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

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.

iPhone 16 Pro Max, 18

Posted on Mar 26, 2025 10:58 AM

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Posted on Mar 26, 2025 2:22 PM

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.😏

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Mar 26, 2025 2:22 PM in response to Smilin-Brian

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.😏

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Mar 26, 2025 3:32 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

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).

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Mar 26, 2025 4:53 PM in response to Zachyy

That’s why I don’t follow others.


I have found that the best posts always come to my attention.


I am lucky to have discovered you Zachyy.


You have more user-tips at Level 5 than I have ever seen.


Most of my user-tips involve the Terminal.


I foresee you will become one of the greatest volunteers we have ever had.

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Mar 26, 2025 5:43 PM in response to Smilin-Brian

Smilin-Brian wrote:

That’s why I don’t follow others.

I have found that the best posts always come to my attention.

I am lucky to have discovered you Zachyy.

You have more user-tips at Level 5 than I have ever seen.

Most of my user-tips involve the Terminal.

I foresee you will become one of the greatest volunteers we have ever had.

Your note and kind words are very inspiring Smilin-Brian, thank you so much for that. I hope to be here in the long run.

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Mar 26, 2025 1:54 PM in response to Zachyy

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! 😉

Reply

Mar 26, 2025 1:55 PM in response to Smilin-Brian

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.
• Avoids damage to the port.
• Prevents costly repairs.

If you can think of other benefits, let me know! 😉
  • Easy and convenient charging
  • 100% Reliable
  • If and if you happen to decide to sell your iPhone, you can say the charging port was unused.
Reply

Mar 26, 2025 11:17 AM in response to Zachyy

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

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Mar 26, 2025 12:18 PM in response to KiltedTim

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.

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Mar 26, 2025 1:22 PM in response to Zachyy

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.

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Mar 26, 2025 1:30 PM in response to lobsterghost1

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.

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Mar 26, 2025 1:48 PM in response to Zachyy

Neither have I ever had to clean my charging port. But I do frequently see posts here in the Community about user's iPhone's not charging, so I always suggest that. Now that I recall, most of them were lightning cable iPhones...


I only charge with MagSafe either way and my charging port has never been used on my 16 Pro Max.


Thanks everyone for the feedback and discussion.

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

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