iPhone 12 mini Cleaning iPhone 12 Mini charging port?

[iphonefreak450]

I managed to clean my iPhone 12 charging port using a wooden toothpick. First, I powered OFF the phone and then VERY GENTLY scraping inside the center of the port and came up with moderate dust and lint from the attached photo.

My question is, for future reference, once placing the toothpick inside the charging port, what exactly is the prefered movement of cleaning? Is it from right to left or from left to right? The way I've done it, is that my movment with the toohpick was from left to right keeping the toothpick in the cetner of the charging port. I do not know if the pins or springs are below or on top of the port assuming that the phone's screen is facing upwards. I did it with the phone screen facing upwards.

To avoid the pins from damage, how can I tell if the pins and springs are on top or below or on the sides of the port itself assuming that the phone is facing with the screen upwards?

I know for a fact that I did it keeping the toothpick at the center inside of the charging port and then GENTLY swiping it from the left to the right.

Please explain which would be the best tenchnique or movement when cleaning the dust out using a toothpick.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

That’s a whole lot of lint 😲😲

Apple needs to develop a lint roller just for iPhones 📱

 

[iphonefreak450]

I know, that’s why my phone was not charging normally.

But once the toothpick is inside the connection port, which type of movement should be used? From left to right? From right to left? Or top to bottom when cleaning the connection port?

Just asking this because I’m afraid to damage the pins.

I did this as gently as possible under a light and using a magnifying glass but still couldn’t see where the pins or springs are.

Is there a diagram or a detailed picture on the layout of the pins inside the connection port?

 

[one more]

Just hoover it with a mini hoover. 😉 Or blow some compressed air into it.

 

[tedley]

Just hoover it with a mini hoover. 😉 Or blow some compressed air into it.

I've done this with my phones. That is a big piece of lint!! I've had ones that big too. I don't think direction matters as much as being gentle. I try to look into the port with a light to locate the lint and then gently probe that area with a wooden toothpick to delicately remove the problem. That way I'm not blindly swiping back and forth with the toothpick.

I've seen see examples of people using metal SIM ejectors to remove the lint. That scares me!! LOL

 

[iphonefreak450]

As long as you GENTLY remove the lint from the port it should not cause damage to the connection pins. And I also turned OFF my phone before doing all this.

 

[now i see it]

There's a spring tab on each side of the port which are pretty strong. You won't damage them when carefully picking out lint with a toothpick.
The contact pins are on the top of the port. They're more like contact surfaces than actual pins. There's nothing on the bottom of the port. There's also nothing at the end of the port.
It's best to get a good magnifying glass and a flashlight to be able to actually see what's going on inside the port.
If you're careful and scared, you won't damage anything. Just be gentle.

 

[iphonefreak450]

I found a diagram of how the insides of the connection port looks like. Based on your response and explanation, is this what your referring to?

Would this diagram of the port be the same for the iPhone 12 Mini?

And by looking at the port diagram, is this assuming that the phone is held screen up or screen down?

 

[now i see it]

Look inside the port with a magnifying glass and flashlight. You'll see for yourself. You'll need it anyway to verify if the port is cleaned out or not

 

[iphonefreak450]

Checked with magnifying glass and it seems that the pins are on the top when the phone or connection port is viewed with the screen side facing down. The drawing looks misleading if that is the case.

Anyways, the most important thing to keep in mind when cleaning the port is just GENTLY picking out the lint.

Just out of curiosity, jhow many of you face this issue with lint building up over time?
I wear jeans, and the lint still becomes an issue even when I slide the phone in my pocket with the port connector facing upwards...

 

[now i see it]

If lint accumulation in the port is a problem, there are little silicon port plugs available (ebay) that you can plug into the port to keep dirt out when not charging. I've never used one and they're really small so would likely be easy to lose -so purchasing several would be a good idea

 

[iphonefreak450]

Is it really necessary to turn OFF the phone before cleaning the lint out with a wooden toothpick?

 

[MarkX]

Is it really necessary to turn OFF the phone before cleaning the lint out with a wooden toothpick?

Not necessary at all.

 

[Apple_Robert]

OP, consider getting a port cover. It would save you from having to go through this kind of thing,

PortPlugs Dust Plugs for iPhone 16, 14, 13, 12, 11, Pro/Max & AirPods - Lightning Charger Port Covers with Cleaning Brush | Clear (10-Pack)

Introducing the PortPlugs Protection Kit, a package designed to safeguard your iPhone and Air Pods charging ports against dust, dirt, and moisture. Each kit includes 10 protective charger port caps and a specially designed cleaning brush. Crafted to fit seamlessly with iPhone models 16,14, 13, 12...

www.amazon.com

 

[iphonefreak450]

I will order these plugs, thanks!

But in the meantime, I can see some more lint in the port. So let me ask again to be on the safe side if I can leave the phone powered ON during the cleaning process with a wooden toothpick?

 

[mebehere]

I used a paper clip on my iPhone 6 a few years ago. Lots of lint and no subsequent charging problems.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

To get rid of the lint fast: You can also use the bathroom dryer in a hotel room or you can go to the barbershop and ask them if you can use the air compressor pressure?

this black thing..

 

[Apple_Robert]

To get rid of the lint fast: You can also use the bathroom dryer in a hotel room or you can go to the barbershop and ask them if you can use the air compressor pressure?

View attachment 1792304

this black thing..

View attachment 1792305

How did you get that picture of me in the barber chair from last week? I didn't authorize that release.

 

[NM08SRT8]

It happens...

 

[mebehere]

I get the comedy within all this. But if you have a phone that won’t charge correctly, it’s no ******* joke. Buncha comics in this thread should be ashamed.

Remove the lint. If that’s the issue. Enjoy the phone.

 

[maerz001]

I found a diagram of how the insides of the connection port looks like. Based on your response and explanation, is this what your referring to?

Would this diagram of the port be the same for the iPhone 12 Mini?

And by looking at the port diagram, is this assuming that the phone is held screen up or screen down?

All ports since iPhone 5 are the same. Even the miserable USB 2 speed

 

[iphonefreak450]

If using a wooden toothpick, should the phone be turned off before removing the lint?

 

[maerz001]

If using a wooden toothpick, should the phone be turned off before removing the lint?

No as said before. But whats the issue to turn it off for a minute? Only needed when using metal

 

[MarkX]

If using a wooden toothpick, should the phone be turned off before removing the lint?

Didn't you believe me the 1st time I said no?

 

[1rottenapple]

To get rid of the lint fast: You can also use the bathroom dryer in a hotel room or you can go to the barbershop and ask them if you can use the air compressor pressure?

View attachment 1792304

this black thing..

View attachment 1792305

Lol 😂 on fire today