mswaine

Q: iPhone 6 in capsule to be opened in 21 years.

So I'm planning to put an iPhone 6 in a time capsule to be opened in 21 years. I will obviously include cables and charger. What do you thing the odds are that it will charge up and be able to run some apps.

Posted on Jul 29, 2016 5:03 PM

Close

Q: iPhone 6 in capsule to be opened in 21 years.

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jul 29, 2016 5:14 PM in response to mswaine
    Level 6 (15,709 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 29, 2016 5:14 PM in response to mswaine

    None. The battery will die (and I mean it will not charge at all) after being in zero charge condition for a day or so. It will be totally inoperable. However someone could replace the battery and if the phone is sealed from corrosion it could in concept work.

  • by Ingo2711,Solvedanswer

    Ingo2711 Ingo2711 Jul 30, 2016 8:40 AM in response to mswaine
    Level 7 (25,341 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 30, 2016 8:40 AM in response to mswaine

    I would ask an Apple Authorized Service Provider or the Genius at the Apple Store to take out the battery before you put it inside the capsule.

    The main problem will be the battery being empty and not charged regularly. The old battery pack from my MacBook Pro 17'' extended after letting it sit in a shelf for two years.

  • by mswaine,

    mswaine mswaine Jul 30, 2016 8:45 AM in response to Ingo2711
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 30, 2016 8:45 AM in response to Ingo2711

    Thank, I'll get myself to a genius bar.

  • by mswaine,

    mswaine mswaine Jul 30, 2016 8:49 AM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 30, 2016 8:49 AM in response to elcpu

    Thanks, but FYI the iPone in question has been dischrged for more than a month. I plugged it in the other day and it charged right up and worked as expected. Of course 21 years could be a different story.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jul 30, 2016 8:54 AM in response to mswaine
    Level 6 (15,709 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 30, 2016 8:54 AM in response to mswaine

    mswaine wrote:

    Thanks, but FYI the iPone in question has been dischrged for more than a month. I plugged it in the other day and it charged right up and worked as expected. Of course 21 years could be a different story.

     

    You are lucky!!!   Here is the advice from Lawrence Finch, the top expert on Batteries in this forum.

     

    The worst thing you can do is drain the battery to 0%, then not charge it immediately. After it reaches zero and shuts off there's a small amount of energy left, but if you leave it uncharged for long it WILL go flat and kill the battery. So if it reaches zero, charge it soon (within hours). And never leave a phone unused for weeks or months on end without periodically recharging it.

     

    When to charge your iPhone or iPad

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Jul 30, 2016 9:05 AM in response to mswaine
    Level 7 (24,018 points)
    Jul 30, 2016 9:05 AM in response to mswaine

    No lithium technology battery will last that long, used or unused. Lithium cells begin decaying from internal oxidation the moment they are assembled. Their useful lifespan is finite, whether used or stored, and their shelf life is far, far less then 21 years.

     

    It is also extremely likely to swell during that time, from the gases produced from that auto-oxidation. If it ruptures and releases chemicals into the phone, those will in turn corrode anything they come in contact with, and whomever opens the time capsule would be exposed to toxic chemical reaidue.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jul 30, 2016 9:50 AM in response to mswaine
    Level 6 (15,709 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 30, 2016 9:50 AM in response to mswaine

    FYI, just contacted Finch. His reply:

     

    An iPhone that is left completely discharged can survive for several weeks if the battery is in good condition, maybe even a couple of months. But it's taking a huge risk. Because it may not.