This is what happens if you leave your Android phone dead for too long

An Android smartphone is a handy tool, until its battery dies and you’re left to figure out what’s wrong. Left dead for too long, your Android phone’s battery can come back to life, but this depends on its condition. Smartphones use lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged, but only a certain number of times — anywhere from several hundred to 1,000 depending on the device — before they wear out. And when these lithium-ion batteries go flat for too long without being charged, it can lead to swelling.

Damage may also be caused if the device remains on charge after the cycle is complete or when stored at very high or very low temperatures. The frequency and percentage of charging a smartphone will impact battery wear and may make it more difficult to reactivate if the battery has been completely discharged for an extended period of time. On that note, it’s also important to know the warning signs that your lithium-ion battery might catch fire.

If your phone bites the dust and you need to access stored data, photos, or videos, there are ways to try to briefly revive it or bring it back from the dead. You may also encounter this problem when using an old Android phone just to listen to music or take notes. Fortunately, even if the battery swells, the phone can still be recovered. A lithium-ion battery is composed of an anode, a cathode, a separator, an electrolyte, and positive and negative current collectors.

This is what makes the battery rechargeable, but the chemical reactions that occur within it can also lead to gas buildup and visible swelling. This can be caused by overloading, voltage issues, and extreme temperatures. To avoid this, remove your phone from the charger once it reaches 100% and store it between 32° and 95° Fahrenheit.

If your Android phone isn’t charging at all, the battery may be completely dead or the USB cable or port may be the cause. If the battery swells, recycling is the solution. But when there’s enough juice and swelling isn’t an issue, you can check the battery status in the device’s settings to get an idea of ​​why its usability might be declining.

If your Android phone goes unused for a long period of time, you should charge it every few months, as a device left empty for long periods of time can end up with a weakened battery. That said, it’s also important to know what happens to your Android phone when you leave it on all the time. Ultimately, if all else fails, reviving a dead Android device may require taking it to a service center for professional help.

Another option to keep in mind is to replace the old battery with a new one to avoid purchasing a completely new device. To help preserve the health of your phone’s battery, turn it off periodically. Unplug your Android phone from the charger at around 80% charge to reduce battery stress and avoid overcharging. Also try not to let it die completely and plug in the charger once the battery reaches 20%.