6 Quick Steps to Clean Your iPhone's Lightning Port

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Keep your lightning port functioning properly with regular cleaning

Co-authored by Shavo Hacopian and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: August 19, 2024 Fact Checked

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If you're experiencing intermittent issues while charging your iPhone or iPad, your Lightning port could be clogged with dirt or dust. Luckily, you can use common household items such as a toothpick, cotton swab, or compressed air. This wikiHow will show you how to clean out and safely remove dust, lint, and other particles from the charging port of your iPad and iPhone 13, 12, or earlier using common household items.

Things You Should Know

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.

Steps

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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]
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- You can also take this opportunity to clean your phone case or phone speaker.
2
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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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]
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- 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.
4
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]
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- 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.
5
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]
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- Allow the port to dry for 2 to 3 minutes before turning your iPhone or iPad back on.
6
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.

Community Q&A

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Question

If my iPhone is charging fine but my port is dirty, should I clean it, or just leave it as is?

Rupert

Top Answerer

It's always best practice to ensure the charging port is clean and free from debris to ensure maximum charging efficiency and reduce the chances of a fire (although this is extremely low).

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Question

How can I clean my screen protector?

Rupert

Top Answerer

Wipe off your screen protector with a dry cloth in a circular motion. Use a microfiber cloth or a soft towel to avoid scratching the screen protector. Usually, this will be enough to remove fingerprints, dust and any other debris that has built up. For extra stubborn grime, ensure your phone is powered off, and apply a small amount of plain water to your cloth and repeat the process. Never spray water directly on the screen, as this can damage electrical components inside the phone.

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Question

Is the Lighting Port on the iPhone the same as the charging port?

Rupert

Top Answerer

Yes, the 'Lightning Port' is Apple's proprietary name for their charging technology, but it's really just a technical term for the charging port in the middle of the bottom of your iPhone. On iPhone 7 and greater, the Lightning Port is the only port on the entire phone.

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