iPhone Xs and Xs max charging issue effecting all phones

If you didn't already find it, update your iOS to v12.0.1 which addresses some charging issues for the XS family of phones. Settings / General / Software Update

I get this charging issue - iPhone XS Max not charging when plugged in on stand by - when using the supplied 5W charger and legacy USB to lighting cable. However when using the 30W fast charger and USB-C cable I bought to speed up the (very) slow charge I was getting out the box there’s no problem.

There is a new security feature in iOS 12 that disables the Lightning port on a locked phone 30 minutes after the phone has been idle. This is to prevent hackers (or the police or FBI) from hacking into your phone through the port to get your data. If you use a wall adapter to charge the phone (or a wireless charging pad) it should still charge, but if you are using a computer USB port it will not.

This change was made because there is a security company that sells a hacking tool that works through the port.

All true but my point concerns the ongoing problem of charging not commencing when the lightning connector is plugged in and with the screen off. I have found that I get this problem with the 5W charger but not with the 30W charger.

JohnCoventry wrote:

I get this charging issue - iPhone XS Max not charging when plugged in on stand by - when using the supplied 5W charger and legacy USB to lighting cable. However when using the 30W fast charger and USB-C cable I bought to speed up the (very) slow charge I was getting out the box there’s no problem.

Two points.

(1) The 5W charger supplied is capable of 1000mA output. That is about the maximum desirable for regular charging to 100% on most smartphones. Recent iPhones are capable of fast charge with the USB-C adapter, but if I remember correctly they are limited to about 80% at fast charge, then fall back to a lower rate to avoid overheating problems.

(2) The power adapter is simply a voltage source providing a regulated 5.0v supply at the end of a Lightning cable. All the control of charging is done by the device being charged, so it is not inherently the USB-C adapter which makes a difference except that it has a higher maximum charging current. OK, the USB-C fast charge detects something different in the cable to tell the phone it can fast charge, but that only comes into play when the phone starts controlling the charge current after the initial wakeup.

A new security feature disables the port if the phone has not been unlocked for an hour. To see if this is the problem go to Settings/Touch ID & Passcode and turn on USB Accessories. Normally this will only apply to data transfer devices, but if the cable or power source is not MFI certified or is defective it might also disable a power source.

clive336 wrote:

If you remove the lightning cable from the phone, turn it round and plug it back in it will start charging (mine and a friend's does any way). Seems to apply to the supplied charging cable

That means the cable is defective and should not be used.

If you remove the lightning cable from the phone, turn it round and plug it back in it will start charging (mine and a friend's does any way). Seems to apply to the supplied charging cable

Hi at all,

my iphone had the same issue.

After a SOFTRESET it works very well!!

frvrngn wrote:

It is Not working how it should. I can simply hit my power button to turn off the screen and the cable is not recognized. Screen must be awake for it to charge. This is after a couple of seconds of the screen being off, not the new security feature they added to the port.

Then there is something wrong with your phone. Make a Genius Bar appointment and they will either fix it or replace it. BTW, how do you know it’s not charging when the screen is of? There is no charge indicator when it’s off.

Because on my wifes XS or my older iPhones and iPads as soon as you plug in the cable the phone chimes, screen turns on and shows it charging... My phone is not powered off, the screen is off. It works if the screen is on. It does not work reliably with the screen off. I have tried 3 different Apple cables, 3 different aftermarket cables that work on all other Apple devices and 5 different bricks from the small one included all the way up to a large multiport USB charger.

I tried making a Genius Bar appointment. They have a 1 week wait to get in or I can come stand in the first come first serve area. Since my phone is days old I am going back to T Mobile to see about a return/exchange although others are saying exchanged ones are doing it as well.

iPhone XS Max The phone doesn't charge until you wake up or tap in the screen, and sometimes I even have to twist and turn the lightning cable in order to begin the charging.

pjprime wrote:

iPhone XS Max The phone doesn't charge until you wake up or tap in the screen, and sometimes I even have to twist and turn the lightning cable in order to begin the charging.

There might be two problems here. I make no judgement about the phone-wake to commence charging, because I have yet to see it on my own devices. However, having to "twist and turn the Lightning cable" is a strong indication for a defective cable with intermittent connections. Replace your Lightning cable.

I have the same issue a few times, but I have an iPhone 8 Plus, probably it’s an iOS bug. The battery icon doesn’t change or phone doesn’t wake up so I unplugged and plug it in again 2 or 3 times until I hear the sound and the icon changes when is awake or the screen turns on when not. I didn’t care much until I see a post.

If you have a charging issue with your XS Max, you'd best have it checked out at your local Apple Store.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Did you see the battery charge indicator come in when you plugged in your cord?