Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

UV Steriliser

James Godfrey

James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
2,074
1,712
Hi all

Just a quick question for anyone who may know, I was bought a UV Steriliser for phones and other stuff like keys etc for Christmas, I am just wondering if these devices are safe to use with the iPhone 12 Pro?

I have had a google and there seems to be mixed messages, some saying it can harm the internals, some saying it can damage the OLED screen and others saying there will be no harm to any device as it won’t expose the device for several hours at a time...

If anyone knows that would be great, I contacted Apple support and they just referred me to their cleaning devices page which doesn’t mention UV sanitisers at all...
 
Applefan2015 said:

Disinfecting iPhones - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com discussions.apple.com
Click to expand...
Yeah I saw this but it’s not the advice given to me by Apple support, they basically said they don’t know and can only go off apples official website, which doesn’t particularly stipulate whether you can or can’t use them...

Looking online I can see that Samsung actually sell one of these and provide a UV sterilisation service also... making me think it wouldn’t harm the device, also Apple have filed a patent for similar also...

I know that I don’t necessarily have to use the sanitiser on my phone but am keen to know if it is safe to use or not... I presume until Apple have done internal testing of such devices they won’t claim that’s is safe or unsafe to use, as they themselves likely don’t know for certain.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applefan2015
ericg301 said:
it's fine. why wouldn't it be? it's basically sunlight, right?

ive been using PhoneSoap on my 12 mini daily and it still works like a champ.
Click to expand...
Yeah I would have thought it would be fine... I noticed that Belkin have just announced one also, which is listed as compatible with several iPhone models including the iPhone 12 series... be interesting to see if Apple list these on their site...
 
ericg301 said:
it's fine. why wouldn't it be? it's basically sunlight, right?

ive been using PhoneSoap on my 12 mini daily and it still works like a champ.
Click to expand...

What! Phone soap? Do we have one? I just used the normal soap sometimes

We are getting very particular with all things.
People are worried whether UV sanitizer will damage the phone while I did use as I please.

One thing about being particular, just watched YouTube review on £2k air dresser targeting sanitising and air drying for clothing by Samsung.

What have we become?
 
I’ve been using Phonesoap on multiple phones for almost a year with no problems. Perfectly safe and works great.
 
ericg301 said:
it's fine. why wouldn't it be? it's basically sunlight, right?

ive been using PhoneSoap on my 12 mini daily and it still works like a champ.
Click to expand...

Germicidal lamps use UVC radiation, which is blocked by the ozone layer in the atmosphere.

UVC can be damaging to soft tissues, like eyes and skin, and degrade materials like plastics and textiles.

Of course, risk varies with the amount of exposure and intensity, and consumer-grade gadgets are probably low in that regard (which also begs the question as to how effective they are), but such radiation isn't completely benign.

Is it enough to turn your Apple Product RED leather case into a Product PINK case after repeated treatment? Perhaps not, but it's not outside the realm of possibility either. Long term UVB exposure can have such effects, and UVC is stronger.
 
James Godfrey said:
Yeah I would have thought it would be fine... I noticed that Belkin have just announced one also, which is listed as compatible with several iPhone models including the iPhone 12 series... be interesting to see if Apple list these on their site...
Click to expand...

i would be shocked if apple ever lists them on their site because that would imply the apple seal of approval, which means apple would have to independently test and verify the disinfection claims
 
My mother gifted me HomeMedic's UV portable sanitizer for things like keys, phone, anything small. I've been using my iPhone 11 Pro and now iPhone 12 Pro. I haven't had any issues with my phones while using the phone sanitizer. I don't use it everyday since I'm not travelling or going out in public as much (except to appointments and getting groceries and only going out if I really need to). I've heard good things about PhoneSoap though. I was originally planning on getting PhoneSoap until my mother gifted me HomeMedic's version of PhoneSoap.
 
Was considering one but heard it would damage the phone and Apple Watch OLED screen, which to me renders it useless
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Htsi
darthbane2k said:
I Many need to research further

Disinfecting iPhones - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com discussions.apple.com
Click to expand...

I'd only put a certain amount of faith in an Apple support rep who's probably some guy/gal answering support questions from their kitchen table in a their PJs, and erring heavily on the side of caution in lieu of any real expertise on the subject.

However, actual research has been done on the effects of UV light on OLED displays, and degradation has been observed.

But, there are always those whose response to scientists' "smoking kills" is "I feel fine." At least until they don't.
 
Last edited:
Separate from the question about safety for the phone, do folks think devices like PhoneSoap make a difference and are worth the cost?
 
UV light will degrade the OLED materials, but the cover glass will absorb most of the UV-C light preventing it from reaching the OLED materials.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Htsi
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back