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Resolve Charging IssuesIf you ever try charging your iPhone and it just doesn’t seem to work, don’t immediately assume there is something wrong with your iPhone. It may actually be an easy fix.

 

Verify the iPhone Isn’t Charging

You can check to see if the iPhone is really charging by looking at the battery icon in the top right corner of the home screen. When the device is plugged into a power source, there should be a lightning bolt symbol to the right of the battery to indicate the battery is charging. If the lightning bolt is not visible, your device isn’t charging.

Battery Charging

If you have a newer iPhone model that supports wireless charging, try charging it with the power cable that came with the iPhone.

 

iPhone Not Charging?

When you have confirmed the device isn’t charging, here are a few things you can try.


 

1. Check the Charging Port for Debris

If you typically carry the iPhone in your pocket, it is common for lint to build up in the charging port. Use a toothpick, toothbrush, or other electrically non-conductive item to clean out the charging port. Use a flashlight to see into the charging port to ensure nothing is interfering with the connector pins in the port. Be careful not to damage the connector pins inside the charging port.

iPhone Charging Port

 

 2. Check the Charging Cable for Damage

Check both the charging cable and the USB charging adapter for signs of damage. Make sure the connector on the charging cable is clean and firmly fits into the iPhone charging port. The charging cable could be frayed or torn. Debris can sometimes accumulate on the tip of the charging connector. Do not use damaged charging accessories.

Check the connection between the USB connector of the charging cable and the USB wall adapter. Make sure the connection is clean and the connector is undamaged.


It is not recommended to use the cheap knock-off charging cables and charging adapters. These low quality accessories may seem like inexpensive alternatives to Apple certified accessories, but they often cause charging issues.

Charging Cable and Adapter

 

3. Try a Different Charger or Wall Outlet

Try plugging the charging adapter into a different wall outlet or try using a different charging adapter. There could be an issue with the outlet or charging adapter you are using.

If you are attempting to charge your iPhone using a USB port on a computer, try switching to a different USB port on the computer. Alternatively, try charging the device from a wall outlet using a charging adapter instead of the computer.

 

4. Reset the iPhone

Performing a hard reset of the iPhone can often correct many issues. The procedure to perform a a reset will depend on the model of your device.

  • On an iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad, or iPod touch: Press and hold both the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button (on the top or side of the device) for at approximately 10 seconds. Continue to hold the buttons until you see the Apple logo appear on screen.
  • On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume Down button and Sleep/Wake (side) button for approximately 10 seconds. Continue to hold the buttons until you see the Apple logo appear on screen.
  • On an iPhone X, iPhone 8, or iPhone 8 Plus: Follow these three steps.
    1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
    2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
    3. Then, press and hold the Sleep/Wake (side) button until you see the Apple logo appear on screen.

 

Tip: The #1 mistake people make while trying to hard reset their device is not holding the buttons down long enough. However, on an iPhone 8 and X, be sure to press the first two buttons quickly then hold the power button down for a long time.

 

5. Restore the iPhone

As a last resort, try erasing the iPhone and restoring it to the factory settings. Be sure to make a backup of your iPhone before erasing the iPhone. Having a backup of your iPhone will allow you to restore all your data. These articles from the Apple website explain how to backup and restore your device.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203977
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204184

This article explains how to restore your device to the factory settings.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201252

 

Still Not Charging?

If none of these actions resolves the charging issue, you may have a hardware problem with your iPhone. You’ll need to take it to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Center. You can also contact Apple directly for support.
https://support.apple.com/contact