Nothing is more frustrating than putting your iPhone on charge only to discover that it has been charging backward.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you’re not alone. It happened to me and I found several reasons why this might be happening.
Your iPhone may be charging backward because its battery has outlived its lifespan or defaulted. Other reasons include problems with the charging port, malfunctioning/non-MFi (Made for iPhone) charger use, inadequate electrical current, and use of power-hungry apps while charging.
Before you rush to the nearest Apple store to get your battery replaced and spend more money than the problem called for, there are several solutions you can try to curb this issue. Keep reading to find out how to stop your iPhone from charging backward.
How Do I Stop My iPhone From Charging Backwards?
According to Apple, you should avoid using your iPhone while charging. If your iPhone case material generates excess heat, remove it while charging. Avoid harsh temperatures, specifically those above 95° F (35° C). Optimize your iPhone’s settings by enabling Auto-Brightness and Low Power Mode.
Suppose you have already followed the guidelines mentioned above for your iPhone and the reverse charging problem still happens,in that case, you can get into several nitty-gritty details to resolve the matter.
The following is a list of solutions that you can to try to fix the reverse charging problem for your iPhone:
1. Clean Your Charging Port
Over time, your iPhone’s USB port can collect dust, dirt, debris, and lint, negatively impacting the electrical current and deteriorating the charging quality or, worse, stopping the charging process altogether. Fortunately, you can clean the charging port via compressed air or a toothpick.
The Toothpick Cleaning Method
Use the following steps to clean the USB charging port with compressed air
- Pick a strong toothpick, preferably a wooden one.
- Ensure you have adequate lighting to clean the USB port.
- Lightly scrape off the dust that you can see.
- Gently shake the device to clean out the remnants.
The Compressed Air Cleaning Method
Use the following steps to clean the USB charging port with compressed air:
- Use a canned duster and ensure that it’s in an upright position.
- Point the nozzle of your duster into the charging port.
- Press the nozzle and spray short bursts of air to clean out the dirt.
- Gently shake the iPhone to ensure all remaining particles are removed.
You can pick up a can of compressed air, for a bargain on Amazon
Is your iPhone charging port broken? If your iPhone charging backward a broken port could be the reason if so, read my article to see if you can repair it.
2. Borrow a Friend’s Charger to Confirm It’s Not The Cable
If your charger or the charging cable has broken, you might not notice, as the damage to the wire could be inside. However, a quick way to find out if the charger is damaged or has outlived its lifespan is to ask a friend or relative for their charger.
If your iPhone is charging correctly with your friend’s charger, you’ll have to purchase a new one for yourself. Check out these iPhone chargers on Amazon; they’re all MFi’s (made for iPhones) and relatively budget-friendly.
3. Drain Your iPhone’s Battery Completely
Some iPhone users have reported that draining their iPhone’s battery has helped resolve the reverse charging problems. If the solutions mentioned above weren’t of any help, you could use your iPhone until it completely runs out of battery.
Then, leave it uncharged for 12 hours, and put it on charge without turning it back on. Only turn your iPhone on once the battery level hits 100%.
4. Consider Getting the Battery Replaced
Only one solution can fix the reverse charging problem if all else has failed, replacing the battery. It’s best to leave the battery replacement job in the hands of technicians because, even though iPhone batteries are removable, they are difficult to replace.
Thankfully replacing an iPhone battery is the cheapest repair you can do, which makes a HUGE difference to your iPhone. For a complete guide on the cost of repairing an iPhone look no further than my helpful guide.
You also don’t want to lose the warranty on your iPhone or the new battery, so it’s best to visit the Apple store near you or speak to an authorized technician for help.