iPhone not charging? Is the charging cable loose or does it slip out of the port? Here are four iPhone charging port repair options and how much each costs, plus a breakdown of whether you should fix it or sell it.
NOTE: If your iPhone is still under warranty, check with Apple to see if you can get your iPhone repaired for free. Here’s Apple’s warranty coverage checker.
Here’s what you can generally expect to pay to repair or replace your iPhone charging port (a.k.a. lightning connector or lightning dock).
| iPhone Charging Port Repair Option | Estimated Price Range |
| Lint/Debris Removal | $0 |
| DIY Repair | $5 – $100 |
| Professional Repair Service | $79 – $599 |
| Phone Insurance Claim | $99 – $250 |
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Over time, lint and other debris can work its way into the charging port and prevent the contacts from making a solid connection to the charging cable, especially if you carry your iPhone in your pocket or purse. Follow these steps to remove it.
You might need to alternate between compressed air and the toothpick to completely remove lint from the charging port. Be careful to avoid damaging the contacts. Once the debris is removed, your charger can make a solid connection and your iPhone should charge.
Here’s a video overview:
If that doesn’t work, you might need to replace your charging cable or charging port.
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You can replace your own iPhone charging port if you’re tech savvy and have a bit of patience. It’s the cheapest replacement option; however, it requires you to disassemble your iPhone, so you shouldn’t attempt the repair if you’re not comfortable doing that.
Expect to pay between $5 and $100 for a new charging port, depending on your iPhone model. Most are sold as charging port/flex cable assemblies, which are easier to replace than standalone charging ports because they don’t need soldered. Toolkits start at $5 if you don’t already have the tools you need.
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Here are some example replacement iPhone charging port prices.
| Model | iFixit | eTech Parts | FixEZ |
| iPhone 12 | $100 | $100 | $35 |
| iPhone 11 | $25 | $60 | $12 |
| iPhone X | $30 | $8 | $10 |
WARNING: This can be a difficult repair, especially if you aren’t experienced. Understand the risk of additional damage that could void any warranties and insurance policies.
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The process differs slightly by model, but generally involves these steps:
Consult resources like iFixit and YouTube for detailed, step-by-step instructions. Here are some examples for the iPhone 12, iPhone 11 and iPhone X.
iPhone 12
iPhone 11
iPhone X
| iPhone | Samsung | |
| OnePlus | LG | Motorola |
A safer option might be to have your iPhone charging port replaced by a professional repair shop. Local options can often complete the repair in a day, either in-store or at your location. Online mail-in repair services take longer, but they’re good options if there are no local repair shops.
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Expect to pay between $79 and $599 for professional iPhone charging port replacement, depending on your model – but note that Apple’s repair fees skew that range. Mail-in repair services like iFixYouri and iFixScreens typically charge between $100 and $120 for charging port repair.
That said, it can be difficult to find non-Apple repair services for the latest models. Here are some example prices:
| Model | Apple (out of warranty) | iFixYouri | iFixScreens |
| iPhone 12 | $449 | n/a | n/a |
| iPhone 11 | $399 | $100 | $120 |
| iPhone X | $549 | $100 | $120 |
Before you choose a repair company, it’s a good idea to ask if they offer any warranties on parts and labor. You should also inquire about your service tech’s experience, credentials and part quality.
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If you have iPhone insurance, you can file a claim directly with your insurer, who might offer a choice between mail-in, in-store or on-location repair services. Some companies will overnight a refurbished replacement iPhone rather than repair and return yours.
Expect to pay a deductible ranging between $99 and $250, depending on your model and insurance company. Here are some example iPhone charging port repair deductibles.
| Insurer | Charging Port Repair Deductible |
| AppleCare+ | $99 |
| SquareTrade | $149 |
| AT&T | $200 – $250 |
| Verizon | $229 |
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Should you fix your iPhone charging port or sell it broken? You can base your decision on how much your iPhone is worth broken versus repaired, especially if you plan to upgrade soon.
Start by calculating the net value of your iPhone after charging port repair (you can look up the current value of your iPhone on Flipsy).
For example, at the time of this writing, an iPhone X 64GB on the Verizon network was worth $255 in good condition. Here’s a breakdown of its net value after different repair options.
iPhone X Value – Cost of Repair = Net Value After Repair
| Repair Method | Value (good condition) | – Repair/Deductible Cost | Net Value After Repair |
| DIY | $255 | $10 | $245 |
| AppleCare+ | $255 | $99 | $156 |
| SquareTrade Insurance | $255 | $149 | $106 |
| Verizon Insurance | $255 | $229 | $26 |
| Independent Repair Shop | $255 | $100 | $155 |
| Apple Repair (out of warranty) | $255 | $549 | -$294 |
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Next, compare the net value after repair to what your iPhone is worth in broken condition. At the time of this writing, a broken iPhone X 64GB on the Verizon network was worth $105.
iPhone X Net Value After Repair VS Broken Value
| Repair Method | Net Value After Repair | Value Broken |
| DIY | $245 | $105 |
| AppleCare+ | $156 | $105 |
| SquareTrade Insurance | $106 | $105 |
| Verizon Insurance | $26 | $105 |
| Independent Repair Shop | $155 | $105 |
| Apple Repair (out of warranty) | -$294 | $105 |
As the table depicts, our example iPhone will have significantly more net value if you repair it yourself, file an AppleCare+ claim or take it to an independent repair shop.
However, the Verizon insurance deductible leaves a net value of just $26, while Apple repair costs more than the phone is worth, so you’d lose money by going with those options.
If you have SquareTrade insurance, the difference between the net value after repair and the broken value is just $1, which might make you question whether it’s worth the hassle.
Of course, your decision depends not only on the value, but also how long you intend to keep your iPhone. If you plan to hold on to it for a few more years, it’s cheaper to repair the charging port than to buy a new iPhone. If you plan to upgrade soon and trade in your old phone, however, it’s worth running the numbers to see whether you’ll get more value after repair or selling it as-is.
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