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Published on: 26.11.2023 | updated on: 08.04.2024
Imagine your iPhone is running low on battery and is just minutes away from dying. You connect it to the charger, and nothing shows up. Now you are confused with different questions rushing into your head: is the cable faulty? Is the adaptor faulty? Is the outlet faulty? Or worse, is my iPhone charging port fried? Well, it may be none of those reasons. You can simply avoid being in such a stressful situation by keeping your iPhone clean. iPhone sometimes may not simply charge because the charging port is dirty!
In this article, we will show you how to clean the charging port on your iPhone through various methods and save you from the stress of not hearing the classical chime when the charger is plugged into the iPhone.
Dirt or debris stuck in the iPhone charging port can affect the way the iPhone charges. It may even fail to charge as debris can obstruct the cable from passing charge to the iPhone. By simply cleaning the charging port, you can not only improve the flow of charge but also ensure the charging port works efficiently for years to come.
Here are some of the best ways to clean your iPhone charging port:
● Using a toothpick
● Using compressed air
● Using a soft-bristle toothbrush
● Using a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol for sticky debris
While you can easily clean out the charging port of your device by yourself, it is important to be mindful of the tools you are using to clean the port. Compressed air or toothpicks can risk damaging small components inside the port if used without care. Therefore, in cases of excessive dirt or debris stuck in the charging port, it is wiser to consult a professional. They use special tools to safely clear dust and debris without harming your phone's delicate electronics inside the charging port.
Here is what you can do to get wax or dirt out of an iPhone charging port:
● Use a toothpick or non-metallic tool to gently scrape around the port and loosen up any wax or dirt. Do not use a sharp or metal object that could damage the port.
● Use compressed air to blow out any particles. Hold the port face down and spray short bursts of air into the port.
● Use a soft toothbrush or Q-tip dampened with rubbing alcohol to gently brush around the port. This will dissolve wax buildup.
● Let the port dry fully charging.
● If there is still dirt or wax stuck inside, visit a professional.
To clean an iPhone charging port at home, you can use the following tools:
If you do not have a toothpick available at home, you can use a Q-tip or a toothbrush to clean the charging port. If both don’t work and you want something sharper, the safest option is to use a plastic twist-tie (plastic wires used to twist around cables). Avoid using safety pins, sim-tray ejectors, or any other sharp metallic object, as it may permanently damage the charging port.
Cleaning an iPhone charging port with a toothbrush is very easy. Following are some steps to follow:
● Simply hold the toothbrush and gently push the bristles into the charging port.
● Brush away the debris.
Remember not to push too hard or stroke too aggressively, as the bristles may get stuck in the charging port, further damaging it.
Alcohol can come in handy when cleaning grime or sticky debris from the charging port. However, to use alcohol, you would need another tool: q-tips. Here is how you can use alcohol to clean the charging port with alcohol:
● Dip the Q-tip in alcohol and let the cotton absorb it.
● Ensure that the cotton is not soaking wet with alcohol, as it may damage the port.
● Once the alcohol is absorbed, gently clean the port with it in a circular motion.
The Q-tip alone may be too big to fit into the charging port and would need to be compressed and then squeezed into the charging port. Cleaning with a Q-tip is most effective when paired with rubbing alcohol and cleaning sticky debris.
Here is how to clean out the iPhone charger port with a Q-tip:
● Squeeze the cotton end of the Q-tip and gently clean the charging port.
● For sticky debris, dip the Q-tip in some alcohol and let it absorb.
● Now clean the charging port in a circular motion.
If the charging port is exposed to the water, here is what you can do:
● Stand your device against a wall or any other object so that the port is facing down.
● Any liquid will drip down the port.
● Let the port completely dry.
Here is how to clean a dirty iPhone charging port without compressed air.
Toothbrush:
● Gently insert toothbrush bristles into the port.
● Delicately clean away the dirt and debris without applying too much pressure.
Toothpick:
● Insert the toothpick into the charging port.
● Precisely scrape away the debris.
Q-tip:
● Dip the Q-tip into some rubbing alcohol and let it absorb.
● Rub the Q-tip in circular motions to clean the grime away from the charging port.
Here is how you can clean the charging port on iPhone 11:
● Inspect the charging port to examine the debris.
● Use a toothpick to gently brush out any lint or debris.
● Use compressed air to blow out any dust particles. Spray in short bursts while turning the phone to hit the port from different angles.
● Use a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol and carefully clean around the port.
● Gently brush around the port with a toothbrush.
● When done, make sure the port is completely dry before charging the phone.
Here is how to clean the charging port on iPhone 12;
● Inspect the charging port.
● Use a toothpick gently to brush out any dirt or lint.
● If possible, use compressed air to blow out dust.
● Dip a Q-tip into alcohol, and carefully clean away sticky debris around or in the port.
● Gently brush around the charging port with a soft brush.
Listed below are some steps to follow to clean the charging port on iPhone 13:
● Firstly, examine the charging port.
● Based on the debris, choose the best cleaning tool.
● Use a toothpick to clean away the lint.
● Use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust particles.
● Use a rubbing alcohol-dipped Q-tip dipped to clean sticky debris around the port.
● Gently brush around the port with a soft brush readily available.
Here are some steps to follow to clean the charging port on iPhone 14;
● Examine the charging port and choose the best cleaning tool.
● Use a toothpick to clean away the lint.
● Use compressed air to clean the dust if possible.
● Use a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol for sticky debris in the charging port.
● Gently brush off the dust from the charging port with a soft brush.
If you are unable to clean the charging port at home and ultimately have to seek professional help, the charges may vary depending on your model. For instance, it costs about $98 to repair the iPhone 12 charging port and $144 or more for the latest models.
Tweezers can damage the charging port; therefore, it is not recommended not to use them to clean the iPhone charging port.
Yes, you can use compressed air to clean your phone. Spray the air in short bursts for best results.
Yes, you can, but it is suggested not to use any sharp metallic object as it may damage the pins in the charging port. Consider using a toothpick instead.
While you can stick a needle in your charging port, do not. It will damage the charging port.
The best tool depends upon the type of debris blocking the port. Use a toothbrush for smaller debris, a toothpick for precise scraping, a Q-tip dipped in alcohol for sticky debris, and compressed air for clearing away dirt.
Here is how you can prevent the iPhone charging port issues in the future:
To ensure that your charging port lasts and works flawlessly, clean it periodically with the right tools mentioned above. Do not use any sharp or metallic objects that may damage the charging port and ultimately render the port useless. Periodic cleaning can protect you against avoidable stress and visits to the repair shop.
Tech Writer | Photographer
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
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