How to Fix Charge Issues iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

At times your battery may not accept a charge on your phone. This could be for various reasons.

iOS device plugged in and charging.

This guide will help you determine if there is damage to your battery and you need to have your device repaired.

2. Restart

To restart your device:

iOS devices with side buttons pointed out

Restart your iPhone X

  1. Press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn your iPhone X completely off.
  3. After your iPhone X turns off, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Restart your iPhone 8 or earlier, iPad, or iPod touch

  1. Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn your device completely off.
  3. After the device turns off, press and hold the Top (or Side) button again until you see the Apple logo.

With iOS 11 or later, you can also turn off your device by going to Settings, then General, then Shut Down.

3. Test Another Cable or Port

Switch From Wireless ChargingCurrently the only the only iPhone models that support wireless charging are the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X.

If you've been trying to charge your device wirelessly, plug in a lightning cable and try charging manually.

iPhone with lightning cable plugged in

Try Another Cable

If the lightning cable you're currently using is not working, try a different lightning cable.

An Apple lightning cable

Try Another Charger

Apple charger

If a different lightning cable does not make a difference, try using a different USB charger.

Try a Different Outlet

If a different USB charger does not work, attempt to use the chargers and cables you have available in a different power outlet.

Try Your Computer's USB Port

If none of the above is successful, attempt to charge your device through an available USB port on your computer. If this does begin to charge your device, keep in mind that charging from your computer will take a significantly longer amount of time due to the difference in power output.

iPhone connected to a computer's USB port.

4. Clean the Charging Port

Power off your device and use a small implement (such as a toothpick) to gently remove any debris that might be lodged in the charging port.

iPhone with the charging port magnified


iPhone with a toothpick being used to clean out the charging port

5. What's next?

6. Accessory Not Supported

iOS this accessory may not be supported pop up

These alerts can appear for a number of reasons. Your iOS device might have a dirty or damaged charging port, the charging accessory you're using may be defective, damaged, or non Apple-certified, or your USB charger may be malfunctioning or wasn't designed specifically to charge certain iOS devices.

  1. Remove any debris from the charging port on the bottom of your device.
  2. Restart your device.
  3. Try a different USB cable or charger.

7. What's next?

8. Cool Down

  • The ambient temperature in the area could cause your phone to overheat.
Hot temperature clip art
  • Avoid having your iPhone in direct sunlight.
Do not put in direct sunlight.
  • Your iPhone's bezel is designed to dissipate heat. You may need to remove the case to help that.
iPhone case.
  • Your iPhone will warm up while it charges. To extend the lifespan of your battery, if the battery gets too warm, software might limit charging above 80 percent. Your iPhone will charge again when the temperature drops.
  • Your iPhone will heat up from regular use.

9. What's next?