Apple Advises Against Placing iPhone 12 too close to Pacemaker

Apple has recently updated its support documentation to warn pacemaker and other medical device users that the new iPhone 12’s magsafe magnets and accessories could potentially interfere with pacemakers, defibrillators and other sensitive medical devices. While Apple initially stated the added magnets shouldn’t add any increased risk compared to the magnets already present in most phones, they’re taken a newly cautious approach to their documentation following a report by doctors saying the new devices could impact implants.

Apple is now advising that users with pacemakers or other sensitive medical implants keep their phone at least 6 inches away from their medical device, or a foot away when wirelessly charging the iPhone 12. While this likely isn’t going to be an issue in daily use if you keep your phone in your pants pockets, it could present a problem for users accustomed to storing their phones in shirt or coat pocket close to the chest. In the end it’s another thing for users to be mindful of. It’s yet to be seen just how big of an impact, if any the new magsafe magnets actually have on medical devices but in the mean time it’s better to be safe than sorry.