iPhone 5 not charging

I'm 99% convinced the Lightning connector is just plain defective.

I had an iPod touch 5 which I eventually had to toss as it just wouldn't charge. I had cable after cable (all from Apple) die on me, then finally even new cables wouldn't work.

At some point I figured out that Amazon's "Amazon Basics" lightning cables actually seem to be more reliable than Apple's. (Cheaper too, which is a nice side benefit.)

At any rate despite horrible experiences with my iPod touch 5 and lightning in general, I bought an iPhone 5s last October. I babied that thing like crazy! I bought all new cables, so in case something had somehow contaminated cables I'd used with my iPod nano or iPod touch, it wouldn't wreck my iPhone. I bought 3 docks, so that the lightning connector would never touch the ground or a table or my hand or anything else...it can only touch the iPhone's connector.

I also tried to use my iPhone as little as possible. I mostly only moved it from my cradle at home to a slot for it in my bag to its cradle at work. I mostly used other mobile devices where I really should have been using my iPhone, just to try to baby the iPhone.

Well, it all lasted longer than it had with my iPod touch and nano, but yesterday with no warning it wouldn't charge, then gave an invalid accessory error, then quit working altogether.

I put way, way WAY more use into my iPad 2, my iPad classic, etc., don't baby them 1/4 as much, and don't have this problem. (not to mention my horrible Nexus 7, my portable game consoles, etc...all of which aren't babied 1/4 as much as I've been babying this 5s, expecting this to happen).

Since it's only been 10 months, I guess I'll try wiping my 5s (while it still has power) and calling Apple, but at this point I don't trust lightning at all. I've scrapped plans to buy another iPad, I'm 99% confident even if Apple replaces my phone it'll just die again, and I just can't justify getting another device that uses lightning.

Been super annoyed by some comments I've read around the internet that people are damaging it themselves...it's like no, I could not possibly have been more careful with this save for LEAVING IT IN THE BOX when I bought it back in October. I do not roll the cables. I do not bend the cables. I do not transport the cables. While there could be microscopic lint particles or something from when I stick it in my completely clean jeans, it's nothing that ALL OTHER HARDWARE can't handle without any issues whatsoever.

Super frustrated as I really hate Android and neither Android nor Windows Phone handles syncing and podcasts and things like that anywhere near as well as Apple *sigh*

Wow, that's shocking. If it's still under warranty get it back to them asap. It's seriously not good enough for an $800 device.

Dropping the ball on this big time Apple.

Get it sorted.

I just inverted the piece that goes into the phone - one side works fine, the other no.

Hi Guys, I have run into similar issues with iphone5, I recently ordered and received a device called USB Doctor (or Dr.USB), it's made by HDfury. With that device I can charge my iphone with any chargers, even my car charger is now working and I can even use my wife android charger to charge my iphone. another good aspect is that I can also charge my wife's android phone on an iphone charger using this device. Finally an useful piece of hardware.

Well, I'm impressed so far with how Apple's service has gone. (I've never dealt with it before as I'm uncomfortable sending a device in that has my info/passwords on it even if supposedly no one can get at it if I wipe it...but t his was $950 sooooo I guess I'm taking a chance.)

We'll see what happens.

I'm not sure what to do though if I get a working one back. I don't trust that connector at all, so I'm wondering if when I get a working one if I should just trade it in to Amazon or something.

Okay sounds crazy but my iPhone 5 stopped charging on one side of the Lightning cable. I have tested over 4 MFI cables and 4 different chargers. Same thing. I even cleaned my iPhone port by removing all the lint inside of it but no changes. So the last thing I did was to fill the lightning port with 91% isopropyl alcohol. It evaporates almost instantly so I wasn't concerned about damaging my iPhone + didn' t have to clean anything. To my surprise, it did work and my iPhone can now be charged on BOTH ways ! Give it a try I know it's crazy but it did work..

Hey qkpham, Are you NUTS! filling to the port with alcohol!! This is a very bad idea, the port is not sealed and the alcohol leaking inside the device is not good for the components. I'd say you got lucky, and would not record the practice. Cheers.

I'm not brave enough to try that!

Just got my 5s back in from service...or rather another 5s. I'll have to check it out, see if it looks newish or not.

I like iOS, but I'm seriously leaning towards selling it, as I don't for a second believe that the same thing won't happen again.

JEM24, I understand it is not recommended but I only used like 2-3 drops of alcohol that almost instantly evaporated. iPhone was off of course. If you are worried that alcohol might leak inside. Just try a cotton swab impregnated with alcohol. I used to clean my old Logitech mouse charging contacts back then and it did fix my charging issues. So why not the iPhone? I mean it did fix my issue so anyway I'm happy with the result.

Also google for 91% isopropyl alcohol.. It is safe for electronic circuits cleaning.... It is important to make a distinction between acetone and isopropyl alcohol that evaporates almost instantly without residues.

I'll have to bear this in mind for future reference! Better than spending another $950 at least LOL

hello , i am living in pakistan and i have iphone5s i have bought this iphone 20 days ago and now my charger doesn't work , i bought another chager cable it dosent work also even for one day , here in pakistan there is no apple store to return my charger and get new one , i dont know can i order a chrger from U.S ?? please help me apple ...

Hey qkpham, One to two drops of alcohol on a Q-tip is a whole different picture then filling the port with alcohol. I'm glad you problem turned out to be corrosion, and the alcohol cleaned it out. But I still would not recommend pouring alcohol or anyone other liquid into the port. Although you had the device turned off, there is still an electrical charge. Alcohol is still a conductive liquid, and as anyone knows conductive liquids inside an electronic device is a bad thing, should a short occur you can cause permanent damage. Cheers.

Hey Farhatseair, Did you check the charging port for foreign debris? Lint or dirt / dust, corrosion; all of which can cause your problem by blocking an electrical connection. With a strong light and a magnifying glass, inspect the port for debris also look for signs of damage; cracks, missing parts, etc. If you see debris, first-- try to remove it by blowing it out, second-- use a soft brush, like am artist brush to remove the debris. Only use a probe if you must. If you do, use a non-conductive probe, I find a wooden toothpick works well, carefully remove the debris. Just be carefully to not touch, bend or damage the gold pins on the long side of the port. If corrosion noted try to remove / clean by plugging / unplugging the the cable several times, if you must place one to two drops of 91% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab (Q-tip), so it is damp not wet, then insert / remove the swab with an up and down motion several times, attempt to clean the contact pins. Repeat as needed until the swap comes out clean, may need several swabs and you may need to cut the swab to fit the port. If none of this is your problem, Have you attempted to reset or restore? AND, before you restore, try to make backups so you did not lose your information. Also before you restore, have you tried a different charging device? May not be the cable but the power supply. If none of the above work for you, contact Apple about finding a Apple certified service center in your area or how to ship your device to Apple for service. Good luck. Cheers.

Do you guys think Apple's going to fix the lightning connector, or finally just switch to USB like everyone else?

Ugh...I got a new 5s back, but I'm sure the same thing will just happen again, most likely out of warranty.

I'm thinking my options are use it, sell it and use the money towards a 6, or sell it and just keep using Windows Phone/Android.

I like iOS in a lot of ways, but...

Apple does not sell or support iPhones in Pakistan

Your iPhone is a grey import from somewhere

If you want service or support in or post warranty you will have to determine where the iPhone originated or get support from whoever you purchased it

No you cannot order from The US Apple.com site .They do not ship cross border