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Accessories with magnets/metal might interfere w/ iPhone 6 Plus optical image stabilization, NFC on new iPhones

Pixeet lens mount for iPhone 4

Some users have noticed issues with the iPhone 6 Plus camera and NFC on both the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, but the cause of the problem— interference from magnets and metal components in accessories— isn’t well documented.

The cause of the issue has been noticed by a small number of users online, and Apple does briefly warn users to avoid accessories that use magnets or metal components in a support document quietly updated in the months following the launch of the new iPhones. But it’s not something most users are aware of when purchasing accessories that might end up causing problems for their new iPhone.

Behind the scenes Apple has started telling at least accessory makers in its MFi program to avoid using metal and magnets due to the issue with iPhone 6 Plus optical image stabilization, according to sources familiar with Apple’s MFi licensing program.

The magnetic interference can also cause problems with NFC performance on the new iPhones, and Apple has now started warning manufacturers in its MFi program with accessories supporting the devices to avoid magnets or metal. Apple previously had a warning for accessory makers about magnets or metal to avoid interference with the iPhone’s compass, a much less used feature than the camera or NFC features affected on the new phones.

Users first noticed the problem following the iPhone 6 Plus launch in September, as demonstrated in the video below, which shows an example of the camera issue with a magnetic iPhone lens accessory. At the time, however, users were unaware of the cause (below):

[youtube=http://youtu.be/opVbCzbtJH0?t=1m21s]

The best way to avoid the issue is to avoid accessories with magnets, and some companies even warn users of the potential for interference. Accessory maker Rokform, for example, now warns iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users that removing a magnetic component in its mountable case accessory might be necessary if interference occurs when utilizing NFC features. Update: After testing, Rockform tells us it’s removed the warning for iPhones and that users shouldn’t experience interference. 

Bottom line: Cases and camera accessories that don’t take Apple’s advice in avoiding magnets and metal might cause problems for both the iPhone 6 Plus camera and NFC features on both the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Now you know. 

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Comments

  1. Avenged110 - 9 years ago

    This just in: magnets and metal interfere with advanced wireless functions. Welcome to 2001.

    • ericpruss - 9 years ago

      this just in, magnets and metal interfere with radio waves… welcome to 1901.

      • Avenged110 - 9 years ago

        Good point.

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  2. Taste_of_Apple - 9 years ago

    Not too shocking. Good to keep in mind though.

  3. Matthew Fox - 9 years ago

    someone on macrumors forums said that OIS only works when you take a still picture. i tried to explain to him that the apple patent back in jan 2014 said the magnetic ring help keeps the lens steady while shooting video. . i hope this shuts them up

    • smigit - 9 years ago

      What Apple patents and whats actually implemented in a phone released that same year can very easily be two very different things. They’ve also released patents this year for devices that will fall in a manner to prevent a display being so easily smashed…doesn’t mean it’s in anything we’ve seen. They also had revisable USB patents that haven’t materialised into a product.

  4. herb02135go - 9 years ago

    What doesn’t seem clear is whether the disruption is permanently or temporary.

    Of course, I don’t really care since I don’t use an Apple phone but it’s not very clear from this article

    • André Hedegaard - 9 years ago

      Since you’re not using an iPhone, does it matter to you?

      • André Hedegaard - 9 years ago

        And if you don’t really care, then why even ask the question?
        Troll much?

    • herb02135go - 9 years ago

      Well, Amdre, apparently you don’t know either.
      I do know confusing writing. Your writing is very simple. Good job!

  5. Randy March - 9 years ago

    I wouldn’t use any magnetised accessories to not worsen the already noisy environment the compass is operating in.

  6. WaveMedia (@WaveMedia) - 9 years ago

    Yet another “why can’t Apple just change how physics work?” issue. People are whiny buggers.

  7. very nice………

  8. André Hedegaard - 9 years ago

    Argh, I can just see the Apple haters now:
    “Magnetgate”
    When it (again) has nothing whatsoever to do with Apple, but all the douchebags around them.

  9. The issue is not just magnets but where the magnets are placed and the closeness of proximity to the camera. Magnetic forces work off the inverse square(cubed) law rule and even moving the magnet just millimeters from the lens will resume normal operation do the much lesser affect of the magnetic field. The video clearly shows oscillation taken place since it appears the magnet on the lens does not create a balanced field (as demonstrated with other magnetically mounted lenses which did work properly). probably pulling the tiny gimballed system to one side, requiring the system to compensate, and I assume their is relaxation gimballed correction which pulls it back towards the magnet. I make a case system that uses three Neodymium magnets called NEODiMOUNT, and in the test done so far. This hasn’t been experienced, probably due to magnet being 1.5″ away from the lens. Also, as for permanent damage, I feel this is unlikely due to the actions that need to permanently magnetize something. However if the gimballed system is using springs, than yes the pulling the lens in a particular direction for a long period of time could cause distortion of the resting position of the lens.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.