The iPhone 16 charges over USB-C. It reaches about 50% in roughly 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter, and it also charges wirelessly with MagSafe or Qi2 at up to 25W. So when it suddenly won't charge, you've got options to narrow it down fast.
What it can cost
| Fix | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cleaning lint out of the port | Free (DIY) |
| New cable or adapter | Price of the accessory |
| Apple Other damage fee, iPhone 16 | $619 |
| Apple Other damage with AppleCare+ | $99 |
| Defect under Apple's 1-year warranty | Covered (accidental and liquid damage excluded) |
1. Clean the port (the most common fix)
Pockets are full of lint, and every time you plug in a cable, you pack it a little deeper. Eventually the cable can't seat all the way, and charging gets flaky or stops.
- Turn the phone off.
- Shine a flashlight into the port. Lint looks like gray felt at the bottom.
- Gently loosen and lift it out with a plastic pick or a needle wrapped in tape. Tom's Guide warns against toothpicks, since they're too big for a USB-C port.
- Don't scrape the contacts on the center tongue, and don't force anything.
Apple's own guide for charging problems tells you to remove any debris from the charging port and firmly plug the cable back in.
2. Try a different cable and adapter
Cables fail way more often than ports. Apple says to inspect the cable and adapter for damage and not to use damaged accessories. Try a cable you know works on another device, and plug into a different wall outlet.
3. Try wireless charging
Put the phone on a MagSafe or Qi2 charger. If it charges wirelessly but not by cable, the battery and charging circuit are probably fine and the problem is the port, the cable or debris.
4. Read the liquid alert
If you see Liquid Detected in USB-C Connector, the phone found moisture and blocked charging on purpose. Apple's advice:
- Unplug everything.
- Tap the phone gently against your hand with the port facing down.
- Leave it in a dry spot with some airflow, and try again after at least 30 minutes. Full drying can take up to 24 hours.
- Don't put it in rice, don't use a hair dryer or compressed air, and don't stick a cotton swab or paper towel in the port.
- Wireless charging still works if the back of the phone is dry.
5. Check if it's stuck at 80%
This one fools a lot of people. Apple says that if the battery gets too warm, software may limit charging above 80% until it cools down. Optimized Battery Charging can also hold at 80% overnight, and iPhone 15 and later models can be set to a charging limit. Move the phone somewhere cooler and check your charging settings in Settings > Battery.
6. Restart or force restart
Restart the phone. If it's frozen, force restart it: press and quickly release volume up, then volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo shows up. Then charge it for half an hour.
7. Watch for the accessory alert
An Accessory Not Supported alert can mean a dirty or damaged port, a bad accessory, or a charger not designed for phones. Apple suggests plugging directly into the charger, cleaning the port, restarting, trying another cable, and updating iOS.
8. Book a repair
If none of that works with two known-good cables, the port or charging hardware may be damaged. Ask Apple or a shop:
- Is this a warranty defect, or will it be billed as damage?
- If it's damage, is the fee the $619 Other damage price (or $99 with AppleCare+)?
- If a shop offers a port repair, what's the warranty, and will it affect water resistance? (The iPhone 16 is rated IP68 to 6 meters for 30 minutes from the factory.)
Is it worth fixing?
If the fix is lint or a cable, obviously yes, it costs almost nothing. If Apple quotes $619 without AppleCare+, that's a lot for a 2024 phone. Get a quote from a reputable independent shop and compare. If your battery is also tired, see our iPhone 16 battery guide first, since slow charging and a worn battery can look alike.
All iPhone 16 prices live on the iPhone 16 page. Apple prices checked October 14, 2026.
