If your iPhone is charging slow, it can feel seriously annoying—especially when you’re in a hurry and your battery seems stuck at the same percentage forever. You plug it in, you wait… and somehow it’s still crawling up 1% at a time. The worst part? Sometimes your phone looks like it’s charging normally, but it’s actually charging way slower than it should.
I’ve dealt with this more times than I’d like to admit. In my opinion, slow charging is one of those problems that makes you think your phone is “broken,” but the fix is often much simpler. I think a lot of people waste money replacing chargers or even upgrading phones when the real issue is something small like a dirty port, a weak power source, or a hidden setting.
The good news is this: you can fix iPhone slow charging fast. This article will walk you through the most common causes and the easiest solutions, so you can speed up your iPhone charging in minutes and get back to your day without stress.
Why Is My iPhone Charging So Slowly?
Before jumping into fixes, it helps to understand what’s going on. Your iPhone charging speed depends on a few key factors:
- Your charger wattage
- Your cable quality
- Where you’re plugging it in
- Battery temperature
- Background activity
- Battery health and iOS settings
Sometimes the problem is obvious… and sometimes it’s sneaky.
Quick Signs Your iPhone Is Charging Slower Than Normal
If you’re wondering whether your phone is actually charging “slow,” look for these signs:
- Your battery increases only 1–2% every few minutes
- Charging feels slower than it used to with the same charger
- Your phone charges faster in Airplane Mode
- Charging jumps up quickly, then slows down again
- Your iPhone gets warm while charging
If your iPhone feels hot and charges slowly, that’s a big clue.
The Most Common Causes of iPhone Slow Charging
1) Your Power Adapter Is Too Weak
Not all charging bricks are equal. Some adapters are super low-power, especially old ones.
A weak charger = slow charging.
Common slow-charging sources include:
- Old 5W iPhone adapter
- Cheap low-quality adapters
- Plugging into a laptop USB port
2) Your Cable Is Damaged or Low Quality
Even if your cable “works,” it might not deliver full power.
Watch out for:
- Loose charging connection
- Frayed cable ends
- Random charging disconnects
- Non-certified cables (no MFi certification)
3) You’re Plugging Into the Wrong Power Source
FYI, your iPhone charges much slower when plugged into:
- A computer USB port
- A power bank with low output
- A car USB port (older cars especially)
4) Dirt or Lint in the Charging Port
This is one of the biggest reasons for slow charging—and it’s often overlooked.
A tiny amount of pocket lint can block the cable from connecting properly.
5) Your iPhone Is Too Hot or Too Cold
Temperature affects charging speed a lot. If your phone heats up, iOS may slow charging to protect the battery.
Charging might slow down if:
- You’re charging in direct sunlight
- Your iPhone is under a pillow/blanket
- You’re gaming or using heavy apps while charging
6) Background Apps Are Draining Power While Charging
If your phone is working hard, your charger is basically fighting to keep up.
Big battery drainers include:
- Video streaming
- Gaming
- Navigation + location services
- Video calls
- High screen brightness
How to Speed Up iPhone Charging in Minutes (Fast Fixes)
These are the quickest solutions you can try right now. Start from the top and work your way down.
1) Use a Faster Charger (This Helps Instantly)
If you want the biggest upgrade, use a fast charging adapter.
✅ Best charging setup:
- 20W USB-C power adapter
- USB-C to Lightning cable (or USB-C to USB-C for newer iPhones)
This alone can cut charging time dramatically.
2) Switch the Outlet (Avoid Low Power Sources)
Try plugging your charger directly into a wall outlet instead of a laptop or extension setup.
Better options:
- Wall socket
- High-quality surge protector
- USB-C wall charger
3) Turn On Airplane Mode (Instant Speed Boost)
This is one of the easiest tricks when you need fast charging.
Steps:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner (Control Center)
- Tap Airplane Mode
- Keep it on while charging for 10–20 minutes
Why it works: it reduces background activity like cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
4) Stop Using Your Phone While It Charges
I know this one is tough… but it works.
If you keep scrolling or watching videos while charging, you slow things down.
For faster charging:
- Lock the screen
- Avoid gaming or streaming
- Let it charge undisturbed
Even 10 minutes of no-use charging can make a big difference.
5) Lower Your Screen Brightness
Your screen eats battery fast.
Quick fixes:
- Reduce brightness to around 25–40%
- Turn on Auto-Brightness
- Turn on Low Power Mode
6) Turn On Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode reduces background app refresh and performance drain.
Steps:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Battery
- Turn on Low Power Mode
This helps your iPhone charge faster because it uses less energy during charging.
7) Clean the Charging Port (Carefully!)
IMO, this is one of the most “shockingly effective” fixes.
What you’ll need:
- A wooden toothpick OR plastic pick
- A flashlight
Steps:
- Turn off your iPhone
- Shine a light into the charging port
- Gently remove lint or dust buildup
- Plug the cable back in and check the fit
⚠️ Do NOT use metal pins or anything sharp (you can damage the port).
8) Try a Different Cable (Even If Yours Looks Fine)
Sometimes cables weaken internally.
If possible, test with:
- An Apple original cable
- A certified MFi cable
- A brand new cable
If the new cable charges faster, your old cable was the problem.
Hidden iPhone Settings That Can Affect Charging Speed
Optimized Battery Charging (Can Slow Charging Near 80%)
Apple includes a feature that may slow charging after 80% to protect battery life.
This is normal and not a defect.
To check it:
- Settings → Battery
- Battery Health & Charging
- Look for Optimized Battery Charging
If your iPhone is slow only after 80%, this is probably why.
What If Your iPhone Still Charges Slowly?
If you tried everything and it’s still slow, here are a few deeper issues to consider.
1) Your Battery Health Is Low
A worn battery can lead to slower charging performance.
Check it here:
- Settings → Battery
- Battery Health & Charging
- Look at Maximum Capacity
If it’s below 80%, your battery may be aging and affecting performance.
2) Your iPhone Has a Software Bug
Sometimes a glitch can mess with charging behavior.
Try this simple reset:
- Restart your iPhone
- Try charging again
You can also update iOS:
- Settings → General → Software Update
Updates can fix charging and battery bugs.
3) Your Charging Port May Be Damaged
If the cable feels loose or disconnects easily, your port might be worn out.
Common signs:
- Cable wiggles
- Charges only at a certain angle
- Stops charging randomly
At that point, it may need professional repair.
Best Charging Habits for Faster Charging (And Longer Battery Life)
Want your iPhone to charge fast and stay healthy long-term? Do these:
- Use quality adapters and cables
- Avoid charging in heat (don’t leave it in the sun)
- Don’t cover your phone while charging
- Keep your battery between 20%–80% often
- Clean your charging port occasionally
- Don’t use your phone heavily while charging
Small habits = big improvements.
FAQ: Iphone Charging Slow? Speed It Up In Minutes
1) Why is my iPhone charging slow even with a new charger?
Even with a new charger, slow charging can happen due to a low-quality cable, a weak wall adapter, background activity, or lint inside the charging port. Also, iPhones may slow charging when they get hot or when Optimized Battery Charging is active.
2) Does Airplane Mode really make iPhone charging faster?
Yes. Airplane Mode reduces power usage by disabling cellular connection, background syncing, and network activity. That means more of the charger’s power goes directly into charging the battery instead of running the phone.
3) Is it normal for iPhone charging to slow down after 80%?
Yes, this is normal. Apple slows charging near 80% (and especially close to 100%) to protect the battery and reduce heat. It’s a built-in safety behavior, not a charging defect.
4) What’s the fastest way to charge an iPhone in minutes?
The fastest method is using a 20W (or higher) fast charger, a good cable, and turning on Airplane Mode or Low Power Mode. Also, keep your screen off and avoid using the phone while it charges.
5) Can a dirty charging port cause slow charging?
Absolutely. A dirty port can prevent the cable from making a strong connection, which reduces power flow. Carefully cleaning lint and dust out of the port often fixes slow charging immediately.
