iPhone 18 Pro Max requires 'Prepare to Ship' battery drain before shipping; feature discharges battery below 20Wh to meet air travel rules

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Max introduces a 'Prepare to Ship' feature that discharges the battery to below 20 watt-hours to comply with air travel regulations. This innovative battery-firmware solution is necessary due to the device's battery capacity exceeding the threshold, which mandates additional shipping requirements.¹²³⁴

The Prepare to Ship feature can be accessed through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Prepare to Ship. Once activated, the iPhone discharges its battery to meet the 20Wh limit, ensuring safe shipping. Apple warns that the device may become “warmer than usual” during this process, but reassures users that the iPhone remains safe for air travel.⁵

Once the iPhone is activated, the battery's full capacity is restored. If users need to undo the Prepare to Ship process, they can do so in the same settings, although a 14-day waiting period may apply depending on the reason for using the feature. Apple states that no other iPhones require this procedure, as they do not have a single-cell battery exceeding 20Wh.

This feature is particularly relevant for customers shipping their iPhone 18 Pro Max for repairs or trade-ins, ensuring compliance with air travel regulations while maintaining the device's functionality.