For most people, charging their smartphones has become a part of their regular routine. But did you know that there are actually some huge mistakes you can make when charging your phone that could potentially damage it?

Many phone users tend to complain that their device’s batteries discharge quickly. They also typically blame the product manufacturer for this issue. However, the manufacturer isn’t always at fault. Here are five mistakes that users typically make when charging their phones:

1.Waiting for the battery to reach low levels before charging

Avoid waiting for your battery to reach a critically low level before charging. The effect of this on the phone battery is not immediate, but over time it begins to manifest and it eventually stresses out the phone battery (yes, batteries get stressed too) and shortens the battery life. Think of your battery as a human body, you really don’t need to wait until you’re about to die before you rest and eat to recharge yourself.

2.Keeping your phone case on while charging

Your phone typically emits heat when charging. To avoid exposing your device to ambient temperatures, it is advisable to remove the phone case while charging so that the heat emitted from the phone while charging can escape. This way, you can prevent your device from becoming hotter and potentially overheating when charging. Charging your battery at uncomfortable temperatures can permanently damage the battery capacity.

3.Charging your phone in the wrong places

You should mind where you charge your phone, because not doing so can negatively affect the battery capacity. Phones have a temperature range for which they can function normally and charging your phone in a hot area can raise the temperature and stress the battery out. In addition, charging your phone in especially low temperature areas, like in front of an air conditioner, can also cause problems for your battery that will eventually affect its optimum performance.

4.Charging your phone overnight

night is most likely going to be between five to eight hours, and your smartphone battery typically only needs two to three hours to fully charge. Charging your phone overnight constantly stresses the battery each night. Sooner than later, your phone is likely to have battery problems. In addition, the temperature rises when the battery is overcharged. So, apart from shortening battery life, it can also threaten user’s safety in the event it quickly heats up and explodes. It is better to charge your phone before you sleep and switch it off while sleeping to preserve the battery till the next day.

5.Plugging whatever charger fits

This, especially applies to smartphones. Most smartphones users use a micro USB as charger and for this reasons, most people tend to switch and swap chargers since they fit into and work on their phones. However, this is not appropriate and in the end, it can negatively affect your phone battery. The fact that most smartphones have the same micro USB doesn’t mean all chargers and phones are compatible. Some chargers function differently and that difference can be detrimental to your device if care is not taken.