While portable power banks and wireless charging have made keeping your phone powered up easier than ever, for many the most convenient time to fill your gadgets with juice is during the night.
It makes sense after all, as it's the one time during the day when you're guaranteed not only to not be using your phone, but to not need it at all, yet it could actually be more dangerous than you think.
Contrary to popular belief, having your iPhone close to or at 100% battery wise is actually harmful as the sweet spot is generally considered to be within the 20% to 80% range if you're looking to priorize the long-term health of your battery.
What you might not have also considered though is that charging your phone overnight potentially puts your own health at risk, as new advice from Apple warns people against the practice.
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As reported by Supercar Blondie, a new 'important safety memo' regarding the iPhone on Apple's website has revealed new advice for charging, emphasizing the importance of ventilation and heat management.
According to the memo, iPhone owners should "avoid prolonged skin contact with the charging cable and connector when the charging cable is connected to a power source because it may cause discomfort or injury."
This won't necessarily apply to all instances of charging overnight, but if you're prone to falling asleep while on your phone or if you like to keep your phone by your pillow when you drift off at night, you could actually be opening yourself up to danger.
It's all because of the increased amount of power that's supplied to your device when it's charging, as higher levels of power produce more heat that can't always be cooled by the ventilation built into your device.
You could find yourself lying on top of your iPhone or even the charging cable if you're a restless sleeper or move a lot during the night, and that might leave you with irritation or injury over prolonged periods.
Additionally, you also run the (albeit small) risk of causing a fire if the heat generated by charging reaches a certain level, and contact with flammable materials like bedding, blankets, and even clothes can be dangerous.
It might then be wise to find times during the day to charge your phone, as while it is most convenient to leave it on during the night, avoiding this can prevent any dangerous scenarios from occuring.