Beware iPhone ‘rule of 80’ that means your handset has serious problem – and you’ll need to pay to fix it
A LITTLE-KNOWN number on your iPhone reveals if your handset has a serious problem.
If you fall foul of the “rule of 80”, it might be time to cough up some cash.
It’s all linked to your iPhone battery and its health over time.
When you charge up (and through use, discharge) the battery in your iPhone, it degrades.
Over time, your iPhone will hold less charge compared to when it was new.
You can see this Maximum Capacity percentage by going into Settings > Battery > Battery Health on an iPhone.
The lower the number gets, the more often you’ll find yourself needing to charge your iPhone.
And once your iPhone drops below 80%, you’ll be presented with a message.
“Your battery’s health is significantly degraded,” Apple will warn.
“An Apple Authorized Service Provider can replace the battery to restore full performance and capacity.”
It will normally take around two years to reach this point, although your own experience may vary.
The pop-up will give you the option to find out “more about service options” if you tap the link at the bottom.
Importantly, Apple notes that a degraded battery doesn’t make your iPhone dangerous – just less effective.
Apple said: “This message does not indicate a safety issue. Your battery can still be used.
“However, you may be experiencing more noticeable battery and performance issues.
“A new replacement battery will improve your experience.”
Letting your iPhone battery’s Maximum Capacity drop too low will become increasingly annoying.
And you’ll also find that your iPhone begins to perform less effectively as it tries to protect the battery from further degradation.
Thankfully you can instantly fix the issue by paying for an Apple battery swap.
These typically cost $79/£79 or less, but it will depend on your model.
A swap will return your iPhone to a like-new state in terms of battery health.
And it means you’ll get all the performance benefits that come with a fully fresh battery too.