Apple’s clever software solution lets iPhone batteries skirt shipping limits

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/268735_iPhone_18_Pro_MAX_AKrales_0994.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Apple has developed an unexpected workaround to prevent the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/995945/iphone-18-pro-max-review-camera-aperture">iPhone 18 Pro Max</a> from being hit by shipping restrictions on big batteries. There's a "battery-firmware solution" in place on the new iPhones, according to <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/127848">Apple's support page</a>, which keeps capacity below the 20Wh limit for single-cell batteries set by <a href="https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/dangerous-goods/lithium-batteries/">international shipping regulations</a> - but this firmware lock automatically removes itself when the device is booted up for the first time.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Following user activation, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is restored to its original rated charging capacity, which is around 21.75Wh for US eSIM-only models and 21.06Wh for European models with a physical …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/998144/apple-iphone-18-pro-max-battery-firmware-limit">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>