iPhone dock connector lint accumulation prevents charging...

crwdns2853023:0crwdne2853023:0

After many years the charging connector would not charge the phone unless it was held in by a rubber band. Later I needed a bungee loop to apply enough force. I thought that the port was simply wearing out, but discovered that the docking port had slowly accumulated a layer of matted lint -- each time I charged the phone the connector was compressing another tiny bit of new lint until it accumulated to about 1 millimeter. As this reached a critical thickness the charging connector needed to be pressed into the dock connecter more and more forcefully to compress the matted lint layer and make the connection.

crwdns2853024:0crwdne2853024:0

First turn off the phone. Use a small paper clip, thin wire, or a tiny jeweler's screwdriver to work out the stubborn, compacted lint. Use 'canned air' to blow out the docking port periodically as you do this.

crwdns2853025:0crwdne2853025:0

This kind of problem is inescapable if you carry your phone in your pants pocket for many years.