How To Clean iPhone Charging Port? 5 Ways

| Updated on January 9, 2025

Over time, the iPhone charging jack ends up collecting debris, dust, and even water. In such situations, you might end up thinking about how to clean iPhone charging port. 

We have accumulated the top five best ways to clean the charging port on an iPhone. If you are someone whose phone is in dire need of cleaning, or know someone who needs to clean their iPhone Charge Port.

Buckle up as we provide you with efficient techniques to clean iPhone charge ports and provide you some useful tips to be mindful of for a seamless removal experience. So without further delay, here is how to clean out iPhone charging port!

Cleaning With Compressed Air

Safety is the most essential thing to protect your device. For this reason, before starting any step, the first point of order is that you need to switch off your iPhone. Further, using a torch, look at the debris or dust collected in the ports. 

Once you do that, you can go ahead with these steps! In this section, we have mentioned how do you clean iPhone charger port using compressed air. 

  1. Hold your phone in one hand in an upright position. 
  1. With your other hand, grip a hand pump. 
    Cleaning iPhone with Compressed Air
  1. Now, gently blow into the charging jack.
  1. Re-examine with a torch.
  1. Repeat the same steps to clean away the dust particles completely.

This works well for pet hair, dust, lint, and other light particles. 

Making Use of a Toothpick

The second method on our list is by making use of a toothpick. In this method, you need to aim very carefully, since the inner part of the jack is highly susceptible to damage. To clean using a toothpick, 

  1. In one hand, tightly grip your device. 
  1. Sideswipe your toothpick in the jack with little to no pressure.
    Making use of a toothpick to clean iPhone charging jack
  1. Using another cloth, wipe the debris that got on the toothpick.
  1. Again, do the same process until the entire gunk is out.

Oftentimes a lot of the dust is hidden in the side walls, so we suggest you scrape them with a toothpick. Be extra careful around the anchors, as you want to avoid chipping the toothpick and having wooden pieces stuck.

Is your iPhone still not charging post-cleaning? Then we recommend you try our next method.

With the Help of Toothbrush or Cloth

Having a toothbrush or cloth to clean away your device is also an easier way to reach and handle the deep surfaces of the iPhone charging ports. For the cleaning iPhone charge port, 

  1. Hold your phone firmly in one hand. 
  1. Move the toothbrush back and forward until the debris falls off or gets attached to the bristles.
    Cleaning jack with the help of a toothbrush or cloth
  1. If not this method, you can use a damp microfiber cloth along with a lens cleaner solution.
  1. Plug your iPhone into the charging port to see whether the device is charging.

This way, you can easily get rid of all the debris and gunk using a toothbrush or damp towel. However, it’s beneficial to keep in mind that the cloth must be of microfiber and shouldn’t be too watery, or it can end up damaging your device. 

Using the Hot Glue Method

The hot glue method is very unconventional, and if not done in the right way, it can end up damaging the device completely. This method was popularized on the social media platform TikTok to clean iPhone charging ports with ease and efficiency. 

  1. Take the hot glue and fill the inside with the charging jack.
  1. Let the glue dry out.
    Using the hot glue method to clean iPhone jack
  1. Now, with a pin or something to pull out the glue and gunk.
  1. Once done, check the port again with a torch. 
  1. Repeat the same procedure until the whole port is cleared up. 

We advise highly against this method, as it can end up burning your skin, pulling pins out of your connector, and clogging the glue even further inside. Moreover, if you want to perform this, ensure you are under the supervision of an expert. 

Cleaning Charging Port With Rubbing Alcohol

Another unorthodox way to clean iPhone charging port is by making use of rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs. We discourage this method, as it is not mentioned under the ethical ways of cleaning your phone by Apple. To perform this, 

  1. Slightly dip the cotton swap in rubbing alcohol. 
    Cleaning iPhone charging port using cotton swab
  1. Now, rub it along the inner edges of the charging jack.
  1. Keep performing this until the thick layer of the lint or dust is easily removed. 

This way, you can easily get rid of persistent dust particles and lint that have accumulated over the years. Moreover, you can make use of this to remove rust from your charging port. 

These methods require precision and proper lab-level protection before application, and they’re highly effective for removing rust, debris, dust, fur, etc. from the coils of your iPhone port. These methods are a huge thumbs up if you are under an expert’s guidance.

Best Way to Clean Water from Charging Port iPhone

In cases where even after trying everything to clean iPhone charging port, the device is unable to get charged. This means that there is a possibility that some kind of liquid (possibly water) has entered the jack. If you are in such a situation, the best thing you can do is, 

  1. Leave your mobile to stand in an upright position on a surface.
  2. Ensure the surface you are putting it on is dry, and there are no traces of moisture.

This way you will be able to clean the jack if there has been water insertion. However, we advise taking your device to a service center. Moreover, if your device has been exposed to water, upon charging the device.

Why is the Charger Port on my iPhone Not Working?

Here is a breakdown of all the reasons why your iPhone port isn’t working: 

  • The device is exposed to water or some liquid.
  • There has been some damage to the coils. 
  • The charging cable is damaged or not supported on your device.
  • It is clogged with debris, dust, lint, and other animal fur.
  • The power outlet has some kind of issue or problem with it.
  • There is pending software on your device.

These things can affect your charging jack not working efficiently. 

Tools to Use and Avoid for Cleaning iPhone Charge Port

A mobile device is extremely delicate, and making use of anything for cleaning the socket can lead to your device not working or getting a bigger threat of acute damage. For this reason, we have accumulated numerous things that you must avoid as well as make use of for cleaning the iPhone charge port. 

Tools to useThings to avoid
Cotton swabsSafety pins
Microfiber clothSewing pins
ToothpicksEarrings
Compressed airAnything with moisture or liquid.
Hot glueNeedle
Soft clothsMetallic sharp materials

Now you are aware of all the things that you must avoid for getting your phone cleaned, as they can lead you to having a bigger problem. Keep reading to learn about some useful procedures for cleaning the iPhone jack. 

Essential Tips to Note When Cleaning the Charge Jack of an iPhone 

Here are a few tips that you should make use of after taking the required steps provided by us to clean the charging jack.

  • Buy an iPhone case that also covers a charging jack so that the port is not filled with lint and debris.
  • In frequent intervals, clean your ports all through, ensuring there aren’t any dust left inside.
  • If you have used anything in liquid form, make sure the surface of the jack is dried out before you plug it into charging.
  • Blowing air into the ports can cause debris and dust to get clogged into the port; for this reason, only make use of compressed air.
  • If your phone gets heated up when plugged in for charging, you can try removing the case in those situations. 

Wrapping Up

Cleaning iPhone charge port becomes an absolute necessity when a persistent layer of debris, dust, pet fur, etc. gets attached to the edge of the charging jack. Making use of the above listed five ways will assist you in navigating around the how to clean iPhone charging port with ease. 

Moreover, we suggest the best way to clean charging port iPhone is to get it done by the professionals at your nearest Apple service store.

Happy Cleanin’🧹📱

Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if my phone is plugged in but not charging?

In situations where your charging port isn’t working on your system, you must remove the phone from charging. Then make use of a toothpick, toothbrush, cloth, rubbing alcohol, etc. to remove the persistent dust, debris, and other particles.

How to clean the iPhone charging port without damaging it?

For cleaning your iPhone charging jack without damaging the socket, you can use a microfiber cloth, a toothbrush, a toothpick, and compressed air.

Does Apple clean the charging port for free?

Cleaning the charging jack of your device at an Apple Store might cost you a bit of money. However, it is better to get it cleaned by Apple professionals than get the entire thing cleaned yourself.

Can Apple replace the charging jack?

Yes, you can get your charging port replaced by Apple. It can be free of charge if it is under warranty. Otherwise, they will charge you according to the labor charges and model of your device.

Matt Rooke

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