iPhone charging port not working - Loose connection

I had this problem for months. Cable felt loose in the port. Wouldn’t charge correctly. I used a toothpick and removed several lint balls and crud. Now it works perfectly and the cable fits tight and isnt loose. Can’t believe it took me this long.

I had the exact same thing with my 12. Tried blowing lint out with canned air, but still nothing. I then flattened the end of a small paper clip and dug out a significant amount of compressed lint. Aired it out again and it worked perfectly. Hope this helps.

It sounds like you've narrowed down the issue to the charging port of your iPhone 6 Plus. Here are some steps you can take to address the problem:

1. Clean the Charging Port: As with any device, the charging port can accumulate dust, lint, and debris over time. Gently clean the charging port using a soft, small brush, toothpick, or compressed air. Be very careful while cleaning to avoid damaging the delicate pins inside the port.

2. Check for Physical Damage: Examine the charging port carefully for any visible signs of damage, such as bent pins or corrosion. If you notice any damage, it's likely contributing to the loose connection issue.

3. Use a Different Cable: While you mentioned you've tried different cables, it's still worth trying another high-quality cable to ensure that the issue isn't solely due to a faulty cable.

4. Restart Your iPhone: Sometimes, software glitches can cause charging issues. Restart your iPhone to see if that resolves the problem.

5. Check for Debris in the Cable End: Inspect the ends of your charging cables for any debris or lint that might prevent them from making a secure connection with the charging port. If you find any, carefully remove it.

6. Try Different Charging Adapters: The issue might also be with the charging adapter you're using. Try different adapters to see if the problem persists.

7. Use a Dock or Stand: Using a charging dock or stand can help relieve stress on the charging port and reduce the chance of disconnections.

8. Contact Apple Support: If none of the above steps work, and you're confident that the charging port is the problem, it's a good idea to reach out to Apple Support. They can provide guidance on whether your device is eligible for repair or replacement. If your device is still under warranty or you have AppleCare, they might cover the repair.

9. Consider Professional Repair: If your device is out of warranty or Apple's support options are not feasible for you, you could consider seeking help from a reputable third-party repair service. They can assess the charging port and offer solutions.

Remember that attempting any repairs yourself carries a risk of causing further damage, especially with delicate components like charging ports. If you're not comfortable with DIY repairs, it's better to seek professional help to avoid worsening the issue.

I had this same problem and it turns out there was just a big piece of pocket lint pushed into the very back of the charging port that was preventing the connector from being properly seated. Try digging around the very back of the port with a tool.

I’ve got 13 Plus Max and have had some of the issues described here, except that there hasn’t been any noticeable physical damage to the port itself. I *very* gently used a toothpick to try to root out lint. It brought out only very small amounts until I got to a back corner. While the amount of lint that came out really was quite small, getting this one little piece out made a *HUGE* difference in how well the lightning cord fit into the phone. The cable is no longer loose. And it gets a more reliable charge. Is it perfect? Not yet, I’m still playing with it a bit more. And the cable itself hasn’t been changed out. Overall, I’m inclined to think lint is the culprit for this of us who regularly put our phones in a pocket. Perhaps another step to consider after fixing the initial lint problem is to buy a phone case that has a little piece that covers the port. It’s a pain every time to open the cover to charge it, but as long as the port cover piece doesn’t come off the case as has happened in previous years, it ought to help solve the problem for the future.

Brian Ohlsen wrote:

I had the exact same thing with my 12. Tried blowing lint out with canned air, but still nothing. I then flattened the end of a small paper clip and dug out a significant amount of compressed lint. Aired it out again and it worked perfectly. Hope this helps.

Avoid using metal. Stick with something non-conductive.

We have been dealing with this for MONTHS with my husband's iPhone 13 Pro. We used compressed air and a brand new toothbrush. Really a low cost solution that (I felt) would be a no harm, no foul solution even if we ended up making the trek to the Apple Store 3 hours away. I felt like putting any kind of implement in there ran the risk of hurting the electronics. Anyhow, happy husband. The combo of compressed air and toothbrush worked for us.

I have had the same problem for two weeks or so. I looked it up on Google as, “iPhone charging cable loose”. The response told me to Use a Brand New Toothbrush to brush the charge port. I have done that for three days. My iPhone 13 is Much Better ! !

I hope that this helps.

I also have a iphone 13 pro and have this problem. Its just dust that gets stuck at the end of the port preventing the cable from going in all the way. I used a pick to clean it and works. This problem will keep happening though, as it gets dirty over time.

That was my exact problem, didn’t even think that about checking for that until I read ur post, I want and looked and yep big chuck of lint, got it out and now charging port is no longer loose

You don't fix it yourself. The issue is not the lightning plug, it is the port that has been damaged.

Make an appointment at the Apple Store or take the phone to an authorized Apple service shop. You can find a list of authorized shops in your area using this link:

Find Locations

Jayybugg227 wrote:

Well my charger goes down and I be trying to fix it but idk I’m a kid so don’t know what to do

Have you parents contact Apple and arrange for service:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

I tried this and it helped a lot!! I would also say get a coffee straw and blow into it so it can blow out any dust or small crumbs.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

You have discovered a very common problem with lightning ports. It is truly amazing how much pocket lint can get lodged there. And of course, every time you try to get the cable to stay in, you jam it it even further.

Years ago, phones often came with an attached little plug. But that would hardly have been in keeping with Apple's aesthetic.

However, you can buy them on Amazon:

Lightning Port Covers

An excellent option, thanks for that idea. 👏

With a wireless charger and bluetooth audio there should be a lot less wear and tear on the Lightning receptacle.

I had an iPod Touch (30-pin) and a Kobo Glo e-reader (mini USB) fail because of the connectors breaking and not being able to charge them again. Hence my anxiety about charging/data ports. Fortunately, there was just enough charge in the iPod to upload data to iCloud via wi-fi, and all my epubs were on my Mac Mini.

Contact Official Apple Supportf to schedule an assessment and obtain repair options.