With everyday use, your smartphone can become a haven for dirt and debris, particularly inside the charging port and speakers. And that’s not just gross. It can also disrupt the charging process and muffle the sound, according to Apple and Samsung.
In fact, Alex Hausfeld, the manager of a uBreakiFix tech repair store in Cincinnati, Ohio, says he often sees as many as five customers a day with smartphone charging issues. "The majority of the time, a cleaning does the trick," he says.
But what’s the safest way to go about cleaning the grime from those tiny receptacles? We consulted with a few experts—in-house and out—for advice. Here’s what they told us.
In this article
- Choose Your Tools Wisely
- Where Are the Speakers on an iPhone?
- Where Are the Speakers on a Samsung Phone?
- More Ways to Troubleshoot
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Hausfeld advises against using a brush on the charging port, though, because some bristles could come loose and lodge inside the opening. He prefers to go with non-metal tools like a toothpick or cotton swab instead. They’re small enough to safely do the job, he says.
Avoid using sharper tools like paperclips or tweezers to dig out debris, adds Henry Parra, head of CR’s smartphone testing, because they could harm the mesh screen inside the speakers or the metal pins in the charging port.
Stay away from compressed air, too, Apple warns, which could damage delicate parts inside the phone or push dirt deeper into the device.
If you have trouble dislodging debris—or you’re simply not confident doing this sort of handiwork yourself—consider hiring a pro. Cell phone repair shops like the Apple Store, Best Buy, and uBreakiFix provide such services.
Where Are the Speakers on an iPhone?
It’s easy to locate the charging port on a phone, but it’s not always clear where to find the speakers. On the latest iPhones, they’re on the bottom of the device, to the right of the charging port. The holes to the left, which you can also clean with a soft-bristle brush, are part of the built-in microphone.
There is a secondary speaker at the top of the phone’s screen, near where your ear is placed during a call.
Where Are the Speakers on a Samsung Phone?
On the latest Samsung Galaxy S-series phones, the main speakers are also located at the bottom of the device, to the right of the charging port. Another speaker is located at the top of the screen, near where your ear sits during a call. The microphones are at the very top of the device and at the bottom, just to the left of the charging port.
More Ways to Troubleshoot
If you’re dealing with audio issues, phone cases and screen covers can also cause problems, Samsung says. Carefully remove and clean them using soap and water, then make sure they’re thoroughly dry before putting them back on. [Note: Some screen protectors are applied with adhesive and can’t be reinstalled once removed.] This alone may resolve the problem. If not, you might need to buy a case or screen protector with a better fit to avoid blocking the speakers.
Water or moisture inside the speakers can distort the audio, too. On their websites, Apple and Samsung both provide steps you can take to rescue a waterlogged phone.
Charging issues can have different root causes, too. Check for damaged charging accessories, like a bent or broken cable or USB adapter, Apple suggests. If the charging port itself is damaged, you may need to replace it. A good trick to tell whether debris is the culprit? "If you plug your phone in and can see part of the charger not going all the way into the device, that tells you something is blocking it," Hausfeld says. "Even the slightest bit of lint can stop it."
If all else fails, try powering the phone off and on. That will reset it and perhaps restore it to working order.
@consumerreports When was the last time you gave your phone a good clean? Try these expert tips and see other advice through the link in our bio. #cleantok #techtok #techtoktips #phonecleaning
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Courtney Lindwall
Courtney Lindwall is a writer at Consumer Reports. Since joining CR in 2023, she’s covered the latest on cell phones, smartwatches, and fitness trackers as part of the tech team. Previously, Courtney reported on environmental and climate issues for the Natural Resources Defense Council. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.
