The fastest way to charge is to use the charger that came with your phone, plug it into a wall outlet, and turn on airplane mode

Phone charging speed depends on three things: the charger's power output (measured in watts), the cable quality, and what your phone is doing while it charges. A charger rated 20 watts or higher will charge most modern phones noticeably faster than the 5-watt charger that came with older models. But the single biggest speed boost comes from stopping all the work your phone is doing — which is why airplane mode cuts charging time by 20 to 40 percent.

Wall outlets deliver power faster than USB ports on computers or car chargers, which is why plugging into a wall makes a real difference. If you are using a third-party charger, check that it matches your phone's charging standard: iPhones use USB-C or Lightning, Android phones use USB-C or Micro-USB depending on the model. A mismatched cable will charge slowly or not at all.

Key Takeaways

  • Airplane mode reduces charging time by 20 to 40 percent because your phone stops searching for signals and running background tasks.
  • A wall outlet charges faster than a computer USB port or car charger, and a 20-watt charger is noticeably faster than a 5-watt one.
  • The cable matters as much as the charger — a damaged or low-quality cable will slow charging even if the charger itself is powerful.
  • Closing apps, disabling location services, and lowering screen brightness all speed up charging by reducing the work your phone is doing.
  • Fast charging generates heat, which can degrade your battery over time if you use it constantly, so reserve it for when you actually need speed.

Turn on airplane mode to stop background activity

When airplane mode is on, your phone stops searching for cellular signals, Wi-Fi networks, and Bluetooth connections. It also pauses notifications, location services, and most background app refresh. All of that searching and updating uses power, so turning it off means more power goes into the battery instead of being spent on those tasks.

To turn on airplane mode: on iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner and tap the airplane icon. On Android, swipe down twice from the top to open the full quick settings panel, then tap Airplane Mode. Your phone will show an airplane symbol in the status bar. Charging will speed up when ready.

The tradeoff is that you will not receive calls, texts, or notifications while airplane mode is on. If you need to stay reachable, you can get most of the benefit by turning off just location services and closing all open apps instead — it is not as fast as airplane mode, but it still makes a measurable difference.

Use a high-wattage charger and check the cable

Charger power is measured in watts. A 5-watt charger (the standard that came with older iPhones) will charge slowly. A 20-watt charger is noticeably faster. A 30-watt or higher charger is faster still, though the speed gain levels off once you reach your phone's maximum charging speed — an iPhone 15 will not charge any faster with a 65-watt charger than with a 30-watt one.

The cable is equally important. A frayed, bent, or low-quality cable creates resistance that slows charging, even if the charger itself is powerful. If your cable is more than two years old, visibly damaged, or came from an unknown manufacturer, replacing it will often restore fast charging. Apple and Samsung make official cables, and brands like Anker and Belkin make certified third-party cables that work reliably.

To find your phone's maximum charging speed, search "[your phone model] maximum charging watts" — this tells you what charger to buy. There is no benefit to buying a charger more powerful than your phone can accept, but there is a real cost to using one that is too weak.

Close apps and lower screen brightness while charging

Every app running in the background uses power. Every time your screen turns on or stays bright, it uses power. When you are trying to charge quickly, closing apps and dimming the screen redirects that power into the battery instead of away from it.

Close all open apps by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or swiping up and holding (Android). Then lower your screen brightness: on iPhone, swipe down from the top right and drag the brightness slider all the way down. On Android, swipe down twice and drag the brightness slider down. Better yet, turn the screen off entirely while charging — your phone will charge fastest when it is doing nothing at all.

Location services are another power drain. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and toggle it off. On Android, go to Settings > Location and toggle it off. Turn these back on when you are done charging.

Plug into a wall outlet, not a computer or car charger

A wall outlet supplies power at a higher voltage than a USB port on a computer or the USB port in a car. This is why plugging into a wall charger is noticeably faster than plugging into a laptop or car.

If you must use a car charger, buy one rated for at least 20 watts — the cheap ones rated 5 watts will charge very slowly. If you must use a computer, plug into a USB-C port on the computer itself rather than a hub, because hubs split power among multiple devices.

Avoid charging through a USB hub, power strip, or extension cord if possible. These add resistance and slow charging. A direct wall outlet is always fastest.

Remove the phone case and let it cool if it gets hot

Phone cases trap heat. When your phone is charging, especially with a high-wattage charger, it generates heat. A case makes that heat worse, which can slow charging and degrade your battery. Removing the case while charging lets heat escape and can speed up charging by 10 to 15 percent.

If your phone gets hot to the touch while charging — noticeably warmer than room temperature — unplug it and let it cool for a few minutes. Charging while very hot can damage the battery permanently. This is especially important if you are using fast charging regularly. If your phone consistently gets too hot, the charger may be faulty or the battery may be failing, and you should have it checked.

Once charging is complete, put the case back on. Cases are good for protecting your phone; they just slow charging while it is plugged in.

Understand the limits of fast charging and when to use it

Fast charging generates more heat than slow charging, and heat degrades lithium batteries over time. If you use fast charging every single day, your battery will lose capacity faster than if you charged slowly most of the time. This is why it makes sense to use fast charging when you actually need speed — before leaving the house, before a trip — but charge slowly overnight when you have time.

Slow charging means using a 5 to 10-watt charger, leaving airplane mode off, and letting your phone run normally. It takes longer but is gentler on the battery. Many phones now have a "Optimized Battery Charging" setting that learns your charging patterns and slows charging overnight to reduce heat damage. On iPhone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and toggle on Optimized Battery Charging. On Android, this varies by manufacturer — search "[your phone model] optimized charging" to find it.

The practical takeaway: use fast charging when you need it, but do not feel obligated to use it every time you plug in. Your battery will last longer if you mix fast and slow charging throughout the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does leaving my phone plugged in after it reaches 100 percent slow down charging?

No, but it can degrade the battery over time. Once your phone reaches 100 percent, the charger stops actively charging and switches to a trickle charge to keep the battery topped off. This is safe for a few hours, but leaving your phone plugged in overnight every night will reduce battery lifespan. Unplugging when the charge reaches 100 percent, or using Optimized Battery Charging to stop charging at 80 percent overnight, extends battery life.

Is it safe to use a third-party charger, or do I need the original?

Third-party chargers are safe as long as they are certified for your phone's charging standard. Look for chargers from established brands like Anker, Belkin, or Amazon Basics that explicitly state they are certified for iPhone or Android. Avoid very cheap chargers from unknown manufacturers — they may not regulate power correctly and can damage your battery or phone. The official charger is always an option, but you do not have to use it.

Why does my phone charge slowly even with a fast charger?

The most common causes are a damaged cable, a charger that does not match your phone's standard, or your phone doing too much work (apps running, screen on, location services active). Try a different cable first. If that does not help, check that your charger is rated for at least 20 watts and matches your phone's charging port. If the phone still charges slowly, the battery itself may be failing and should be inspected.

Can I charge my phone faster by using it while it charges?

No — using your phone while charging actually slows it down because power is being split between charging the battery and running the apps and screen. Charging is fastest when the phone is off or in airplane mode with the screen off. If you need to use your phone, accept that it will charge more slowly.

Does wireless charging charge as fast as a cable?

No. Wireless chargers are typically 5 to 15 watts, while wired chargers can be 20 watts or higher. Wireless charging is convenient but slower. If speed matters, use a wired charger plugged into a wall outlet.