My iPhone 13 has worked flawlessly since I got it more than two and a half years ago. Yesterday, it didn't want to charge. I checked the Battery Health monitor on the phone. Reads 97%, which seems fine for a device of this age.

The charger and cable charge my wife's iPhone with no problems. I followed the advice of carefully cleaning the charging port with a toothpick. I first used a flashlight and a magnifier and found one near-microscopic tuft of lint on the back wall of the port.

I removed this and now the phone is charging fine, turns itself on when its powered off and I plug in the charging cable.

Really

My old Samsung Galaxy had a port cover. I see charging port covers for iPhone on Amazon. They cost next to nothing. Does anyone here use one of these covers? Considering I got the phone in March, 2022, I suppose it's much ado about nothing, but...

I make it a habit of cleaning the charging port every 6 months or so. I use a plastic dental floss pick and can of air. I haven't tried a cover.

I use those covers on my phones and air pod cases. I usually always charge wirelessly with the MagSafe. But, if I ever do use a cable I just pop the little dust cover out and put it back in when I’m done. I figure they’re so cheap and I never have to worry about the port getting gunk in it.

I had no charging port problem with my iPhone 12 (lightning jack), which I used for four years until I got my iPhone 16.

I never used a port cover, but I never carried it in my pocket. Pockets are a major source of port dust.

I use the covers on some other electronic goodies but not so far on my phone. My phone case seems to do a good job keeping the port clean. I check the port fairly often to ensure there is no lint in port.

I use a Gum brand dental pick/flosser stick to keep my charge port clean. I don’t mess with covers/plugs. The flossers work good as they don’t conduct electricity and are soft enough I don’t have to worry about damaging much of anything.

I really liked the older lightning connection as it was a straight piece that wasn’t hollow like a USB-C. The little center piece in the C makes me worry that I’ll break it. That’s why I started using the flosser. (I just used a paper clip on the old lightning.)

I didn’t know you could buy port covers.
I’ve always used Otterbox Commuter cases, and they have a port cover.

Have you considered magnetic charging?

https://www.apple.com/shop/pro.../magsafe-charger-1-m

quote:

Have you considered magnetic charging?

Recent iPhones--I think 12 through 16--are set up for magnetic (qi) charging. I have several methods: a disk that fastens magnetically on the back of the phone; a charging stand that holds the phone upright, and also charges an Apple Watch and AirPods--all without having to plug anything into the phone.

Since I only use bluetooth ear buds, I don't really use the Lightning charging port.

Before I got the magnetic chargers, lint in the charging port was a problem. I used special brushes and pokey things to clean the port. I had the covers, but they were easily lost, so I stopped using them.

Actually my last use was for Apple CarPlay; but after I got a wireless CarPlay adapter I no longer use the port for that.

You need to make sure whatever one you buy fits through your case. I can't remember where I bought mine but I had to enlarge the hole in my phone case. I actually left it plugged in because I always do wireless charging. It's mainly to keep water out.

That was on my 12. I'm on a 14 now and lost the plug.

I haven’t used any plugs in the charging port, but I probably should. Carrying the phone in the right rear jeans pocket, charging port up may not be the worst for causing this problem, but it is probably in the running. Every six to eight months I’ll plug it in and it doesn’t want to charge. “What the heck?!? Oh yeah, probably overdue for cleaning.” Little work with a wooden toothpick and I’m back in business.

Didn’t know they were available. Will they work with a phone case?

It seems like a pain but port cleaning is a necessary thing if you pocket carry and the port is exposed. My 13 pro began to charge sporadically until I carefully dug out the lint/hair/godknowswhat wad out of the port. Then it was back in business.

I use an induction charger.

Plugs will eventually wear out no matter how much care you take.

No, I don't use them, inductive charging at my home and in my vehicle works fine for me.

These have worked with all iPhones since the model 8. Much easier than plugging a cable in; just set the phone down on the pad when you're not using it.

I haven't had a problem since they went to the smaller Lightning style plug. My recent phones now have the USB-C plug and that seems to be where all are headed outside of the inductive charging mentioned.
Some of the dust problems may be caused by how a phone is carried. Mine sits in my shirt pocket and I mostly talk on a earbud type headset and the opening has less exposure that in earlier times.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
I use an induction charger.

Plugs will eventually wear out no matter how much care you take.

Me as well. There are lots of inexpensive magnetic choices that work great.

I have had that problem with every cell phone ever. I have to periodically brush the ports out with an old toothbrush, followed by blowing them out. Not as bad now since there is no longer crud in my pockets nor greasy fingers.

quote:

Originally posted by Muddflap:
I didn’t know you could buy port covers.
I’ve always used Otterbox Commuter cases, and they have a port cover.

I think the one I'm using is the OtterBox Defender, but it also has a port cover. It's a tough case but it makes the phone larger. I slip it in and out of my front pocket which was a lot easier without the big case. I liked the thin, slick case better but it didn't provide a lot of protection when I dropped the phone.