Battery health is a key indicator of battery performance, which directly affects the battery life and service life of the device. Whether it is a mobile phone, laptop or electric car, learning to check the battery health can help you find problems in time and avoid the embarrassment of sudden power outages. This article will introduce the battery health detection methods of different devices in detail and provide tips to extend battery life.
I. Why do you need to pay attention to battery health?
Batteries will naturally age with use, and reduced health will lead to:
- Shortened battery life (such as charging a mobile phone from once a day to twice a day).
- Slower charging speed (increased battery internal resistance).
- Degraded device performance (some mobile phones will automatically reduce the frequency due to battery aging).
- Safety hazards (bulging, leakage and even fire risks).
Battery Health is usually expressed as a percentage, 100% is a new battery, and below 80% is recommended for replacement (Apple officially recommends replacing the iPhone battery when it is less than 80%).
II. How to check the battery health of your mobile phone
1. iPhone (iOS system)
- Steps:
- Open "Settings" > "Battery" > "Battery Health".
- Check "Maximum Capacity" (i.e. current health) and "Peak Performance Capacity" (whether the battery is downgraded due to aging).
- Applicable models: iPhone 6 and later models (iOS 11.3 and above).
- Additional tools:
- CoconutBattery (Mac software, which can view more detailed data).
- 3uTools (Windows, suitable for jailbroken devices).
2. Android phones
There are many Android brands, and the viewing methods are slightly different:
(1) Samsung
- Settings > Device care > Battery > Battery Health.
(2) Huawei/Honor
- Settings > Battery > More battery settings > Battery Health.
(3) Xiaomi/Redmi
- Settings > Power saving and battery > Battery (some models need to enter "engineering mode" and enter *#*#6485#*#* to view).
(4) OPPO/Realme/OnePlus
- Settings > Battery > Battery health status (some models need to use the "dial keypad" to enter *#800# to enter test mode).
(5) General method (no built-in detection)
- Use third-party apps:
- AccuBattery (most accurate, requires multiple charge and discharge to calculate health).
- Battery Guru (applicable to most Android models).
III. Laptop battery health detection
1. Windows computer
(1) Command line view
- Steps:
- Win + R enter cmd to open the command prompt.
- Enter powercfg /batteryreport to generate a report.
- The report path is C:\Users\[user name]\battery-report.html. You can view it by opening it with a browser:
- DESIGN CAPACITY
- FULL CHARGE CAPACITY
- CYCLE COUNT
(2) Third-party tools
- BatteryInfoView (displays detailed battery information).
- HWMonitor (can monitor battery temperature and loss).
2. MacBook (macOS system)
- Steps:
- Hold down the Option key and click the Apple icon in the upper left corner > System Information.
- Select "Power" and view:
a. Cycle Count.
b. Maximum Capacity.
- Judgment criteria:
If the number of cycles is greater than 1000 or the capacity is less than 80%, it is recommended to replace it.
IV. Health test for electric vehicles battery
1. Electric vehicles (Tesla/BYD/NIO, etc.)
- Method:
a. Car system: Most electric vehicles can check their health on the "Battery Management" page (e.g. Tesla displays "Battery Attenuation Percentage").
b. 4S shop test: Use professional OBD equipment to read battery data (e.g. BYD's BMS system).
c. Third-party apps: Some brands support mobile app inquiries (e.g. "Battery Health Report" in "NIO App").
2. Electric bicycles/electric motorcycles
- Simple test:
a. Full battery life comparison: Record the battery life when the battery is new. If it drops by >30%, it may be aged.
b. Charging time: If the charging speed becomes significantly faster (e.g. it takes 6 hours to fully charge, but now it takes 3 hours to fully charge), it may be due to reduced capacity.
- Professional test:
Use a multimeter to measure the full battery voltage (a 48V battery should be 54.6V when fully charged. If it is lower than 50V, it may be damaged).
V. 5 tips to extend battery life
1. Avoid extreme power: Try to keep the power level between 20% and 80%, and avoid long-term full or empty power.
2. Reduce the impact of high temperature:
- Do not put your mobile phone under the pillow when charging.
- Avoid fast charging of electric vehicles immediately after exposure to the sun.
3. Use the original charger: Inferior chargers may cause overcharging or unstable voltage.
4. Regularly calibrate the fuel gauge (applicable to mobile phones/laptops):
- Once a month, fully discharge until it automatically shuts down, and then charge it to 100%.
5. Charge to 50% when storing for a long time: prevent self-discharge and over-discharge.
VI. When should I change the battery?
| Equipment | Recommended replacement standards |
| iPhone | health < 80% or battery life is significantly shortened |
| Android phone | battery life < 50% of original or abnormal heating during charging |
| Laptop computer | full charge capacity < 60% of designed capacity |
| Electric vehicle | full charge battery life < 70% of original or abnormally fast charging speed |
Summary
Battery health directly affects the user experience of the device, and regular inspections can help you find problems in advance. Whether it is a mobile phone, computer or electric vehicle, mastering the correct detection methods and maintenance techniques can make the battery more durable!
