iPhone 12 Models Don't Pose Greater Risk of Magnetic Interference to Pacemakers and Medical Devices

[MacRumors]

Apple's iPhone 12 models are equipped with more magnets than prior models, featuring a ring of 18 magnets that surround a wireless charging coil to support MagSafe-based accessories. Given the increase in the number of magnets, those with medical devices that can experience magnetic interference such as pacemakers have wondered whether it's safe to use the new iPhone 12.

Apple's recently updated iPhone safety information confirms that those able to use earlier iPhones will also be able to use the new iPhone 12 models without worrying about increased magnetic interference.

iPhone 12 magnets image via iFixit​

According to Apple, the iPhone 12 models do not pose more of a risk of magnetic interference with medical devices than prior models. From the support document:

iPhone contains magnets as well as components and radios that emit electromagnetic fields. These magnets and electromagnetic fields may interfere with medical devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators.

Though all iPhone 12 models contain more magnets than prior iPhone models, they're not expected to pose a greater risk of magnetic interference to medical devices than prior iPhone models.

Apple warns that those who have medical devices consult their doctors and medical device manufacturers for specific details on maintaining a safe distance of separation between medical devices and iPhones. Many pacemakers or implantable defibrillators, for example, need to be kept six inches from devices with magnets, including iPhone and iPad.

Consult your physician and medical device manufacturer for information specific to your medical device and whether you need to maintain a safe distance of separation between your medical device and iPhone. There are many types of medical devices, and manufacturers often provide recommendations on the safe use of their devices around wireless or magnetic products to prevent possible interference. If you suspect iPhone is interfering with your medical device, stop using iPhone.

Apple's safety warning is applicable to all iPhone 12 models, and suggests that the new iPhones are safe for those who have medical implants as long as the proper safety protocols for those devices are followed, with no specific considerations that need to be made for the greater number of magnets in the iPhone 12.

Article Link: iPhone 12 Models Don't Pose Greater Risk of Magnetic Interference to Pacemakers and Medical Devices

 

[480951]

This is great to know. I didn’t think it’d be an issue but my wife has a pacemaker (in her early 30s) and was wondering about it with all the new magnets. Glad to see it’s safe.

 

[ridlerontheroof]

Do they wipe the data stored on the magnetic strip of your credit cards? LOL

 

[Tijdelijk]

they're not expected to pose a greater risk of magnetic interference to medical devices than prior iPhone models.............................

Not expected but not sure ???.......

 

[ChrisMoBro]

Apple just chose to use weak magnets...

 

[ghanwani]

Wish they made one without magnets. Just give me a device that I can use to browse the net, check email, make phone calls, and take a decent photo. I don't care about any of the "inventions" since about the iPhone 4. Don't care about fast charging, haptic touch, 3D touch, getting rid of home button, wireless charging, fast charging, face ID, NFC, and sure as heck not about the largely useless case-spoiling magsafe. Update the 2016 SE with a new processor and that will be my choice!

 

[DotCom2]

If you had knee replacement..new way to carry your phone.

 

[cocky jeremy]

Do they wipe the data stored on the magnetic strip of your credit cards? LOL

I think they released something saying it can on certain cards but for the most part, no because of a lining they put in it.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

Do they wipe the data stored on the magnetic strip of your credit cards? LOL

The MagSafe Wallet is shielded, so it’s safe for cards. Apple says that most debit and credit cards won’t be affected by the MagSafe magnets, as long as you don’t put the card directly in between the iPhone and a MagSafe accessory. But some single-use cards like hotel keycards could be more easily affected, because the magnetic strip isn’t as strong.

 

[mikethemartian]

Are they referring to just electromagnets/coils? Because if there are any non moving permanent magnets in the phone those would definitely not induce any electrical fields since Maxwell’s equations require a changing magnetic field to induce an electrical field.

 

[LFC2020]

The MagSafe Wallet is shielded, so it’s safe for cards. Apple says that most debit and credit cards won’t be affected by the MagSafe magnets, as long as you don’t put the card directly in between the iPhone and a MagSafe accessory. But some single-use cards like hotel keycards could be more easily affected, because the magnetic strip isn’t as strong.

What about normal wallets? I always put my phone and wallet in the same pocket.

 

[Unity451]

Inquiring Mind: Do the iPhone 12 models pose a magnetic interference risk?

Apple: Well... they don't pose a GREATER risk... so...

Inquiring Mind: ...

 

[Psychicbob]

On the plus side, you can now charge up your pacemaker with the MagSafe charger.

 

[now i see it]

if anyone cares to read the actual warning instead of the headline - Apl warns that an iPhone 12 must he kept at least 6 inches away from a pacemaker.
It wouldn't call that safe for those using a pacemaker.

 

[justperry]

On the plus side, you can now charge up your pacemaker with the MagSafe charger.

AFAIK most pacemakers have a metal casing.

*Yes, I got your joke.

 

[69Mustang]

This is great to know. I didn’t think it’d be an issue but my wife has a pacemaker (in her early 30s) and was wondering about it with all the new magnets. Glad to see it’s safe.

If your wife has a pacemaker, please read the article a little bit more closely. It does not say it's safe at all. @jclo should probably better clarify the headline... and some of the context in the article as well. What the article implies and what Apple's statements say are not congruent.

Apple says:
Medical device interference iPhone contains magnets as well as components and radios that emit electromagnetic fields. These magnets and electromagnetic fields may interfere with medical devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators.

Though all iPhone 12 models contain more magnets than prior iPhone models, they're not expected to pose a greater risk of magnetic interference than prior iPhone models.

Consult your physician and medical device manufacturer for information specific to your medical device and whether you need to maintain a safe distance of separation between your medical device and iPhone. There are many types of medical devices, and manufacturers often provide recommendations on the safe use of their devices around wireless or magnetic products to prevent possible interference. If you suspect iPhone is interfering with your medical device, stop using iPhone.

In no way does that imply safe. The article's intent is to say the 12 should be no more of an interference than prior models. Emphasis on "should be". To be fair, the article is doing a heck of a job at implying the 12 is safe like you assumed.

 

[Kevin2055]

It is not more danger to pacemaker.

 

[Abstract]

Patients with pacemakers can have an MRI. That magnet is at least 1.5 Tesla.

The magnet in the iPhone is probably more like a strong fridge magnet. Can you go near a fridge with magnets? 😂

Also, Apple are not giving specific medical advice. They said “no more risk than previous iPhones”, which just means that the strength of the magnet in the iPhone 12 is so weak that there should be no change in risk for medical devices, whatever that risk happens to be.

 

[480951]

Patients with pacemakers can have an MRI. That magnet is at least 1.5 Tesla.

The magnet in the iPhone is probably more like a strong fridge magnet. Can you go near a fridge with magnets? 😂

Also, Apple are not giving specific medical advice. They said “no more risk than previous iPhones”, which just means that the strength of the magnet in the iPhone 12 is so weak that there should be no change in risk for medical devices, whatever that risk happens to be.

Patients with pacemakers really shouldn’t have an MRI, it’s one of the number one things they’re told not to do. (Unless there’s something so serious and all other alternative options have been exhausted, in which case there’s special machines designed to work around them but they can’t just use one).

 

[Mr. Awesome]

What about normal wallets? I always put my phone and wallet in the same pocket.

Again, Apple says the magnets don’t interfere with most credit/debit cards. If you’re super worried, don’t get the phone, or get a shielded wallet.

 

[LFC2020]

Again, Apple says the magnets don’t interfere with most credit/debit cards. If you’re super worried, don’t get the phone, or get a shielded wallet.

Ain’t buying another wallet. 🙄 I’ll take apple word for it, if anything happens to my cards, I’ll be demanding some freebies from apple. 😂

 

[Gizmotoy]

if anyone cares to read the actual warning instead of the headline - Apl warns that an iPhone 12 must he kept at least 6 inches away from a pacemaker.
It wouldn't call that safe for those using a pacemaker.

There are really aren't many (any?) electronics that would be given an unmitigated OK to be within 6" of a pacemaker or ICD. Typically you're instructed to not even talk with a cell phone on that side of your head because it's too close if you forget and tilt your head to hold it in place with your shoulder.

Patients with pacemakers can have an MRI. That magnet is at least 1.5 Tesla.

The magnet in the iPhone is probably more like a strong fridge magnet. Can you go near a fridge with magnets? 😂

Also, Apple are not giving specific medical advice. They said “no more risk than previous iPhones”, which just means that the strength of the magnet in the iPhone 12 is so weak that there should be no change in risk for medical devices, whatever that risk happens to be.

That's only on relatively new models, and even then the device needs to be put into a special "MRI mode" to allow that. With ICDs, a magnetic field actually disables the defibrillator functionality completely (though they commonly beep when in that mode so you know). With both a Pacemaker and ICD, a magnet over the device typically (but not always, depends on device) changes it from synchronous to asynchronous pacing mode. Neither of these is something you want using your phone to be triggering.

 

[rjp1]

I wonder if medical devices played a part in choosing such a weak magnet in the iPhone? I have no interest in Magsafe charging, but was excited for a phone holder in the car. The phone falls off way too easy.

This article made me remember I have a LINX implant, but it is fine all the way up to 1.5T.

 

[Analog Kid]

Are they referring to just electromagnets/coils? Because if there are any non moving permanent magnets in the phone those would definitely not induce any electrical fields since Maxwell’s equations require a changing magnetic field to induce an electrical field.

The magnetic field, even for a permanent magnet, is a function of space and time. So if you move the magnet, or move something else in relation to the magnet, the curl of the electric field in the vicinity of that something else becomes non-zero-- so you've induced an electric field. That's how a simple electric dynamo works.

I've no idea if generating stray fields in a pacemaker is the reason magnets are a problem, or if there's some other risk... Reading some of the comments above sound as though the magnet acts as a switch of sorts, presumably because the magnetic field can penetrate the giant bag of mostly water.

 

[W2u7Yw4HaD]

I've read elsewhere that all is fine, but did someone test the compass to see if its accuracy hasn't changed?