Keep IPhone 12 and Accessories Away From Pacemakers
If you or someone you know has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), you may not be using an iPhone 12. According to recent research published in the Heart Rhythm Journal , iPhone 12 and its accessories can interfere with ICD, and even stop working.
The study found that several components of the iPhone 12 could “potentially interfere with rescue therapy in a patient, especially when carrying the phone in top pockets.” This warning applies to all iPhone 12 devices, including the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Max, and iPhone 12 Max Plus. MagSafe iPhone 12 accessories are also dangerous, especially MagSafe charger and MagSafe Duo charger due to their magnets and NFC radios.
According to research, the magnetic charging coils and RF-emitting components in these products are strong enough to interfere with the internal ICD mechanisms that respond to magnetic fields. The researchers observed an immediate stop of cardiac ICD operations if the iPhone “approached the ICD over the left side of the chest.” The interference “persisted throughout the test.”
This poses serious health risks, including the possibility of heart failure or cardiac arrest. To help educate users about potential risks, Apple has updated the iPhone 12 health and safety documentation with new guidelines based on the report’s suggestions. Apple now recommends that users keep their iPhone 12 and MagSafe accessories more than six inches from their chest and more than 12 inches if your phone is wirelessly charging. Never put iPhone in the breast pocket of a shirt or jacket.
While these warnings are specific to the iPhone 12 line and its magnetic accessories, they are not the only products that may affect medical devices. A similar case study shows that smartwatches and fitness trackers can interfere with the ICD if they are within 2.4 centimeters of the ICD in the patient’s chest. The interference on iPhone 12 is more severe, especially when charging wirelessly, but you should exercise caution when using any smart device near someone with an ICD.