How to clean an iPhone’s charging port without breaking it

iPhone charging port
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you own an iPhone, sooner or later you will need to learn how to clean an iPhone’s charging port. Our phones are something most of us will neglect to clean — while we may take the time to clean the screen or learn how to clean a clear phone case, the charging port in particular will get ignored. A surprising amount of gunk will collect in this opening as well. Whether your phone is loose in your pocket or sliding around your handbag, dust and debris will gradually build up in here, pushed in further with each charge.

As this continues, your iPhone will eventually struggle to charge. It’s at this point that you have no choice, but to clean the charging port. This is quite an unnerving chore, and for good reason — if you break this fragile component, you risk irreparably damaging your iPhone, much like learning how to clean iPhone speakers. Worry not though, we’re here to help. We’ve broken down how to clean an iPhone’s charging port step-by-step. With care, patience and the right tools, you can get your iPhone charging and functioning as new again. 

Why is my iPhone's charging port dirty? 

You might question how so much gunk has actually built up in your charging port in the first place. It’s not surprising really when you consider that most of us carry our phones around in our pockets and bags.  

What you will need

Flashlight

Toothpicks  

Compressed air (optional) 

Here, there’s 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

 

1. First things first, switch off your iPhone if you haven’t already done so. 

2. Next, grab 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. Apple doesn’t recommend using compressed air to clean iPhones. However this is a well-known, successful method, so we’ve given directions for those who choose to use it. Using a can of compressed air, such as Falcon Dust, hold it upright and give the port a few short blasts to clear away any immediate dust. Try plugging in your iPhone afterwards to see if this has fixed the problem. If not, move onto the next step.

4. You can try to dislodge any visible debris using a toothpick, but you must do so very carefully as the charging point is easily susceptible to damage. Some sites recommend wrapping a toothpick in cotton, but this can potentially add to the debris in the port, so we suggest sticking to the toothpick. 

Very gently, insert the toothpick loosely and move it from side to side to see if it picks up any immediate debris. Don’t put pressure on it at this point. If you notice debris on the toothpick, wipe it off with a dry cloth or use a fresh toothpick to continue. Continue to try plugging in the phone between movements to see if you’ve fixed the problem. 

Toothpick in iPhone charging port

(Image credit: Future)

5. If there’s still no response, gently scrape the toothpick against the port’s walls, again regularly checking the toothpick for gunk. It is essential that you only exert a very light pressure on the port as it’s so easily damaged. Stay away from the sides of the port as well, as the anchors are particularly sensitive.

6. If you’ve opted to use compressed air, you can also give the port a couple of blasts between toothpick insertions. You shouldn’t insert anything other than a toothpick as metal tools will cause damage and result in the whole port needing replacing — not ideal.

7. 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. 

If your iPhone is not charging, these tips might help you solve the problem as well. 

Chances are your iPhone's charging port isn't the only crevice filled with lint; be sure to check out our other guide on how to clean an iPhone's speakers. We also have plenty of other iPhone tutorials to help you get the most out of your Apple device, so why not start with our guides on how to save battery life on iPhone, how to identify plants on iPhone and how to change ringer volume using side buttons on iPhone.

Katie Mortram
Homes Editor

Katie looks after everything homes-related, from kitchen appliances to gardening tools. She also covers smart home products too, so is the best point of contact for any household advice! She has tested and reviewed appliances for over 6 years, so she knows what to look for when finding the best. Her favorite thing to test has to be air purifiers, as the information provided and the difference between performances is extensive.