smnnms
Level 1 (4 points)
iPhone

Q: What does the lightning bolt symbol on iPhone mean?

I cannot find a definitive answer anywhere: What does the lightning bolt symbol on iPhone mean?

 

More specifically, my iPhone battery is dead and sometimes the battery symbol shows up WITH the lighning bolt and the battery symbol above it with a small amount of red. If I jiggle the connection cable the lighning bolt disappears, then reappears, but the low battery symbol is always present. So my question is specifically what is the difference? What does the lightning bolt mean? Why has Apple made it so cryptic? Sometimes the lightning bolt, sometimes not, which one means charging? Both? Why have it then?

 

You see, I don't know whether to jiggle the cable until the lightning bolt is NOT visible, or whether to jiggle it so that it IS visible. Which one means the phone is charging. Why have a symbol that is open to interpretation but have no icon legend/reference anywhere that a user can know what it means? Why have this symbol when it is just as easy to have plain text "charging" or "not charging"?

OS X Yosemite (10.10), null

Posted on Jun 18, 2016 4:25 PM

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smnnms

Q: What does the lightning bolt symbol on iPhone mean?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by celliott147,Helpful

    celliott147 celliott147 Jun 20, 2016 4:12 PM in response to smnnms
    Level 4 (1,590 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jun 20, 2016 4:12 PM in response to smnnms

    When the bolt is present, it indicates that the device is charging successfully. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201569

  • by smnnms,

    smnnms smnnms Jun 18, 2016 7:27 PM in response to celliott147
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 18, 2016 7:27 PM in response to celliott147

    Hey thanks for the response

     

    So I'm just being impatient then, sometimes after several hours no change. I jiggle it, wait a while, no change etc. This can go on for several hours. Eventually, jiggling the cable and waiting and leaving it, as I have just done, it comes up as charged.


    At least now I know which position to leave it on. Thanks.

  • by celliott147,

    celliott147 celliott147 Jun 19, 2016 11:06 PM in response to smnnms
    Level 4 (1,590 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jun 19, 2016 11:06 PM in response to smnnms

    Are you using an Apple cable, a 3rd party cable that is MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod) certified, or an uncertified 3rd party cable?

  • by smnnms,

    smnnms smnnms Jun 19, 2016 11:20 PM in response to celliott147
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 19, 2016 11:20 PM in response to celliott147

    The Apple cable that came with the phone. I bought a new cable but that made no difference so have gone back to the original cable. If I move the cable slightly the lightning bolt appears/disappears. What I have found is if I place it carefully down and click the home button to check the lightning bolt is there it should be ok. I just have to check every time. I was just jiggling it randomly without knowing which setting meant "charging" because the battery symbol was appearing as well, so I assumed that meant it was charging. Now I understand what they both man I should be fine. Thanks again

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Jun 19, 2016 11:31 PM in response to smnnms
    Level 6 (15,220 points)
    Peripherals
    Jun 19, 2016 11:31 PM in response to smnnms

    It may be that your purchased cable was not correctly made and in trying to fit it, you damaged the socket.  That could explain the inconsistency.  Take your phone in to an official Apple store or authorised re-seller and ask for an assessment.  It should cost nothing to do this and they will check the charging aspect for you.

  • by smnnms,

    smnnms smnnms Jun 19, 2016 11:37 PM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 19, 2016 11:37 PM in response to seventy one

    Although that is technically possible, I think unlikely as the reason I bought the new cable was because this problem was occurring. I tried the new cable once, saw that it made no difference, then went back to the cable that was supplied with the phone. Part of your reply however, that the socket is damaged, is apparent.

     

    Thanks for the info on getting assessed, will do. They could fix the lock button as well (actually I checked and would have to pay for that lol)

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Jun 20, 2016 12:07 AM in response to smnnms
    Level 6 (15,220 points)
    Peripherals
    Jun 20, 2016 12:07 AM in response to smnnms

    If you do take it in, be sure to take both cables with you.

  • by Briansyddall,

    Briansyddall Briansyddall Jun 20, 2016 12:21 AM in response to smnnms
    Level 6 (9,103 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jun 20, 2016 12:21 AM in response to smnnms

    Hi

    You may have a faulty usb cable try another one or it could be socket on iPhone if new cable doesn't help .

    Make an appointment at apple store .

    Cheers

    Brian