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Since 2012, Apple has introduced lightning cables for charging iPhones, iPads, and Macbooks. This lightning cable has been a huge upgrade in terms of quality and efficiency for charging iPhones. However, some users have reported cracking near the USB plug-in. You might be wondering, “why do iPhone chargers crack despite being such highly efficient products?” The thing is, the outer part of the charger cable gets frayed or cracked after some time of usage due to poor strain relief in the end joints. While there isn't much you can do if the charger is already cracked, you can, however, prevent this from happening before it's too late. We are here to give you the answer to that specific question. In this article, you will get to know exactly why the charger cracks and what you can do in order to prevent this unfortunate incident from happening. Reasons Why iPhone Chargers Crack? Many users have reported that their iPhone charger has cracked on the plug-in end after only a few months of use. This is a very disappointing service from a company such as Apple. But there are particular reasons for this crack in the charger and we have listed all of those causes below. Plastic Sleeve For Strain Relief A few years ago, the connector part of the charger’s plug-in end used to be well secured, and the joint was sealed with a ribbed and thick material. This protected the cable ends from the heat inside and the strain due to the force applied from outside. However, the newer productions of lightning cable only feature a thinner plastic sleeve in the connector part. Even though this plastic gives a sleeker look, it is bad at protecting the charger cable. The plastic offers way too less strain relief for the charger to be alright while withstanding force. As a result, the iPhone charger fails to withstand the strain and begins cracking. Absence Of Strong PVC Material All around the world, PVC or Poly Vinyl Chloride is used in charging cables for making them more durable and increase their strength. PVC is a strong chemical component that is a necessity for protecting the outer layer of the charger cable. Apple has decided to produce more environmentally friendly products. Following this decision, a handful of good quality materials along with PVC were discarded from the production of iPhone chargers. The lack of PVC material to protect the charger resulted in the charger being prone to bending and cracking. Chip Inside The Charger Cable Only Apple uses a specific chip inside their lightning cables in order to ensure safety and regulate voltage. This chip is located at the connection point between the power pin and the cable. As a part of Apple's MFI Certification program, all iPhone chargers have these chips. During charging, these chips are bound to heat up due to the passing of voltage inside. So, the increased heat transfers through the cable wire inside and affects the plastic connector point. This thin plastic connector is brittle and prone to cracking when subjected to increased heat. Consequently, the chip heats up and cracks the plastic sleeve easily after just a few months of use. Mishandling The Charger Cable Rough usage of the iPhone charger undoubtedly leads to cracks forming sooner than expected. Pulling off the charger cable without firmly holding onto the charging port can cause excess strain on it. Moreover, keeping the charger carelessly bundled up also makes the joint bend unpleasantly. If you leave the adapter on after charging, the current flow will heat up the cable and weaken it. Sometimes, carrying around the charger connected to a power bank in your pocket all day also causes stress. All of these extra strain and misuse leads to quicker cracking of the iPhone charger. What Happens If the Charging Cable is Cracked? A little bit of crack at the end of your iPhone charger might not alarm you much. However, if you put it off as something small, the consequences will be much worse. The following unfortunate incidents can occur due to a cracked iPhone charger. Risk Of Electric Shock The charger cable protects you from the current running through the wires. If the casing is cracked, it becomes exposed to come in contact with your skin. Thus, the current in the charger can shock you abruptly and even leave burns. Damaging the iPhone A cracked charger can never flow electricity into the iPhone properly. It will create unprecedented electric surges which are not good for your iPhone. As a result, the internal components and battery of the iPhone might be damaged. Risk Of Fire Charging the iPhone with a cracked charger might bring a fire hazard to your place unexpectedly. The iPhone and charger will overheat due to the crack. It can lead to creating fire which is extremely dangerous in any place. How To Fix iPhone Charger Crack? Now that you know the dangers and hazards a cracked iPhone charger might lead to, you need to be careful. However, if the damage is already done to your charger, the first step would be to fix it. There are only two ways of fixing a cracked charger without replacing it right away. Method 1: Wrap Electrical Tape In order to prevent the crack from getting worse and preserve it longer, you can wrap electrical tape over the crack. Securely surround the cable with tape to cover the crack. This is just a temporary fix and will only protect the crack from getting bigger in the meantime. Method 2: Use Heat Shrink Tubing A more permanent and reliable fix for the cracked iPhone charger is using the heat shrink tube over it. This tube will make the charger work marvelously and lengthen its lifespan. 1. Purchase Heat Sink Tube The first thing you will need to do is buy fitting heat sink tubes. Measure the cord of your own iPhone charger and buy a suitable-sized heat sink tube accordingly. Make sure that the heat sink ratio is 3:1 on it. 2. Cut the tube to an appropriate length Take the heat sink tube and cut it in length. You need to make the cut so that the tube entirely covers the cracked part and more of it. The charging head must not be completely covered as it can mess with the charging action. Focus the tube on the connector part where the charger is cracked. 3. Slide The Heat Sink Tube on the charger After finding the right placement, tightly secure the tube around the charger so that there is no space left in between. 4. Heat the Tube Now you need to heat the tube in order to solder it together with the charger cable. You can use any safe heating source for this purpose. For the concentrated application of heat, using a lighter or a heat gun is recommended. Hold the cable at the end of the tube and carefully apply heat all around the heat sink tube. Turn the cable around 360 degrees slowly so that the heat is distributed evenly throughout all of the tube. If you are using a heat gun, make sure to keep the setting in low heat to avoid any accidents. 5. Wait for the heat sink tube to shrink After receiving adequate heat, the heat sink tube will begin to shrink. It will shrink snugly around the shape of the charging head and cable perfectly. Stop applying the heat when the tube is tightly woven around the charger like a natural part of it. How to Prevent iPhone Chargers from Cracking? The biggest enemy to a charger is being rough and inattentive while using it. Simply being aware of your actions and taking good care of the iPhone charger will make it last long. You can carefully take these measures in order to prevent the cracking of the iPhone charger anytime soon. Avoid bending of the charger at any possible moment. Bending is the number one reason for cracks in chargers. Firmly hold the charging head while inserting and removing the charger into your iPhone port. Don’t remove the charger by pulling off the cable roughly. Roll around the charger securely without bending while traveling. Don’t carry around the charger for an extended period of time in your pockets at an awkward angle. Once charging is complete, turn off the switch or remove the adapter from the electric plug. This will avoid heating up the charger with unnecessary current flow. Keep the charger at room temperature always. You can secure the ends of the charger with tape or a heat sink tube in advance. It will only act as extra protection for your charger. Frequently Asked Questions You can know a lot more about your iPhone charger by going through this section. We will be introducing you to some new but essential information regarding the iPhone charger you own. Does Apple Replace Ripped Chargers? Yes, Apple replaces ripped chargers for up to one year after the purchase. All the official Apple products have a manufacturer’s warranty of one year. So, within 12 months of purchase, the store will replace the ripped charger. Is it safe to use a cracked iPhone charger? No, it is not safe to use a cracked iPhone charger. It can heat up the phone and blow it up to start a fire. Random electric shock, injury, iPhone damage, and fire are the biggest risk factors of using a cracked iPhone charger. How long do iPhone chargers last? iPhone chargers last in perfect condition for only one year. You will notice signs of cracks and fraying after one year of use. By maintaining proper care, it can last a few more months long. How Do I Know I Need to Replace The Charger? When the charger fails to charge the iPhone or charges it too slowly, it is time for a replacement. If the USB port of the charger is damaged, you also need to replace it then. Conclusion It is true that the Apple chargers might not be as up to par as we expect. Due to the building material and chip installation in the iPhone chargers, Apple has greatly decreased the lifespan of their chargers. So, it is normal to notice your charger getting cracked or frayed at the ends. Follow through with the guide in order to repair the already cracked part of the cable. It is a relatively easy process to fix it. However, if the charger still gives you trouble after repair, all you can do is get a new functional charger for your iPhone. Take good care of the charger while using it to get its full potential lifespan.

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