A method is provided for forming a negative electrode for a lithium-ion cell. The method include the steps of: carrying out first constant-current charging with a first charging current until a first half-cell potential with regard to a reference electrode is reached; carrying out first constant-voltage charging at the first half-cell potential with regard to the reference electrode until a second charging current is reached; carrying out AC voltage excitation or alternating current excitation over a frequency time period; carrying out second constant-current charging with a third charging current until a second half-cell potential with regard to the reference electrode is reached; and carrying out second constant-voltage charging at the second half-cell potential with regard to the reference electrode until a final charging current is reached or until a maximum constant-voltage charging duration is reached.