Is it safe to leave your phone charging overnight?

Short answer

Why people ask this

People worry about fires, battery damage from staying at 100%, and whether fast chargers or wireless pads create extra heat while they sleep.

When it might be safe

• Use the original or a certified (UL/ETL/MFi/USB-IF) charger and cable
• Place the phone on a hard, uncovered surface with good airflow
• Enable optimized charging/battery protection features in settings
• Keep the room cool and remove a thick case if the phone feels warm
• Use reputable wireless chargers with temperature and foreign-object detection

When it is not safe

• Using damaged cables, frayed adapters, or very cheap uncertified chargers
• Charging under a pillow/blanket or on soft, flammable surfaces
• Phones with swollen batteries or obvious damage
• Extreme heat, direct sun, or charging in tightly enclosed spaces
• Loose outlets, stacked adapters, or overloaded power strips

Possible risks

• Slightly faster battery aging from time spent full and any heat buildup
• Heat accumulation if airflow is blocked or a fast charger runs hot
• Rare but serious fire risk with faulty or counterfeit charging gear
• Wireless charging misalignment or foreign objects causing excess heat

Safer alternatives

• Top up during the day and keep routine charging between ~20–80%
• Turn on optimized charging so it delays 100% until just before you wake
• Use a lower-power (slow) charger overnight to reduce heat
• Place the phone on a hard nightstand or use a certified wireless stand
• Replace an aging or swollen battery instead of pushing it overnight

Bottom line

Modern phones manage charging safely, so overnight charging is fine when you use certified gear and keep the phone cool and uncovered. To maximize battery lifespan, reduce heat, enable optimized charging, and avoid leaving damaged equipment in use.

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