GoKawiilAamir Siddiqui / Android Authority
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TL;DR Apple has revealed the Prepare to Ship feature for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and we hope Android OEMs copy this option.
This feature caps the iPhone’s battery capacity during transport, allowing the iPhone 18 Pro Max to meet transport requirements in many countries.
The cap is removed once the phone is activated, allowing for higher battery capacities in Europe, the US, and other markets.
Smartphone batteries have grown exponentially in the last few years, with 6,000mAh, 7,000mAh, and even 10,000mAh batteries on the market. Unfortunately, transport regulations in many markets place a cap on the size of an individual battery cell. This forces smartphone makers to adopt dual-cell battery designs or use smaller batteries, but Apple has revealed a nifty solution with the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Europe, the US, and international transport networks have a 20Wh cap on a small single-cell battery. That’s roughly equivalent to a maximum capacity of 5,300mAh. However, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 5,391mAh battery in global models. So how did Apple get around this restriction?
Apple’s solution for large batteries in every market Apple has revealed on its support website (h/t: MacRumors) that it uses firmware to limit the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s battery capacity to below 20Wh. This cap is in effect from manufacturing and transport.
“When you activate your iPhone, the limit is removed and the battery’s full charging capacity is available,” the iPhone maker explains.
What if you need to ship your device for repairs, trade-in, or gifting? Apple says you can visit Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and turn on the Prepare to Ship feature, which discharges your battery below the 20Wh mark and adds an 80% charge limit.
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