Why Do Batteries Lose Charge When Idle?

Imagine your phone battery is a water bucket. Even if you do not use any water (power), the bucket has tiny holes that let drops escape over time. This is self discharge.

Inside the battery, chemicals are always moving around. Sometimes they get confused and flow backwards or leak out without helping your phone. This is like a slow drip in the pipes of your house.

Yes! Heat makes the bucket leak faster. If you leave your phone in a hot car, it loses its charge much quicker than if it sits on a cool desk.