will be no damage caused to the battery due to constant charging.
Myth #2: Using third-party chargers will not harm your battery or lead to yellowing.
This statement is untrue because uncertified chargers can lead to excessive voltages, which can put undue stress on the internal components of the battery and speed up the battery ageing process, leading to yellowing.
Myth #3: Yellowing means that your iPhone battery is dead and you need a new phone.
While yellowing can be indicative of an ageing battery with a reduced maximum capacity, it’s unlikely that it indicates that the iPhone is dead. The battery can be replaced in Apple stores or certified repair centers, leading to a longer lifespan of the device.
Step-by-Step Guide to Troubleshooting iPhone Battery Yellowing Issues
If you’re experiencing yellowing issues with your iPhone battery, refer to the following step-by-step guide for troubleshooting:
- Update your iPhone to the latest software version.
- Ensure that you are using an Apple charger and cable.
- Minimize power-intensive activities like gaming or running camera apps.
- Reduce your iPhone’s screen brightness.
- Switch on your iPhone’s battery saver mode.
- If the yellowing issue persists, backup your iPhone, and then reset it to factory settings, then update to the latest iOS version.
- If all the above fail, consider taking it to an authorized Apple Technician for repair or replacement.
The Environmental Impact of Yellowing iPhone Batteries and Best Ways to Dispose of Them Responsibly
Yellowing iPhone batteries have an environmental impact that is often overlooked. Disposing of old batteries in a way that is not environmentally friendly may lead to adverse consequences.
The Environmental Impact of Improperly Disposing of Batteries
Improper disposal of batteries will often lead to leakages of toxins and other chemicals that are toxic to the environment. These chemicals may seep into the environment, leading to health risks for present and future generations.
Best Practices for Recycling or Disposing of Yellowing iPhone Batteries
When disposing of your iPhone battery, you can use one of the following methods:
- Take your old iPhone to an authorized Apple center for recycling or Apple store for battery replacement.
- Use battery recycling programs or services that help recycle electronic waste
- Some programs will offer incentives to recycle your old iPhone battery
Conclusion
Yellowing of an iPhone battery is a common issue, but now you have the knowledge and tools to maintain the health of your battery and prevent yellowing. We hope that this article has helped you understand the science behind iPhone battery yellowing, common causes, and solutions, along with tips for responsible disposal. Remember, maintaining battery health and responsibly recycling batteries can have an excellent environmental impact.
So, share this article with your friends and family. Let’s make our environment better by preventing battery pollution and staying informed on the latest tech-related developments.