iPhone 12 can interfere with pacemakers, Apple confirms
But can still be used at a safe distance
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If you have a pacemaker then you might want to think twice about buying aniPhone 12(or any other model in the iPhone 12 range), as one of the star features of the phone also makes it a risk.
We’re talking of course about MagSafe, which uses magnets and radios to let you attach accessories to the back of the phone. If you have a pacemaker then you’re probably already aware that magnets don’t mix well with it, butApplehas now confirmed that the iPhone 12’s are no exception.
In an update to asupport documentspotted byMacRumors, Apple states that you should keep your iPhone 12 andMagSafe accessories(including the MagSafe Charger and MagSafe Duo Charger) “a safe distance away” from your implanted pacemaker or defibrillator. Apple defines a safe distance as more than 6 inches / 15cm, or – if wirelessly charging – more than 12 inches / 30cm.
More magnets, more risk?
The company also notes that you should “consult with your physician and your device manufacturer for specific guidelines.”
Despite this new warning, Apple oddly also states that the iPhone 12 range is “not expected to pose a greater risk of magnetic interference to medical devices than prior iPhone models.”
So the risk may not be high, but it’s probably not worth taking, especially since – as MacRumors notes – an article in theHeart Rhythm Journalpreviously suggested that an iPhone 12 could cause an implantable cardioverter defibrillator to enter a suspended state.
None of this necessarily means that an iPhone 12 isn’t suitable for you if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, just that you should be wary of the safe distances, and probably therefore not keep it in a chest pocket. But if in doubt, follow Apple’s advice to consult your physician.
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ViaEngadget
James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.
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