Apple has introduced a new battery-management system for the iPhone 18 Pro Max that keeps its battery capacity below 20Wh during shipping. A dedicated “Prepare to Ship” feature also allows users to safely prepare the device for repairs, trade-ins, or other shipments.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max introduces a battery-management mechanism that is not found on other current iPhone models. The change is related to the device’s battery capacity, which exceeds the 20Wh threshold used in certain transportation requirements for lithium-ion batteries.
Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses an “innovative battery-firmware solution” to keep the battery’s available capacity below 20Wh from the time the device is manufactured until it is delivered to the customer.
Once the iPhone is activated, the firmware restriction is removed, allowing the device to access its full battery capacity. Units that remain sealed in their boxes or have not yet been activated are already subject to the lower capacity limit and therefore do not require any additional preparation before shipment.
A dedicated mode for shipping the iPhone
The situation is different when an activated iPhone 18 Pro Max needs to be shipped again, such as for a repair, trade-in, replacement, or other service.
To address this, Apple has added a new “Prepare to Ship” option to iOS. The feature reduces the battery’s capacity to below 20Wh and applies a charging limit to ensure the device remains below that threshold while it is being transported.
Users can access the feature through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Prepare to Ship. Once the process has been completed, the Settings app displays a “Ready to Ship” status, indicating that the device has been prepared for transportation.
Apple notes that the iPhone 18 Pro Max may become warmer than usual while the feature is running if the battery needs to discharge before reaching the required level. The behavior is part of the battery preparation process rather than an indication of a malfunction.
Users can also reverse the shipping preparation from the same section of the Settings app. Depending on the reason selected when activating the feature, however, Apple may impose a waiting period of up to 14 days before the shipping restriction can be removed.
Why the iPhone 18 Pro Max needs it
Apple emphasizes that the iPhone 18 Pro Max remains safe to ship and carry on aircraft. The additional battery-management step is designed to comply with transportation requirements associated with batteries exceeding certain capacity thresholds.
The feature is currently specific to the iPhone 18 Pro Max because it is the only iPhone model with a single-cell battery exceeding 20Wh. Other iPhone models therefore do not require the same shipping procedure.
The new system also highlights how Apple is using firmware to manage battery behavior beyond everyday charging and power consumption. In the case of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, software controls now play a role in ensuring that the device can meet applicable transportation requirements throughout different stages of its lifecycle.