iPhone 18 Pro Max has a new Prepare to Ship feature that temporarily limits its battery for transport after the phone has been activated. Apple says the model’s battery capacity exceeds 20 watt-hours, which triggers additional shipping requirements in many countries and regions.
The limit is already in place before a new phone is activated. Once activation is complete, the iPhone unlocks its full battery capacity. Prepare to Ship is for a later return, repair, trade-in or gift shipment, when the device needs to fall below the transport threshold again.
When to use Prepare to Ship
- Before mailing an iPhone 18 Pro Max for repair, return or trade-in.
- Before sending an activated phone to someone else.
- Not for normal daily battery management or extending battery life.
Apple says the feature discharges the battery below 20 Wh and then sets a charge limit so the phone remains under that threshold during shipping. The user can reverse the process and restore the ordinary charge limit after the shipment is complete.
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Before sending any iPhone away, make a backup and follow Apple’s return or repair instructions for the specific destination. Prepare to Ship addresses the battery-transport requirement; it does not erase personal data or remove Activation Lock on its own.
Do not turn on the mode merely because the battery is large. It is a transport control with a specific purpose, and limiting charge capacity will reduce normal runtime until it is reversed.
Apple’s Prepare to Ship support guide contains the current instructions and explains why iPhone 18 Pro Max needs the additional battery-management step.
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