Unable to charge my iPhone with error "Cannot use accessory"

Yesterday night I had to wash my phone.I let the phone dry overnight and in the morning while I connected the charger it kept connecting and disconnecting,it also showed 'cannot use accessory'.

iPhone 16 Pro

Posted on Jun 7, 2025 12:49 AM

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4 replies

Jun 7, 2025 9:33 AM in response to labib2943

labib2943 wrote:

Yesterday night I had to wash my phone.I let the phone dry overnight and in the morning while I connected the charger it kept connecting and disconnecting,it also showed 'cannot use accessory'.

You did WHAT???? Under NO condition should you EVER wash your phone. In doing so, you have likely destroyed it. Schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar for evaluation and options, which will likely mean buying a replacement phone.


When you purchase your replacement phone, if it ever needs to be cleaned, read this from Apple --> Cleaning your iPhone - Apple Support


Jun 7, 2025 9:26 AM in response to labib2943

labib2943 wrote:

Yesterday night I had to wash my phone.I let the phone dry overnight and in the morning while I connected the charger it kept connecting and disconnecting,it also showed 'cannot use accessory'.

WHAT??? You do not wash a phone. The behavior you describe sounds like you got water into the phone. Water and electronics do not mix. Take the phone and your credit card to the nearest Apple Store to purchase a replacement.

Jun 7, 2025 11:09 AM in response to Barney1956

Barney1956 wrote:

Even water proof phones are not made to wash lol. The waterproofing stops water getting to the motherboard but doesn't stop it getting into the charge port. Put it in rice for a few day and if that doesn't help you'll need a new charge port

There are NO waterproof phones. Not from Apple, Samsung or Google at least. Some phones, like iPhone may be water resistant, but they are not warranted against liquid damage.


And putting a phone in rice is bad advice. Not only can it NOT dry out the internals of an iPhone, but rice dust WILL get into the charging port, causing more damage. Apple specifically warns to never put ones phone in Rice.


Finally, Apple will NOT service a water damaged phone, so no, they won't replace the charging port. They will tell a user whose phone is liquid damaged to purchase a new phone.

Unable to charge my iPhone with error "Cannot use accessory"

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