Apple software-limits iPhone 18 Pro Max available capacity for shipping — The Verge
Apple has applied a software restriction to the available battery capacity of the iPhone 18 Pro Max so that the device complies with the 20 Wh limit for single-cell batteries established by international regulations during shipping. After the smartphone is first turned on and activated, this restriction is automatically removed, The Verge reports, citing an Apple support page.
Restriction before activation
Apple calls this mechanism a battery firmware-level solution. Before the first startup, it keeps the available capacity below 20 Wh. After activation, the iPhone 18 Pro Max returns to its stated capacity: approximately 21.75 Wh in US eSIM-only versions and 21.06 Wh in European models with a physical SIM card slot.
This approach allows the device to comply with shipping requirements for single-cell batteries before activation and to use the battery's full nominal capacity afterward.
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Mode for reshipping
If the smartphone needs to be sent for repair or resale, the user can restore the restriction through the Prepare to Ship feature. It sets the charging limit at 80% for 14 days.
The feature is available in Settings: “General” — “Transfer or Reset iPhone” — Prepare to Ship. Apple warns that the battery may need to discharge to complete the process and that the device may become warmer than usual during this time. The restriction can be turned off at any time in the same menu.
Apple’s approach
As The Verge notes, Android manufacturers outside Asia usually ship devices with smaller dual-cell batteries to comply with the same transportation restrictions. This is more expensive and less efficient in terms of using the device’s internal space.
