Cleaning iPhone charging port with Toothpick...Doesnt fit!

Zachyy wrote:

I have always suggested others when their iPhone doesn't charge to clean out their charging port with a wooden toothpick, and I just recently decided to try it out for myself, and to my surprise it didn't fit. Is there something I'm doing wrong or...it just doesn't hit the bottom of the port.

The USB-C port on your iPhone is smaller than the Lightning ports on older models. Toothpicks work find in Lightning ports, but you need something smaller, such as IdrisSeabright suggested, for USB-C ports. OTOH, the smaller USB-C ports shouldn’t need much cleaning.

Should fit in a lightning port. USB C has a 'thing' in the middle that may prevent a toothpick from fitting.

You can get thick, thin or even flat toothpicks. To clean a USB C port, it would have to a very thin toothpick.

Something like this would likely work: https://www.amazon.com/Exceart-Toothpick-Double-Head-Toothpicks-Interdental/dp/B088327X7L/ref=sr_1_41?sr=8-41

I've used these in the past:

GUM Soft-Picks Original (Amazon)

With an unused toothbrush.

How thick is the toothpick?

I’ve been using MagSafe for many wonderful years and that would be a possible solution when answering those questions.

Think of the benefits of MagSafe:

• Slower charging is better for battery health.
• Avoids damage to the port.
• Prevents costly repairs.

If you can think of other benefits, let me know! 😉

They should work. Personally, I've never had to clean the charging port. I rarely, if ever, plug my phone in to charge (I went MagSafe long ago) and I NEVER carry my phone in my pocket, so no dirt gets in the port.

I have a silicone 'plug' in the USB-C port of my phone (and my wife's as well).

Neither one of us have any real need to plug them into anything. MagSafe and qi chargers take care of charging and we have wireless CarPlay in both cars.

KiltedTim wrote:

I have a silicone 'plug' in the USB-C port of my phone (and my wife's as well).

Neither one of us have any real need to plug them into anything. MagSafe and qi chargers take care of charging and we have wireless CarPlay in both cars.

That's a good idea. Neither of us ever plug our phones in to charge. And neither of us carry them in a pocket. So it would be good to just cover the plug, since it's never used for anything anyway.

lobsterghost1 wrote:

They should work. Personally, I've never had to clean the charging port. I rarely, if ever, plug my phone in to charge (I went MagSafe long ago) and I NEVER carry my phone in my pocket, so no dirt gets in the port.

I don't have the issue myself. But, every time my brother comes to visit, I have to clean out the micro-USB port on his flip phone.

Smilin-Brian wrote:

I’ve been using MagSafe for many wonderful years and that would be a possible solution when answering those questions.

Think of the benefits of MagSafe:•

Slower charging is better for battery health.

I have seen no evidence or documentation that confirms that. And MagSafe generates more heat, which is not good for battery health. As MagSafe requires a 30 watt source, and wired requires only a 20 watt source, MagSafe charging wastes 10 watts, and thus is only 66% efficient.

• Avoids damage to the port.

• Prevents costly repairs.

If you can think of other benefits, let me know! 😉

Sure. MagSafe uses more energy for the same amount of charge, so it supports the fossil fuel industry.😏

Lawrence Finch wrote:

As MagSafe requires a 30 watt source

My MagSafe charger uses a 20W USB-C Power Adapter.

As someone who has worked in a lab assembling Li Ion batteries, I can assure you that slow charging is better for the battery health (I know because I specifically asked).