Using old iPhone - phone hasn't been turned on in over a year

[AceC]

I have an old iPhone 4, which I haven't used in over a year. The battery has been dead since last January.

I was going to use the iPhone again, and of course will have to charge it before use. Since it hasn't been used in so long and hasn't even been turned on in so long, will it be okay? Is it safe to use, or could the battery have deteriorated?

You hear horror stories of iPhone batteries combusting; is this a threat here?

Use it or just leave it like it is?

 

[newellj]

I have an old iPhone 4, which I haven't used in over a year. The battery has been dead since last January.

I was going to use the iPhone again, and of course will have to charge it before use. Since it hasn't been used in so long and hasn't even been turned on in so long, will it be okay? Is it safe to use, or could the battery have deteriorated?

You hear horror stories of iPhone batteries combusting; is this a threat here?

Use it or just leave it like it is?

There are no guarantees in life but the odds are very high that it's fine, the worst damage being somewhat reduced battery capacity due to having discharged completely (I am assuming that from your post). Lithium batteries lose some capacity with age regardless of how they're stored, so you may not notice at all.

The chances of some kind of fire or explosion is extremely low, but if you're worried you could place the phone in or on some flameproof surface or container. (Do not use a sink or something else that someone can run water into without thinking!)

 

[phwjr]

I have an old iPhone 4, which I haven't used in over a year. The battery has been dead since last January.

I was going to use the iPhone again, and of course will have to charge it before use. Since it hasn't been used in so long and hasn't even been turned on in so long, will it be okay? Is it safe to use, or could the battery have deteriorated?

You hear horror stories of iPhone batteries combusting; is this a threat here?

Use it or just leave it like it is?

I do not see anything that you should be worried about. I just repaired a phone that I received from Ebay. The previous owner stated it has not been used for two years. I placed it on the charger and after 10 min or so it powered right up and iTunes detected the phone.