How To Fix A Broken iPhone Charger Cable
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2022
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I will run you through 3 different options to fix your damaged iPhone charger cable. All 3 of these solutions are easy and you might have everything you need already at home. If not the most you will spend is $5 or $6 instead of $20 or $30 on a new cable.
3M Super 33+ Electrical Tape: amzn.to/3DzLUjp
3M 35 Electrical Tape (White): amzn.to/3LqiZQu
Heat Shrink Kit (2:1 Standard): amzn.to/3BuXObr
Heat Shrink Kit (3:1 Marine Grade): amzn.to/3BTw55M
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The first thing I do when unboxing a new iPhone charger cable is put a couple layers of heat shrink tubing over the end to reinforce the cable. I then cut some pieces of Gaffers tape and tape on either side over the heat shrink and plastic connector to form little "wings". This allows you to pull on the wings when disconnecting and never pull on the cable itself. I have three heavily used cables that are over 5 years old and still in perfect condition.
I have been doing that also, but as careful as I am, my cords that I have replaced directly from Apple, still have only lasted about a year (after adding the tubing), before having the original wire casing bunch-up at the point right after the end of the heat shrink tubing.
The manufacturer can fix this issue but they won't because the faster the product fails the sooner you have to buy another from them. 🤬
can i see how u do it?
Yes, I was going to ask if these techniques could be used as a _preventative_ measure - seemed an obvious first step to me.
I have Anker right-angle fast-charging cables for my Mac and iPhone and they always seem to last really well, thankfully...
Same here and no issues
Thank you the clear instructions with no annoying music. I appreciate having different options as well.
I've used shrink tape but never thought about incorporating a spring, brilliant!
Do option 3 on a new cable for preventive maintenance. 👍
I like your style 👊
Great video bro! I’m 76 and a diyer and never knew about the tape thing, I’ve always stretched to tear it!
Thanks for the lesson and the spring idea! ☮✌🏻
i just got a new iphone this christmas......and i did the "good" solution right away with no damage on the cable.......prevention is better than cure
1. That broken shielding acts as a ground. While you may not specifically need it, it's a good thing to re-connect it if possible.
2. Many phone cases have an opening for the cable just big enough to fit the plug end through. Be sure as you enlarge the plug end by putting heat shrink or tape on it that you don't prevent the plug from going into your phone case. You may need to start the heat shrink further back from the end of the plug.
3. Love the marine heat shrink idea!
The shield should not be a signal ground (e.g. for USB power or data). It should just be an RF shield, so if it is broken, the cable might interfere with nearby radio signals like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but it should continue working.
Go with 3.
But for all solutions only cover 1/2 the connector body to ensure connector will fit through iPhone protective case and make contact with phone lightning socket.
Not a bad note 👍 thanks for the feedback.
Hi, I had to go with the tape version just to save money. I already had some tape but I did learn from you I was not wrapping it correctly so thank you for that! 🙂 Great video!
You bet, thanks for the feedback!
Clean the surface first.
Just make sure to protect the connector metal end while heating, since it has a white plastic that houses the connector pads which are easily damageable with heat. I’ve damaged a cable before trying to heat-shrink it.
Heatshrink doesn’t need crazy temperatures to shrink: well below what causes damage to the connector. The problem is that many heat guns don’t actually go low enough, especially the ones with just high/low settings! (In electronics, we use ones with fully adjustable temperatures. I normally use around 170C/325F.)
Many heat shrink tubes will satisfactorily shrink with a regular hair dryer on high - you just have to hold the item directly at the hair dryer nozzle, almost touching, to get the maximum temperature.
Apple is crap, and has been proven so. All my friends are constantly looking to charge their IPhones while my Android lasts for three days on constant use. Suckers
I have 2 kids that seem to go through chargers faster than i can keep up with! So glad you made this video, now we can repair them and i know my kids will have fun doing this too!!
Oh yeah, great little project. They will like the heat shrink and picking their own colors 👍👍
Solution worked like a charm. If you can’t get a spring, you can use an old paper clip and a needle nose pliers to wrap it and provide more support
These are pretty cool tips especially the 3rd solution. I have used electrical tape in the past and it did the job until I was able to buy a need cable. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for your demonstration! Have 3 to fix, so hope all goes well.
I really like that marine heat shrink material. It seems to work well in lots of applications. And harvesting those little springs. Never thought of that, thanks!
I love all your videos! One suggestion to get a tight tube over the plug would be to put in 1 drop of hand-wash soap into the tube. This trick helps slide even the tightest tube over the cable plug.
Definitely the 3rd one is the best. I usually use liquid plastic for dipping tool handle. Also I used it for the rod outdoor chairs’ legs to protect the floors and work amazing
I like the pro tips, thanks Hassan 👍
Fantastic tips. Saved me $$$. Already have the heat shrink, tape and springs on hand.
I have a cord that needs repaired. After watching this, I would definitely do the 3rd option. Seems like it would hold up well. Thanks Scott!
Yeah, it stiffens up nicely once the adhesive sets up 👊
Awesome video! Those heat shrink tubes are on my list!!
Dude your a total legend, absolutely brilliant
Thanks for the video, tired of constantly buying new cords - I will be the best route for my cable!
I cut a straw into a spiral and then heat shrink that. Also, tape would’ve helped fill the gap with the first kind of heat shrink.
This video was super helpful thanks!
Wowww many options.. I like the second one.. the heat makes a custom fit.. another great video
i had tried using electrical tape but it always turned into a mess because i wasn't doing it right... i did your tape method as a quick fix, but will be purchasing the heat shrink and trying that method for a longer term repair. i just subscribed to your channel because there are so many useful vids here!
big thanks for the tutorial! I went for the budget version this time around ;)
My preference is None Of The Above. For a similar price one can buy a magnetic-tipped cable that comes with an assortment of low-profile also-magnetic-tipped plugs (lightning, usb type c, and micro-usb). This lets you leave the plug in the device's port all the time to eliminate wear&tear on the port, and it takes only a few seconds and only one hand to connect or disconnect the cable to/from the plug. The ease & speed & non-wear of connecting & disconnecting facilitates keeping the battery charge level within a narrow healthy range that extends the lifespan of the battery. (I programmed my phone to speak the charge percentage about once every 10 minutes if either of the following conditions is true: the charge exceeds 80% and the charger is connected, or the charge is less than 50% and the charger isn't connected.) However, I know almost nothing about the Apple lightning cables -- my phones have always been Android with micro-USB or type C ports -- so perhaps I'm overlooking something important about iPhone (lightning) cables.
If I notice cracks, 1st fill then in with crazy glue & tissue paper, then added pen spring- great idea from this vid!
I’ve been doing this for years! 👍 a good method
Thank you so much I just fixed my cellphone charger right away after watching this video.i used the first method .thanks so much for the tips.
The best with spring.Worked like a champ. Thanks fun fix!
You bet!
I really needed this video..
Thanks for the good advice
Thank you. This was great video. Something that everyone struggles with.
Thanks and best of luck on the channel 👍
Great video. I'll try the 'best' one. Greetings from Australia.
Thanks for making this video.
Great video! Thanks :)
Great tips as always. Thanks!
You bet!
Doing this to new cables prevents them from ever going bad. Apply the fix early.
Never knew about the Marine grade shrink tubing, but now I may consider using it.
Pretty nice 👍
Thanks. That was very helpful.
By golly I love this!!!
Awesome! Practical! Thank you so much!
You bet!
Good tips .
The best solution.
Variant on the 3rd solution: Use a zip tie to or 2 to provide ribs for strain relief. Trim them to length after. The adhesive keeps them in place and you don’t have to destroy a pen.
Appreciate the feedback Maks 👍
great video thanks
Great video. I use the second method. I did not know about the spring hack. Thx. BTW use caution on using the heat gun near the cable tip. I've been careless in the past and have ruined a cable.
Use a hair dryer instead, or get a temperature controlled (not just high/low) heat gun. The ones sold for stripping paint are plain and simply too hot, way hotter than necessary for heatshrink.
Pov:You are at 1%
3rd solution, without a doubt! Great video, as always…
Thanks Ron!
I know I'm a year late but my god are you a life saver. This is the only charger I have that works for my chromebook and a new one costs so much. Thanks man
You bet!
Thank...!
Thanks bro
I've already done that but the spring idea is a good one , looks like im stocking up on old springs lol
Thank u 🙏
Mine recently charger wire for some reason has a cut mark on it and this might be the case so thx for the tip
Nicely done!
Thanks!
Nice work. I typically use solution two and find that the cable jacket will crack again where it meets the shrink tubing after a year or two and will have to be repaired again. Still better than buying a new cable.
Try to find more flexible heatshrink. That’ll flex more and avoid the hard transition where you’re seeing it fail.
Very clever using an ink pen spring and the heavier marine-grade shrink wrap. I agree, that should be the best. Whoever came up with that had their thinking cap on.
Great video with great tips 👍🏽.
Thanks!
Thank you for your video. Can you tell me what I could use instead of the blow touch? I tried with a lights but that didn’t work.
For heat shrink tubing, you can also get a higher grade version that reduces in size by a factor of three. That will give you a tight seal against both the cable and the head.
Thanks for the feedback Brad. The Marine grade I used (not high quality) was supposed to be a 3:1 and did a pretty solid job.
You can get even 6:1 heat shrink. But it’s a much more difficult product to find, and ain’t cheap! 4:1 is somewhat common, though. But you have to order from electronics suppliers, you rarely find anything beyond 2:1, sometimes 3:1, heatshrink at retail. :/
Electronics suppliers also carry different heatshrink materials for special applications. Just had to order 4:1 Teflon heatshrink to be used in a high vacuum application where ordinary plastics outgas. (Also good for cryogenic things.) Of course, one doesn’t normally encounter that in a household environment! :p
I can’t find any 3:1 or 4:1 in small diameters.
Nice video! It would be cool if you could get white marine 3:1 shrink wrap. 😎
Last one was the one I used a few months ago
Thank you for this! My iphone charger cable is leaking blue liquid on the same spot.
What can I say 👍👍👍👍Third one is the best. You need no soldering iron.
Neat. Thanks.
#3. This is helpful.
the last is the best
This is one of those examples where u left it better than it was.👍🏽🇺🇸
You can use a very small amount of hot-glue underneath the heat-shrink to add more stability and fill in to the most damaged areas.
When you apply heat to the heat-shrink the hot-glue (typically EVA plastic) is also becomes molten and fills in any gaps as it shrinks and get squeezed. Helps create a good water-seal on the edges + help the heat-shrink grip better. You can buy heat-shrink with similar pre-applied glue on the inside, but sometimes you want to make due with what you have at hand :)
Usually a good idea to start the heating in the middle to let the hot-glue flow both ways and reduce mess.
Where can I purchase the heating tool and the tape or box of material to do the repair?
Excellent video. Thank you very much.
Thank you
You bet!
#3 obviously!
Thank you for showing the amateur way of doing it at first. 🤗
Body you always have good ideas 👍🏼
Thanks 🙌
The last one is best. Bcs it also protect the cable from the finger pressure and twisting when inserting rhe cable in the phone socket
All good fixes - however I had a similar, but slightly different problem. That being, my cat loved to chew on my cable rendering it unusable. After this happened twice, I brought a roll of what I call engine loom split plastic cable covering and installed it over the entire cable length. It not only protects the cable, but provides some strain relief at the ends.
@@Kevin-mp5of AH - we couldn’t do that. Lol
...or get rid of the cat
clever...
Great video! My tape-only repair job failed because I didn't wrap it properly. And now I'm inspired to go for the best approach. Is there a heat gun you recommend? There's no link to one in your description, nor could I find one in your favorite tools.
Just use a lighter and/or candle. No need to buy a heat gun.
They also do sell 3:1 heat shrink which would've been so useful too. With adhesive would work well as well and would be very rigid from the glue. I personally have never broken a phone cable that way although I know many people who do.
Rigidity is a bad thing, as it simply creates a new stress point where the flexibility transitions. Softer heatshrink allows for a more gentle flex.
@@tookitogomaybe it would be good to allow for a looser fitting portion on the very end of the heat shrink to gently transition from rigidity to flexibility… or maybe for up by the connector, you could put thick electrical tape, tapering off gently until none at the end of the heat shrink. That along with leaving a tiny bit of wiggle room at the end might make it less likely to fail at that point. Idk maybe it’s a dumb idea but I think it might be worth trying.
@@erikjonromnes A loose fit inside a rigid tube doesn’t help anything, and can make it worse.
There’s a reason that strain relief in commercial products most commonly takes the form of a tapered flexible overmolding, such that the flexibility increases as you move away from the housing.
Trust me, I’ve built and repaired a lot of cables, and rigid heatshrink is terrible for strain relief. You need the flexibility.
The best solution is the last one 😊
The pen spring can be very sharp after cutting.
The best.
Better or best. But I have heat shrink assortment. Should buy marine anyway. Why didn’t this ever occur to me. Also helpful on using tape, though I’ve used it all my 75 years.
You may find that your “best” solution will fail sooner than the middle one: adhesive-lined heatshrink tends to be more rigid, so you’re creating a new stress point at the end of the heatshrink (just like the cable fails at the end of the original strain relief). Paradoxically, softer heatshrink makes for a more robust strain relief.
I usually create strain reliefs by applying multiple layers, to taper off the rigidity rather than have an abrupt transition, which is where failure occurs. (I’m an electronics technician, so this is not just with repairs, but when making custom cables of various kinds.)
Wish I read this comment before applying this fix. The marine heat shrink is soooo rigid, particular with the spring.
I tried to wrap electrical tape around two cables (option 1) but without succes :-/ My cables look less damaged than yours but I think they might be broken differently or somewhere else so they cannot be fixed. Some comments indicate that they made it work after having used your method to apply the tape. I have watched the video several times and I think I do it the same way as you by stretching, angling and keeping it tight 🤔
If you have a old plastic 30 pin cable you can use a 30 pin to lighting adapter to repurpose them to charge your phone
Nice idea, I have a cord I need to do that with. Thanks
You bet!
the marine heat shrink is an overkill imo, but I like your video
All three options are good. However, I feel the you'll be moving the kink further down. I would use option 3.
Plz let us know, what is the size of heat shrink tube in mm, used in this project ?
Can u use dollar store grey duct tape instead of electric tape? Or is this is electrical hazard if the open wires are exposed to the silver/grey duct tape?
The third solution was best
💯, thanks for the feedback!
Great idea, but maybe an improvement of the spring method would to apply heatshrink after the electrical tape, then put the spring on then the outer heatshrink. This would help the tape in place and the tape will make the heatshrink a more snug fit than without because it increases the diameter. Or course it'll depend on the size of the spring and cable. I've always felt it was a shame to throw away those little springs inside pens; now I've got a perfect reason to keep them!
I tried the “best” solution -preemptively, my cable wasn’t yet showing any damage - but wasn’t able to make it work. I wasn’t able to get the 1/4” marine grade shrink tubing over the housing with even one layer of the scotch brand 33+ electrical tape in place. I’m sure it’s a matter of my own lack of experience with this sort of thing. I removed the electrical tape and used just the spring and the shrink wrap. But I still wonder whether the electrical tape by itself might have provided more protection. I might try that on my spare cable.
You can't tell me that the manufacturer is unable to fix this problem. They don't because it forces you to buy new cables more often. Thx for this wonderful information!
It would be a good idea to put strain relief on new cable to make it last longer. If the inner wires are exposed, they are probably frayed on the inside of the insulation. No telling how long it will last even if you tape it up. It's a good idea to start looking into a new cable at that point.
Cables can be fixed. Don't have to throw away. Repair the end
Self fusing silicone repair tape. Shrink tubing is too stiff and the cable just breaks at the end of the heat shrink.
This!!! (Or buy flexible heatshrink, which isn’t the cheap stuff people mostly use…)