How To Clean iPhone Charging Port?- (Avoid These Mistakes..!)

The lightning port of an iPhone attracts debris from our jeans pocket or even couch and mattress.

Once a layer of dust is formed around the inside wall of the lightning port, which stops your iPhone from charging or may face intermittent or slow charging issues.

Is your iPhone isn’t charging or charging very slowly? A layer of dust and debris might be blocking the current flow.

You can clean your iPhone’s charging port without damaging it. Just be gentle and follow the correct procedure written in this tutorial.

Why is My iPhone Charging Port Dirty?

A common reason a smartphone charging port clogs is dust and debris in our jeans pocket or dust on the couch or bed. Also, moisture and dust particles in the air accumulate around the inside wall of the charging phone, which prevents the current flow. As a result, our smartphone battery won’t charge.

It is often noticed that Apple’s lightning port gets clogged with dust and debris, and the device charges slowly.

It’s always recommended to put your iPhone on a clean surface and clean it regularly with soft fabric and alcohol-based cleaner.

Also Read: How To Fix iPhone 13 Pro Max Not Charging

How To Clean an iPhone Charging Port Without Breaking It

You need a LED torch or bright bulb to inspect the charging port visually. If you notice any dust particles inside the wall of the lightning port, follow these methods to clean it-

1- Power OFF Your iPhone

Before proceeding to the cleaning process, you should ensure that your iPhone is powered off. Because touching any hardware parts on your iPhone could lead to a motherboard fault.

Follow these steps to power off your iPhone-

Method #1

Press and hold Power and Volume Up buttons together for 3 seconds.
Right swipe the Power Off Slider.
Wait for 10 seconds, and your iPhone will be powered off.

Method #2

Go to Settings.
Tap on General.
Scroll down and tap on Shut Down.
Now swipe right on the Power Off slider.

2- Use Toothpick

The easiest way to remove debris from your lightning port is with a toothpick. However, you have to be very gentle and careful while removing any stuck debris from your iPhone charging port.

Simply put the toothpick inside Apple’s lightning port and remove the dust and debris out of it.

Be careful while removing iPhone’s charging port dust with a toothpick, and ensure you don’t apply force while cleaning it.

Also Read: How To Fix iPhone That Won’t Charge Past 80

Very Important: Do not insert any metal object inside the charging port, otherwise it will damage your port or even the motherboard.

3- Use Compressed Air

Now, you can use a can of compressed air to blow the dust out of your iPhone’s lightning port. Ensure you don’t apply too much pressure; otherwise, dust can enter the motherboard.

4- Use Cotton Swab and Alcohol

Once you have blown out the dust with compressed air, use a cotton swab partially dipped into rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol solution) and gently clean the inside wall of the lightning port.

5- Let it Dry

Isopropyl alcohol vaporizes quickly, but I recommend leaving your iPhone for at least 20 to 30 minutes before plugging in the charger.

Once your iPhone’s charging port dries and all alcohol is vaporized, you can charge it.

Also Read: How To Fix iPhone 12 Not Charging

How To Clean iPhone Charging Port Without Toothpick

Are you worried about cleaning your iPhone charging port with a toothpick? Don’t worry; you can use a toothbrush or cotton swab to remove debris from the charging port.

After removing debris with a toothbrush, use a canned air duster to blow out dust particles from the port.

Also Read: How To Fix iPhone 8 That Won’t Charge

How To Clean iPhone Charging With Toothbrush

Cleaning an iPhone lightning port with a toothbrush is easy. You should have a dry and clean toothbrush.

Insert the toothbrush bristles inside the lightning port and swipe the toothbrush head right. Repeat the process until your charging port is cleaned.

Now, use canned air to blow dust out of the charging port or use the corner of a handkerchief to clean out dust particles.

Also Read: 5 Methods To Fix iPhone XS Charging Issue

How To Clean iPhone Charging Port With Alcohol

Alcohol-based cleaning solutions remove stains and sticky dust easily. If your iPhone’s charging port is dirty, the easiest method to clean it is an isopropyl alcohol solution.

First, power off your iPhone and dip a corner of a handkerchief or cotton swab into an isopropyl alcohol solution. Now, gently clean the inside wall of your iPhone lightning port.

After cleaning your iPhone with an alcohol solution, leave it for 20 to 30 minutes to completely vaporize the alcohol from the port.

Also Read: How To Fix iPhone 13 Not Charging

Can You Clean iPhone Charging Port With Paperclip?

Don’t insert metals like a paperclip, sim ejector tool, wires, knife, or hard objects in your iPhone lightning port. Metal objects are hard and sharp, while lightning port charging pins are made from copper and other soft material. If you insert a paperclip or any metal object, it may damage your lightning port.

Also Read: How To Fix iPhone 11 Not Charging

Conclusion

It’s easy to clean an iPhone lightning port at home, but you should be careful. Always be gentle while removing debris from your iPhone charging port. If your phone still doesn’t charge, take it to the nearest Apple care for repair.