iPhone 6 not consistently charging (a.k.a. charging when it feels like it)

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Level 1

9 points

iPhone 6 not consistently charging (a.k.a. charging when it feels like it)

iOS 12.1.4, so all of a sudden one day my iPhone 6 decided to charge when it feels like it. So it is not consistently charging. I have attempted everything, all different type of cables, chargers, and tonight when I arrived home I plugged it in and it didn't charge, then all of a sudden I look at the phone and its charging. The first time this happened my phone completely died. The following day I attempted to charge it at work and it started charging. I realized that when the charger is a higher voltage charger for some reason it kick starts the charging process. Sometimes when the battery drops below a certain percentage the phone will not charge. I already did a DFU restore and it seemed like it resolved the issue for awhile but tonight it manifested once again. So, is this an issue with the operating system? If the phone does charge the hardware must still be functioning properly. Apple once replaced my device due to an issue that was caused by an iOS update. Could this be the same thing? I was looking through my purchase paperwork the other day and it reminded me that I paid over $800 for this device. I have had my iPhone 6 for over 4 years (once replaced by Apple) and I would like to use this same device for many more years. How can I insure this is a operating system issue. Has anyone had the same experience? Thanks for reading!

iPhone 6, iOS 12

Posted on Mar 5, 2019 5:55 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 6, 2019 9:19 AM in response to Kaizen099

Get a bright light, magnifying glass and toothpick and carefully clean the crud out of the Lightning port. Do not use compressed air, which can drive it further in. Also try different Lightning cables and USB power sources. Make sure they are genuine Apple or are certified as "MFI" (Made for iPhone).

Also go to Settings/Battery and tap on Battery Health. If it says it is not at peak performance or the capacity is below 80% make a genius bar appointment to get the battery replaced. It will cost $49 for an iPhone 6. Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

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Answer 2

Mar 6, 2019 2:58 PM in response to dasan145

It is absolutely, positively certain that the problem is hardware, not operating system. The charging system in an iPhone is implemented 100% in hardware. The operating system does not get involved. That's why you can charge the phone when it is powered off.

And no, you cannot change the charging port without opening the phone, which voids any remaining warranty and eliminates any possibility of Apple repairing or replacing the phone in or out of warranty.

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Answer 3

Mar 7, 2019 7:42 AM in response to Kaizen099

I figured out for some odd reason my phone only charges with one specific cable my boss gave me as a gift in 2017. I am attempting to get the item number and will post when I get it. She purchased it from Amazon. It is a thicker gauge wire, so I am not sure if that is the reason.

Interesting. I had an experience like that last year. I have many lightning cables, all original Apple-branded. My 7+ would only charge with one of them, but they all worked with my iPad. I took it to a genius bar and showed the tech that only one of my cables would charge the phone. He tried several of his, and none of them worked. As I had AppleCare+ he simply replaced the phone. The replacement worked with all of his and my cables.

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Answer 4

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,230 points

Mar 6, 2019 8:22 AM in response to Kaizen099

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't charge - Apple Support

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Answer 5

Kaizen099 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 6, 2019 2:18 PM in response to markfrombrockenhurst

I don't think there will be a remedy. For some reason when I use the higher amp charger at work with the specific cable I have at work my phone charges without any issues. Once I get home and use my home charger ( I have multiple cables MFI certified and chargers) non of them work. Occasionally, I'll leave the phone plugged in for awhile and it'll start charging randomly. I checked my battery health and it's at 90% so I am always leaving the phone on low power mode now. I am most likely going to find the make of the work USB hub I have at work which plugs directly to the wall and test the multiple cables I have here at home on the work charger and buy one for my home. The only issue I will have will be charging in the car. I am not going to buy another iPhone and will hopefully use this one for many more years. Hope it helps, when I get the work charger info. I will post it here.

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Answer 6

Mar 6, 2019 3:37 PM in response to Kaizen099

Note that all USB power sources are the same voltage: 5 volts +- 0.5 volts (4.5 - 5.5v). And the current supplied by the power source shouldn't matter; the phone only takes what it needs. The cube that comes with the phone is 1.0 amps, and an iPad adapter is 2.2 amps. But it shouldn't make any difference. If one of them does not charge most likely the power source or the cable you use with it are defective.

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Answer 7

Kaizen099 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 7, 2019 7:29 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I figured out for some odd reason my phone only charges with one specific cable my boss gave me as a gift in 2017. I am attempting to get the item number and will post when I get it. She purchased it from Amazon. It is a thicker gauge wire, so I am not sure if that is the reason.

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Answer 8

Mar 6, 2019 9:12 AM in response to Kaizen099

I have exactly the same issue... 1Phone 6, recently moved to iOS 12.1.4 and it charges randomly. Now not charging at all. Would be equally interested in learning how to solve the issue. Seems like an issue with 12.1.4 or ?

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Answer 9

Kaizen099 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 6, 2019 3:02 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thank you for the reply Lawrence, I appreciate it. I received this iPhone 6 as a replacement from the Apple store on Oct. 2016, so the one year limited warranty on the phone is long gone. It is interesting though, that it will charge with a higher voltage USB type charging hub at work all the time. I just need to find a solution for mobile charging. Thanks again.

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Answer 10

dasan145

Level 1

4 points

Mar 6, 2019 4:57 PM in response to dasan145

Also, something to note, you can send it to any simply Mac for repeat service as long as it is less than 3 months of service. One thing to note is this, when or if you go back to the apple store or any certified apple repair store you can get it fixed then if any issues arise make sure that as long as the issues arise within the three month mark to get it checked in as soon as possible

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Answer 11

Kaizen099 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 7, 2019 7:59 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I could guarantee that the cable that was purchased probably isn't even MFI certified as she purchased many cables for everyone in the office. So I am asking her to find out the exact cable that she purchased so I can purchase one for my home and one for my car. The white cable works the black one doesn't.

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Answer 12

Kaizen099 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 7, 2019 8:02 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

This white cable is worth $599...Apple will give me $150 for my working iPhone (it turns on) and has zero cosmetic defects. So if I turn it in under their current program, I would have to pay $599 for the iPhone XR.

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Answer 13

Kaizen099 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 6, 2019 2:54 PM in response to dasan145

Hi, thanks for the reply, nope, I just tested it. The headphone jack is working fine and I currently have the phone lighting cable plugged in and it's not charging.

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Answer 14

Mar 6, 2019 5:00 PM in response to dasan145

You mean this A1660 issue? iPhone 7 Repair Program for "No Service" Issues - Apple Support

Let me tell you a secret: It isn't a secret!

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Answer 15

Mar 7, 2019 7:59 AM in response to Kaizen099

An identical cable may or may not solve the problem, but it's worth a try.

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iPhone 6 not consistently charging (a.k.a. charging when it feels like it)

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