How To Clean A Charging Port On A Phone

IS your iPhone Lightning port seriously grubby? It's probably time you gave it a clean.

But don't be hasty: it's a delicate task as you'll want to avoid causing any damage to the iPhone.

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It's important to keep your iPhone in tip-top condition Credit: Apple

After all, if you mess with the Lightning port, you could end up making it impossible to charge your iPhone.

And a severe cleaning blunder could even totally break your expensive smartphone.

Of course, debris lodged in your Lightning port can cause issues – including preventing you from charging.

One simple option is to try gently tapping the device.

Sometimes a little wiggle or tap is all you need to dislodge a bit of dirt or grime from the Lightning port.

Just don't do it too hard or you could cause damage to the device.

Another option is to gentle insert the corner of a microfibre cloth into the port and give it a little rub.

It needs to be a lint-free lens-style cloth that won't cause any abrasive damage.

The cloth should also be totally dry, and shouldn't be used recently after charging – so that the iPhone isn't warm.

And make sure to avoid applying any pressure, or you could jam debris into the connector.

A more heavy duty option would be to use a can of compressed air – the same kind you'd use to clean the insides of a desktop PC.

It needs to be strictly compressed air only – and not a fluid-based cleansing solution.

Similarly, you could deliver a short sharp blow to the Lightning port – just like if you were trying to de-dust a games cartridge in the late '90s.

Just be careful not to blow any spittle into the port.

Importantly, you should never "wash" the Lightning port, even if you've got a water-resistant iPhone model.

Apple warns: "Do not use liquids or cleaning products when cleaning the Lightning connector."

Don't try to jam hard objects in there either.

Apple says: "Do not dry your iPhone using an external heat source or insert a foreign object into the Lightning connector such as a cotton swab or a paper towel."

If you're having real issues with the Lightning connector, you can also take the iPhone to an Apple Store for in-person advice.

Several iPhone owners have reported Apple Store staff cleaning their Lightning ports for free.

Don't ever use water to clean the Lightning port on your iPhone Credit: Apple

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