How to Clean Your iPhone's Charging Port in 6 Easy Steps (2024)

• Always make sure your phone is powered off before cleaning.
• Use compressed air to gently spray the port with quick bursts.
• Use a sharp object such as a toothpick or push pin to scrape debris from the port walls.

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1. 1

   Power down your iPhone or iPad. To do this, press and hold the power button that's on either the top or side edge, and then drag the on-screen slider to the Off position.^[1]

   • You can also take this opportunity to clean your phone case or phone speaker.
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   Shine a flashlight into the Lightning port. You'll usually be able to spot a blockage with the right lighting.

   • Closely inspect the walls inside of the port. If there's a layer of gunky buildup around the edges, it could prevent the charging cable from making proper contact with the inside pins.

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   See Also

   How to clean a phone charging portStep-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Charger Port on iPhone?Moisture in water-resistant Samsung phone or tablet's charging portHow to Clean a Charger Port: iPhones, Androids, & Others

   3

   Spray the port with quick bursts of compressed air. A can of compressed air is often enough to free looser particles (such as dust, pet fur, or lint) from the port. Use short, light bursts rather than one lengthy spray.^[2]

   • Use your flashlight to re-inspect the port. If you no longer see debris, give the port 2 to 3 minutes to dry before attempting to charge your iPhone or iPad.
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   Scrape the walls of the port with a toothpick. If the port is clogged with dust or lint clumps, a quick gentle swipe or two should free the trapped particles. If there's a layer of gunk or grime caked along the walls, gently scrape around the edges to dislodge it.^[3]

   • If you don't have a toothpick, you can use another thin, sharp object such as a safety pin or push pin.
   • The Lightning port is filled with many small electronic pins—too rough of a scrape could cause irreparable damage. Try wrapping the end of the toothpick with a small amount of cotton for extra padding.
   • If you've identified a build-up on the inner walls, you may need firmer tool than a toothpick. Try a plastic dental flosser.
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   Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol for tougher jobs. If the substance in the port feels sticky and/or is hard to remove with a dry tool, dip a cotton swab in a small amount of rubbing alcohol, and then gently swab around the inner edges.^[4] Circle the swab around the edges as many times as it takes to remove all residue.

   • Allow the port to dry for 2 to 3 minutes before turning your iPhone or iPad back on.
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   Attempt to charge the iPhone or iPad. If you were experiencing a charging issue related to a dirty port, you should be in good shape now. To prevent build-up from accumulating in your Lightning port in the future, avoid carrying your phone or tablet loose in a pocket or purse.

   • If the phone or tablet isn't charging (or the charging process stops and starts randomly), try a different Lightning cable and/or power source.
   • If cleaning the port and swapping cables doesn't solve the issue, contact Apple for repair. Visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/106932 to find Apple support phone number for your region.

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Co-authors: 4

Updated: August 19, 2024

Views:281,866

Categories: Featured Articles | IPhone

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