iOS 16.1 includes Clean Energy Charging, a feature that allows iPhone users to reduce their carbon footprint. Apple today updated its support documentation for the feature, providing more details on how it works, how to turn off the option if necessary, and more.
Apple says that “Clean Energy Charging is designed to reduce the carbon footprint of iPhone by optimizing the time it takes to charge when the grid is using clean energy,” while also saying that the feature is currently only available in the United States and it’s unclear if the feature will be extended to users in other countries in due course.
It is turned on by default and those who want to turn it off will need to do so by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and Charging. When enabled, Clean Energy Charging allows “the iPhone” to get a forecast of carbon emissions in the nearby energy grid and use that information to charge “the iPhone” during clean energy production.
Apple says that Clean Energy Charge works in conjunction with Optimal Battery Charging to understand users’ habits and only use the iPhone when it is charged for long periods of time, such as at home or at work. It does not enable the feature if charging habits change or if the user is in a new location, such as when traveling.
