How to clean iPhone charging port? With years of using your iPhone in every situation and location, it will inevitably become covered in lint, dust, candy pieces, and whatever else accumulates in your pockets and purses. If the result is a problem charging your phone, you may need to clean it to remove dust, dirt, or metal and plastic fragments that have accumulated over time. It does not help that it plugs in even more tightly each time the cord is plugged in.
If your iPhone lacks a charging port, then it’s as good as dead, which means you need to perform regular maintenance as well as set procedures to keep it functioning. In order to ensure your phone operates as it should, we outlined a few steps you can take to remove harmful materials from the connector bay. It is also possible to use these techniques on any device of similar construction such as a smartphone or tablet. Use a flashlight to illuminate as much of the inside of the port as possible before attempting any repairs. Unplug your phone and turn it off completely before you begin.
How to clean iPhone Charging Port?
Use compressed air
While Apple explicitly advises against using compressed air for cleaning your phone, many people are going to do it anyway, so we’ve provided instructions that emphasize how to do it safely. A charging port on your phone has delicate contact points – tiny strips of metal – where the charging cable needs to dock, so you should approach such components carefully. No matter how clean you try to make the charger, if the contact points are damaged, it won’t work. When the anchors are damaged on either side, the cable won’t lock-in, which poses a serious problem. When that happens, the only option is for a professional to replace the charging port, which is both costly and time-consuming – and may not even resolve the problem. This is why taking extreme precautions is the first step. You should clean your charging port as best you can without touching or sticking anything inside it.
Compressed air is also one of the best options for unclogging the iPhone port. Hold the port upright, but not too tight, and don’t try to stick the nozzle inside; all those delicate parts need to be protected. Be concise and light with the spraying. Wet, hot air from your mouth is not good for the port or its contact points. Avoid blowing into the port yourself. Wait a few seconds after you’ve blown a blast of air into the port, then try connecting your charging cable again and see if it’s detected. It should be working again if the air dislodges any dust or debris stuck in the port.
Use a toothpick — very carefully
Even a spritz or two of compressed air can’t always do the trick. A build-up of grime inside the port may prevent air alone from dislodging it, or perhaps there is some invasive particle lodged there that cannot be easily removed. It may be worth trying to dig about a little bit inside the charging port yourself using a tiny toothpick if that is the case. Once again, all the dangers we just discussed still apply, so be cautious and the patient is essential. Since wood is softer and more flexible than plastic or wire-like paper clips, it is best to use a toothpick instead. If you want to soften the edge, even more, you can cushion the tip with a bit of a cotton pad, but not too much.
Make sure you have good lightings, such as under a desk lamp or flashlight, and your iPhone is turned off. The tip of a toothpick should be lightly inserted into the charging port, and it should be gently wiggled around. The toothpick should be untouched by any pressure at first; if no particles or grime are coming free, you can exert the lightest pressure for a soft scrape. If you apply more pressure, chances are you’ll permanently damage the port.
You should try to avoid damaging the anchors by staying away from the side of the port. Stop using the toothpick if you see it picking up grime or knocking out debris. If you can, switch to canned air. Make sure your cable is working again.
Sticky notes or manual air blowers can be used
If you are not comfortable with toothpicks, you can use a Post-It to gently access the inside of the port. Simply cut a narrow strip wider than the port, use the sticky side to access it, and try to lure dust and dirt out. Due to the mild nature of the sticky part, there’s less risk of damage to items.
Additionally, you can use a manual air blower, such as those used to clean camera lenses. As well as blowing air, they are also powered by chemically-based electronic forces. Cleaning a clogged smartphone port is easy with the Adxco cleaning kit, which includes a variety of tools.
Let the pros handle it
This is always the best option if you have an Apple Store nearby and are willing to make the trip. Experienced employees know how to clean out the charging port safely and have the right tools – like cute little vacuum cleaners – to do the job right. Best of all, an Apple Store should clean your port for free and get you back to using your iPhone.
The nearest Apple Store may not be near you. However, you can take your phone to a repair shop, jewelry store, or business that specializes in mobile devices or equipment. They will be able to help you. The service isn’t guaranteed to be free, but when it comes to delicate components, your iPhone is typically better off in the hands of a professional, even if you have to pay for it.
It can be frustrating when your charger port stops working, but there is an alternative. It is always possible to switch to wireless charging, although a cable connection is necessary for any big data transfer.
