According to Apple, iPhone 18 Pro Max uses an "advanced battery software solution" to maintain battery capacity below 20 Wh from production to delivery to customers. After the iPhone is activated, this limit will be removed and users can use the entire battery capacity.
iPhone 18 Pro Maxs that have not been activated or are still in the box do not need to perform this additional operation, because the battery capacity has been limited to below 20 Wh.
For iPhone 18 Pro Max that needs to be shipped for repair, exchange, or other purposes, users must use the "Prepare for shipping" feature. This feature will drain the battery below 20 Wh and set a charging limit to maintain battery levels below this threshold during shipping.
Users can find this feature at Settings -> General -> Switch or Reset iPhone -> Prepare for shipping. Apple notes that the device may heat up more than usual during battery drainage.
After completion, the iPhone will display the "Ready for shipping" status in the Settings section. Users can also cancel this process at the same settings section. Depending on the case, turning off the feature may require a maximum standby time of 14 days.
Apple said that iPhone 18 Pro Max still meets safety requirements when transported by sea and air. The limit below 20 Wh is applied to meet regulations related to battery transportation. According to Apple, this is the only iPhone model with a single-cell battery exceeding the 20 Wh threshold, so this process is not necessary on other iPhone models.
