This week, Apple published clarifications on Supporting documents To address consumer concerns that due to the presence of a MagSafe magnet system in new iPhones, the IPhone 12 And its 2020 peers are particularly unsafe to keep near an implantable defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker.

Apple’s updated warning to customers repeats earlier Formulations Keeping any iPhone within six inches of the ICD or pacemaker (or within 15 inches, while charging wirelessly) is unsafe. The warning also claims that the iPhone 12 is not specifically more dangerous than other models.

Several weeks ago, Heart Rhythm Journal was published Results A test where it was found again and again that moving iPhone 12 with MagSafe near a patient’s ICD interferes with the operation of this life saving device. After this report, tech enthusiasts visited forums, Twitter, and Reddit to spread speculation that the iPhone 12 was especially dangerous for people using pacemakers due to the introduction of MagSafe.

However, the magazine did not mention that modern smartphones actually contain magnets and emit signals that necessitate that users with ICDs or pacemakers distance them several inches from those medical devices, even before MagSafe was introduced to the iPhone line in 2020.

In other words, it’s really unsafe to keep an iPhone 12 near these medical devices – but it’s also unsafe to do so with the iPhone 11, iPhone X, or any number of competing smartphones. In its support document update, Apple claims that the iPhone 12’s MagSafe feature does not change its warning, because the warning was already in place.

This is what it is Says:

IPhone contains magnets as well as components and radios that emit electromagnetic fields. All MagSafe accessories (each sold separately) also contain magnets – and the MagSafe Charger and MagSafe Duo Charger contain radios. These magnets and electromagnetic fields may interfere with medical devices.

Although all iPhone 12 models contain more magnets than previous iPhone models, they are not expected to pose a greater risk of magnetic interference with medical devices compared to previous iPhone models.

Medical devices such as pacemakers and implanted pacemakers may contain sensors that respond to magnets and radios on close contact. To avoid any possible interactions with these devices, keep iPhone and MagSafe accessories a safe distance away from your device (more than 6 inches / 15 cm or more than 12 inches / 30 cm if charging wirelessly). But consult your doctor and the manufacturer of your device for specific instructions.

For those unfamiliar: MagSafe is a feature in the new iPhones that, among other things, allows devices to be attached magnetically to a small Qi wireless charging pad. This magnetic alignment allows for more optimal charging speeds than previous iPhone models.

MagSafe was previously introduced in Macs as well, albeit in a slightly different way. Recent reports indicate that it may happen soon Return to the Mac.

List image by Samuel Axon