The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a battery in a portable electronic device. During, operation, the system monitors indicators of user behavior associated with charging and discharging of the battery in the portable electronic device by a user, wherein the indicators of user behavior can include a state-of-charge of the battery, a charging pattern associated with charging of the battery, usage of applications on the portable electronic device, a user setting on the portable electronic device, a scheduled event or alarm on the portable electronic device, a power consumption pattern on the portable electronic device, a time of day, or the location of the portable electronic device. Next, the system modifies a charging technique for the battery based on the monitored indicators of user behavior to manage at least one of a cycle life of the battery, swelling in the battery, and a runtime of the battery.