All iPhone users need to know how to clean an iPhone’s charging port. While other areas of this phone are regularly cleaned, such as the screen and phone case, the charging port is often overlooked.
This is by no means an area which needs cleaning all the time, but if you don’t do it, eventually dust, debris and all kinds of gunk can build up in there which will ultimately result in your iPhone failing to charge.
Here’s how to clean an iPhone’s charging port so you can get it charging once again.
Why is my iPhone’s charging port dirty?
There are all sorts of lint and debris that can get caught up in the recesses. Every time you plug in your charger, this dust also gets pushed further into the port and so it will inevitably build up.
How to clean your iPhone’s charging port
To clean your iPhone charging port, You will need a flashlight, or work under a bright LED desk lamp the brighter the better, since you need to see deep into the charging port.
Note: Do not try to clean the charging port with anything harder than wood, like any sort of pin or metal rod. There are delicate electronics in the port, and ramming it with a sharp metal pin can permanently damage it.
Below are steps on how to clean your iPhone charging port:
1. Firstly, Switch off your iPhone completely if you haven’t do so.
2. Next, get a flashlight and have a look at what you’re dealing with. It’s a good idea to do this after each step as well so you can see your progress.
3. Holding the compressed air can upright (so it only blasts air, and doesn’t expel wet propellent) shoot a few short, controlled bursts into the port.
4. Switch on your phone and try to charge it again. If it’s still not working, it’s time to try the toothpick.
5. Again, with your phone turned off, insert the toothpick gently into the port and lightly scrape it against the inside wall of the port. But you must do so very carefully as the charging point is easily susceptible to damage. If you break anything, its charging days will be over permanently.
6. After using the toothpick for a while, give the port another burst of compressed air to help remove anything you’ve loosened.
7. If you push some dirt out, turn the phone back on and try to charge it.
If it works, congratulations you’re back in business. But if it doesn’t work, You can continue this cycle of cleaning until the iPhone responds. If there’s no luck, you will need to take it to an Apple service center.
How to get water out of your iPhone’s charging port
If you get a notification that there is water in your iPhone’s charging port, unplug all accessories and tap it on your hand with the port facing down.
To completely dry the port, leave the phone in a dry area with decent airflow.