How to Calibrate Your New Lithium Ion Battery (And Why It Matters!)

If you have recently had a replacement battery fitted in your phone, tablet, or laptop or if you have just set up a brand new device, there is one quick step you can do to make sure you get the absolute best performance out of it: battery calibration.

Do not worry, it is not complex, and you do not need to be a tech wizard to do it! Here is a simple guide on what battery calibration is, why it matters, and how to do it in three easy steps.

What is a Lithium Ion Battery?

Almost all modern portable electronics including your phone, tablet, and laptop are powered by Lithium Ion batteries.

They are lightweight, hold an impressive amount of charge for their size, and recharge quickly. Inside your device, there is a small microchip that acts like a fuel gauge, monitoring how much power the battery has left so it can display that handy percentage icon on your screen.

Why is Calibration Needed?

When a battery is brand new or freshly installed, your device internal battery monitor has not established its true baseline yet.

Without calibration, your phone or laptop might get a little confused about its upper and lower limits. This can lead to annoying glitches like your battery meter dropping rapidly, getting stuck at 99%, or your device unexpectedly shutting down when it says you still have 15% charge left.

Calibrating simply resets this digital fuel gauge so your device knows exactly where 0% and 100% are.

How to Calibrate Your Battery (In 3 Simple Steps)

To get your battery meter working perfectly, just follow these three steps:

Step 1: Charge to 100% (+ 2 Extra Hours)

Plug your device in and let it charge all the way to 100%. Once it hits 100%, leave it plugged in for an extra 2 hours. This ensures the battery cells are fully saturated with power.

Note: If you have just collected your device from us at The Computer Shed following a battery replacement, we usually complete this first step for you before handing your device back!

Step 2: Drain it completely

Unplug your device and use it normally or let a video play until the battery drains all the way down and the device turns itself off automatically due to low power.

Step 3: Charge back to 100% uninterrupted

Plug your charger back in and let the device charge all the way back up to 100% in one single, uninterrupted session. Try not to unplug it or use it heavily while it charges.

That is It!

Once you have completed those steps, your device battery gauge will be fully recalibrated, giving you accurate battery readings and smooth power delivery going forward.

If you ever have questions about battery health, notice your device running out of juice too quickly, or need a fresh battery installed in your phone, tablet, or laptop, feel free to drop us a message!