How to Clean the Charging Port on Your iPhone

Nothing is worse than waking up in the morning and finding your battery dead. But why is your iPhone not charging properly? Sometimes, this can result from a dirty charging port, where dirt or debris blocks the connection between your charger and your phone. A clean charging port ensures connection, power flow, and phone usability.

You must recognise the signs of a dirty charging port and know how to clean it effectively. Cleaning it improperly could result in damage that will render your charging port useless, so it’s best to know the proper steps before cleaning it. 

Signs Your iPhone’s Charging Port Needs Cleaning

Slow Performance

If your device suffers from slow performance, your charging port may need cleaning. It might not seem the most obvious first step; however, debris and dust can interfere with your iPhone’s internal components, which can collect in the charging port. If your device is running slowly or freezing, then it’s time to try cleaning.

Overheating

Remember that overheated devices are dangerous, particularly in homes and airplane cabins, and it's essential to avoid them whenever possible. What’s less known is that the dirt in your charging port might act as an insulator; the dirt traps the heat your device generates, thus preventing efficient cooling. 

Quick-Draining Battery 

If your phone is overheating, your device has to work harder to function, which will reduce its battery life, which is noticeable to you. If your battery drains faster than usual, checking the charging port is essential. 

Visible Obstruction

If you look in your charging port and see a visible obstruction, such as dirt, dust, or debris, it’s important to clean it out carefully so as not to cause further damage. It’s best to set aside time to do this properly and not stick anything in the port to remove the obstruction as quickly as possible. 

Safe Cleaning Tools & Precautions

Before you start poking things into the charging port, it’s essential to know what not to do. It’s always better to avoid blowing into the charging port first. It might seem like the quick and easy solution, but it’s a potential hazard; moisture from your mouth might enter your port when you do this and cause more damage to the charging contacts. 

Likewise, it might be tempting to scrape out the dirt with a fork prong or a pen tip, but metal is likely to damage your phone's charging port, so always avoid using metal devices when cleaning. Some advise avoiding using manual toothbrushes as the bristles might get stuck. However, you can use a toothbrush if you don’t have other resources, as long as you are careful. 

And finally, when going through the process, you should stop if you feel you’re forcing something into the port. You could damage the components of the port without meaning to, which will be a costly repair if you aren’t careful. 

iPhone Charging Port Cleaning Process: Step-by-Step

1. Turn off Your Phone

Before you begin cleaning, you need to turn off your phone. This will help lessen the chances of damaging your phone while you clean it. Then, find a clean work surface to remove the dirt and dust so you don’t risk more dirt or dust entering your charging port.

2. Inspect the Charging Port

The next step is to ensure the charging port is as good as possible. Use a torch to check the inside for obvious obstructions or signs of dirt, dust, or debris. You should check this first and throughout the cleaning process. 

3. Remove Dirt With Compressed Air

Don’t blow into the charging port with your mouth. Instead, use compressed air to blow into the area, hopefully removing any significant blockages quickly. You can use a dust blower or a can of compressed air to help you do this. Just ensure that if you’re using a can, you hold it upright, avoiding moisture entering the port. You should only need a few bursts of air, as this isn’t a large area to clean. 

If you reinspect your port and find that the obstruction signs are cleared at this stage, you can try plugging your iPhone into the charger again. If it’s charging well, then the obstruction is likely gone. However, if it’s not charging efficiently or you want a more thorough clean, continue the process.

4. Remove (Remaining) Dirt With a Toothbrush

If you don’t have compressed air, removing the obstructions is difficult. In this case, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove the debris from the area or remove excess dirt after using compressed air. Ensure this is a soft-bristled toothbrush so the bristles are not trapped in the area. 

To do this, insert the head of the toothbrush and move it around gently in circles. Be careful as you remove the dirt and dust. These two methods may help your phone charge efficiently at this point, so try it again before moving on.

5. Clean the Port With Isopropyl Alcohol

If your charging point needs an added clean, it’s best to use isopropyl alcohol and no other liquid forms. Put a few drops of the alcohol on a cotton swab and gently insert the swab into the port. Slide it back and forth to remove any final remnants of dirt. Ensure you leave enough time for the alcohol to evaporate before using or testing your iPhone. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Inserting metal objects, such as paper clips, pens, and forks, to remove the dirt

• Using liquids like water or solvents to clean the port

• Using your mouth to blow the dirt or dust out, causing the insertion of moisture

• Using excessive force when removing dirt or cleaning with alcohol, even when using “safe to use” tools

• Using a stiff-bristled toothbrush instead of a soft-bristled toothbrush, which can cause the bristles to get stuck

Preventive Tips for a Clean Charging Port

1. Keep Your Hands Clean

Keeping your hands clean is a great way to ensure dust or dirt doesn’t accidentally enter your charging port. With 1 in 5 Americans forgetting to wash their hands, it’s easy to see how dirt or germs can be spread onto a phone. 

2. Use Dust Plugs/Covers

Dust plugs are a good solution when looking for ways to combat the spread of debris or dirt. These small iPhone accessories block dust or dirt from entering the port by being a physical obstruction. While it’s not free, removing unwanted dirt is an effective way. 

3. Store and Carry in Clean Locations

Storing or carrying your phone in a clean location is crucial; if you carry your iPhone in your purse or bag and it has sand, crumbs, dirt (to name a few), then these small pieces of debris might enter the area and cause obstructions or damage. That’s why keeping your bags clean and the areas you charge your phone, such as your bedroom, free from dirt and dust is best. It’s best to do this through regular cleaning. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can I Use to Clean My iPhone’s Charging Port?

Depending on how thorough the cleaning needs to be, you can use different tools, such as compressed air, soft-bristled toothbrushes, and cotton swabs. However, it’s crucial that you don’t use sharp or metal objects, such as paper clips or pins, as doing so could damage your charging port.

Clean Ports Support Charging, Device Safety, and Long-Term Performance

Ultimately, you want to get your iPhone back to proper working order, especially if you notice symptoms or dirt in your charging port. But it's equally vital that you clean carefully and without using hazardous objects to avoid damaging your device. No matter how often you clean, you must protect your phone overall by investing in a top-quality protective case, and with Casely, you don't have to sacrifice style either. Discover Casely's range of iPhone cases today and start protecting your device from the get-go.