Considering how tiny a lightning port is and how often we plug our phones in, I'm wondering if it's a common issue with iPhones where the charger port gets loose or needs to be replaced. Is this a diy job? Worse case scenario I'd just start wireless charging. Just curious is all.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 8/Plus How durable are iPhone charge ports?
- Thread starter tonybarnaby
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I’ve used lightning ports since the iPhone 5s and have never had an issue with durability. In addition I can’t say I’ve seen any forum threads on lightning port issues to think it would be something to worry about.
Perhaps someone has a different experience than me though...
Perhaps someone has a different experience than me though...
Depends how careful the user is, same principle applies to wire headphones. My iPhone 6 after 3 years is in pristine condition, as the first day... including the cable.
It's certainly not a common problem, given that the thousands of time somebody will charge their iPhone throughout the life of it. And I don't see this as a do it yourself type of job, likely because it's such a difficult area to access and a repair that most don't have knowledge on. It could also void the warranty if it wasn't repaired properly by somebody trying it on their own.
I haven't heard of a damaged or loose connector. Usually any problem comes from a connector full of lint or debris. I don't like the fact that you can scratch up the bottom of the iPhone when using the lightning connector. Anyway I don't use the lightning connector anymore. It's wireless for me. 
Only issue as far as it breaking I know someone who damaged their because it fell off the dresser and landed on the connector. I think they had to replace the phone as the connector was soldered to one of the boards.
They seem robust but I am spoiled and just place mine on the charging pad each night.
They seem robust but I am spoiled and just place mine on the charging pad each night.
Some of my family members are still using 5S iPhones and connect using the Braille method. No problems, ever.
I thought I had a bad Lightning port in my iPhone 7 late last year. Turned out that pocket link had half-filled the port...solved with a wood toothpick.
I thought I had a bad Lightning port in my iPhone 7 late last year. Turned out that pocket link had half-filled the port...solved with a wood toothpick.
I had issues with multiple micro usb cables becoming loose and barely being able to plug in. Especially 3rd party cables. Glad to hear Apple is solid.
By the way if you look at iFixit disassembly articles, you’ll see that 8/8+/X have a new and possibly sturdier lightining port.
Personally I think the most damage you can make is with chemicals, alcohols, dirt, grease and oxidation, not mechanical (unless we are talking really brutal fall damage).
I had a couple of “chemically aged” cables start working only on one side (if you don’t know, at usb2 speeds lightning only uses the pins on one side).
I had one “chemically aged” and dirty port on a iphone 6+ gradually stop working unless I wobbled the hell out of it. Had to pay a third party service to replace the part.
I’m currently having a 1 year old dirty or oxidized Airpods case start working only on one side.
It’s like my cables transfer a disease to my ports sometimes, hence only on the actually used side.
I’m bit around alcohols and other chemicals so maybe I’m not a typical user.
Let’s just say I’m happy wireless charging became a thing and I look forward to the new airpods case with Qi.
Personally I think the most damage you can make is with chemicals, alcohols, dirt, grease and oxidation, not mechanical (unless we are talking really brutal fall damage).
I had a couple of “chemically aged” cables start working only on one side (if you don’t know, at usb2 speeds lightning only uses the pins on one side).
I had one “chemically aged” and dirty port on a iphone 6+ gradually stop working unless I wobbled the hell out of it. Had to pay a third party service to replace the part.
I’m currently having a 1 year old dirty or oxidized Airpods case start working only on one side.
It’s like my cables transfer a disease to my ports sometimes, hence only on the actually used side.
I’m bit around alcohols and other chemicals so maybe I’m not a typical user.
Let’s just say I’m happy wireless charging became a thing and I look forward to the new airpods case with Qi.
I had a 6S with a defective port (would only charge if head of the lightning cable was pushed down), but the problem was there from day 1. Not really a durability issue.
The lightning device I had the longest was my Air 2 (2.5 years). I charged it 3-5 times a week on average and never had any problems.
The lightning device I had the longest was my Air 2 (2.5 years). I charged it 3-5 times a week on average and never had any problems.
Micro, or mini? I assume you mean micro, but I want to bring back to collective memory here the fact that the mini-USB connector was terrible, having a shockingly low (for this type of equipment) number of insertions in its design spec.
I have read quite a few reviews on Apple's docking station claiming that it loosens the lightning port, eventually breaking it. Just going by the design this seems plausible (the iPhone being held upright in a slightly leaning position, just by the connector in the port), but I don't know if it is true or widespread.
I haven't read those but it seems plausible. Another possible issue with those, that I think about every time I am at an Apple Store, is that it's fairly hard to put the iPhone back down on the connector at just the right angle, which could put a lot of physical stress on the port.
Had my x over a month and I don’t use my lightning port. I’ve used it a whole 3 Times. Twice to charge in the car and once for an iTunes backup. I wireless charge at night and have AirPods for headphones.
This is a valid point. I think now that Apple is getting into the wireless charging side of things, the lightning port will see less use overtime for those who want the convenience of wireless charging. Especially that QI has plenty of options for the iPhone 8/X.
I've been using iPhones since the original. Only model I skipped out of all of them has been the iPhone 7. Out of all those phones -- 30-pin and Lightning ports -- I've never had one go bad. Not suggesting it can't happen, but it's very uncommon. And no, definitely not a DIY repair.
My iPad Air first gen went to crap for this under 2 years of owning it. I think the way I was using the iPad sometimes being pulled or tugged by the lightning port really did it in. But yeah I was hoping for more durability.
I haven’t had issues with iPhones but I generally don’t use them while they are connected to a charger like I do with the iPad. If I do it’s usally at a desk so they aren’t being tugged on by the lightning port.
I haven’t had issues with iPhones but I generally don’t use them while they are connected to a charger like I do with the iPad. If I do it’s usally at a desk so they aren’t being tugged on by the lightning port.
Recently my iPad Air has developed some issues with charging - I’ll plug it in for a day and then discover it’s not charged at all, toggle the socket and suddenly it’s charging fine - I suspect a port issue.
Previously my launch day 6S developed the now infamous battery shutdown problem after a year of ownership and I sent in to Apple - this was literally a week or so before they admitted they had a problem with faulty batteries. They actually had the cheek to refuse to even look at it until I paid them £200 to repair a “faulty” lightning port, based on the fact that one of the pins was slightly depressed (they sent me a photo of the port) which they insisted must have been down to user damage and therefore not covered by warranty. I’d done nothing to the phone other than charge it normally with the supplied cable, and in fact the port worked perfectly for charging and data (and as we now know the shutdown problem was completely unrelated). I refused to pay and they sent it back to me in the same state.
So in summary - yes there are durability issues with the lightning port, in my experience, and not only that but Apple will NOT admit any liability if it goes wrong, regardless.
Previously my launch day 6S developed the now infamous battery shutdown problem after a year of ownership and I sent in to Apple - this was literally a week or so before they admitted they had a problem with faulty batteries. They actually had the cheek to refuse to even look at it until I paid them £200 to repair a “faulty” lightning port, based on the fact that one of the pins was slightly depressed (they sent me a photo of the port) which they insisted must have been down to user damage and therefore not covered by warranty. I’d done nothing to the phone other than charge it normally with the supplied cable, and in fact the port worked perfectly for charging and data (and as we now know the shutdown problem was completely unrelated). I refused to pay and they sent it back to me in the same state.
So in summary - yes there are durability issues with the lightning port, in my experience, and not only that but Apple will NOT admit any liability if it goes wrong, regardless.