How to make your phone charge faster last-minute?

You’ve got ten minutes before you leave and your phone’s on 8%. You plug it in, find your shoes, check the battery again. Nine per cent. Excellent progress, thanks!

What do you do now then?

1. Check the charger before blaming the phone

Check your phone’s maximum charging power and the charging standard it supports. The phone, charger and cable need to work together. A 100W charger won’t make a phone with a 25W charging limit accept 100W. Equally, a charger labelled ‘fast’ might not support the system your phone needs.

Some phones also need specific accessories to reach their advertised speeds. OnePlus and OPPO’s SUPERVOOC system is one example, so check compatibility before buying a replacement plug or cable.2. Match the cable and use a wall socket

2. Match the cable and use a wall socket

For wired fast charging on an iPhone 15 or newer, use a USB-C to USB-C cable with a compatible USB Power Delivery adaptor. Earlier iPhones that support fast charging need a USB-C to Lightning cable instead.

Android charging requirements vary too. Use a cable that supports your model’s charging system, rather than assuming every cable with the right connector will deliver the same result.

A dedicated wall charger is a good starting point. Laptop USB ports can charge more slowly, while multi-port chargers may share their available power between connected devices. Your phone could be getting less power because your tablet’s plugged in beside it.

3. Give the scrolling a rest

Gaming, streaming and using demanding apps while charging can slow down the process. Lock the screen and leave it alone for that quick top-up. The group chat can manage ten minutes without you. Switching the phone off is another option if you don’t need to be reachable.

Flight mode reduces wireless activity, so it may help by cutting power use. How much difference that makes will vary, and it won’t increase your charger’s output. You’ll also lose your normal mobile connection, so skip it if you’re waiting for a call.

4. Keep it cool

Phones can reduce charging speed when they get too warm. Adding a fast charger to a hot phone won’t persuade it to ignore its temperature controls.

Charge somewhere shaded with air around the device. Avoid sunny dashboards and covering the phone with bedding. If it’s become unusually hot, let it cool before trying again.

5. Check your fast-charging settings

On supported Samsung Galaxy phones, go to Settings -> Battery -> Charging settings and check that Fast charging is switched on. Disconnect the charger first, as some models won’t let you change this while charging.

Menu names vary by model and software version. Other Android brands may have their own charging controls, so if you can’t find it, simply go through Settings and search for ‘fast charging’.

6. Check what your wireless charger can deliver

A basic wireless pad can be much slower than a compatible wired fast charger. Faster wireless charging exists, but the phone, charging pad and power adaptor all need to support it.

Check that the phone is positioned correctly. If charging is slow or keeps stopping, a thick or incompatible case could be interfering. Try removing it and checking the charging indicator again.

Bonus: Why does charging slow down near 100%?

Why does charging slow down near 100%? The last few per cent often take longer because phones reduce charging power as the battery fills. Apple describes faster charging up to around 80%, followed by a slower stage to help protect battery lifespan.

If charging pauses at a particular percentage, check for a charge limit or an adaptive charging schedule. These features can deliberately stop or delay charging. If you need 100% sooner, check your phone’s options for overriding that schedule or limit for the current charge.

You don’t need to run the battery flat before plugging it in, either. A quick top-up is fine. Leaving it until 2% just adds unnecessary suspense.