Why Your iPad, MacBook, or Even Your iPhone Stops Charging This Winter

Over the past few weeks, we’ve received quite a few messages from people who were having trouble charging their Apple devices in cold winter weather.

The iPad, MacBook and iPhone suddenly stopped charging and the owner tried different chargers and cables with no success. They start pointing at the battery and thinking it’s time for a replacement (battery or device).

Also: How to Build a Winter Emergency Kit (and Why)

Then, later in the day, the device suddenly starts charging again and everything seems fine.

It’s like the problem is solved.

So what is going on here?

A common factor in all these messages is temperature, especially low temperatures. People put their devices in their cars, garages, and outbuildings to let them cool down before charging.

If the device is still charging, the charger may turn off, but if the battery is already dead, the device itself will also appear to turn off and won’t turn on.

However, if the device is left in a “room temperature” environment for a while, the device will start charging again.

This is a feature, not a bug.

Rechargeable devices have an operating temperature range, with upper and lower limits, above which the battery goes into a sort of “safe mode” to protect it from damage.

apple publish this data:

Phones, iPads, iPods, Apple Watches

• Optimal working temperature: 32° to 95°F (0° to 35°C)
• Storage temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)

macbook

• Optimal working temperature: 50° to 95°F (10° to 35°C)
• Storage temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)

This is true for all rechargeable devices and batteries, but in my experience Apple has stepped up this more than other manufacturers, so the problem is more obvious.

Apple goes to great lengths to protect batteries from damage from improper use and charging.

On the other end of the temperature spectrum, if you leave your iPhone in a hot car for too long, you’ll get a message telling you it needs to cool down before you can use it or charge it.

Also, because of the temperature ranges involved, MacBooks are prone to this problem, so don’t leave them in your car overnight in cold or even hot weather.

So what do you do when you find a device that is stone cold and won’t charge?

The safest method is to bring the device to a “room temperature” environment (approximately 64° to 72° F (18° to 22° C)) and allow the device to warm up normally.

Want to speed up the warming process in a hurry?

take care!

Exposing your device to high temperatures can cause problems Warm up the device only if you can guarantee that the temperature will not exceed the 95° F (35° C) mark as it will damage the battery. I’ve used a heated blanket or a warm hot water bottle to do that, but monitor the temperature closely to make sure things don’t get too hot.

My advice is to do your best to keep your device in the “best working” temperature range. If your device is outside of these ranges, slowly bring it back up to operating temperature.

If it is absolutely necessary to keep your device outside in cold weather, power bank Keeps working and slows battery drain in cold weather. Anker Power Bank This is my go-to.