# Apple's battery trick beats shipping rules

> The iPhone 18 Pro Max uses firmware to stay under shipping limits until you turn it on.
- Title: Apple's battery trick beats shipping rules · The Verge
- Summary: The iPhone 18 Pro Max uses firmware to stay under shipping limits until you turn it on. Apple solved a battery shipping problem with software that locks…
- Keywords: apple, iphone 18 pro max, battery, shipping regulations, firmware, international shipping, battery capacity, device activation, technology, culture, Apple's, trick
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/tech/998144/apple-iphone-18-pro-max-battery-firmware-limit
- Author: Jess Weatherbed
- Published: 2026-09-21T12:37:27+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apple, iphone 18 pro max, battery, shipping regulations, firmware, international shipping, battery capacity, device activation, technology, culture
## Apple's battery shipping workaround
The iPhone 18 Pro Max uses a firmware lock to keep battery capacity below the 20Wh international shipping limit, then automatically removes it when you first turn on the phone.

> battery-firmware solution
## Battery capacity after activation
Once activated, the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches its full rated capacity of 21.75Wh for US eSIM models and 21.06Wh for European models with physical SIM slots.
## Prepare to Ship feature
If you need to send your iPhone for repair or resale, the Prepare to Ship feature in settings caps charging to 80 percent for 14 days, restoring the shipping-safe firmware lock.
## How to access Prepare to Ship
Open General settings, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone, then select Prepare to Ship. The feature can be disabled anytime by returning to the same menu.
## Why this matters for phones
Apple's firmware approach is more efficient than Android makers' typical solution of using smaller dual-cell batteries, which take up more physical space and cost more to produce.
## Key takeaway

Apple solved a battery shipping problem with software that locks capacity during transit, then unlocks it automatically when activated.