FDA Says Risk of MagSafe Interference With Pacemakers is Low

Earlier this year, three doctors in Michigan found that iPhone 12 models can "potentially inhibit lifesaving therapy in a patient" due to the MagSafe system causing magnetic interference with implantable medical devices, like pacemakers.

magsafecasedangle
Following its own testing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week announced that while certain newer cell phones, smart watches, and other electronics with magnets may temporarily affect the normal operation of implanted medical devices, such as pacemakers and implantable defibrillators, the risk to patients is "low." The FDA added it is "not aware of any adverse events associated with this issue at this time."

However, the FDA has advised patients with implanted medical devices to consider taking the following precautions:

  • Keeping consumer electronics, such as certain cell phones and smart watches, six inches away from implanted medical devices.

  • Refraining from carrying consumer electronics in a pocket over the medical device.

  • Talking to your health care provider if you have questions regarding magnets in consumer electronics and implanted medical devices.

The FDA's precautions are in line with guidelines shared by Apple, which advises customers to keep their iPhone and MagSafe accessories more than six inches away from their medical device, or more than 12 inches apart if the iPhone is being wirelessly charged. Apple says to consult with a physician and the device manufacturer for specific guidelines.

The FDA's announcement was highlighted earlier by 9to5Mac.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
iOS 19 Roundup Feature

iOS 19 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday April 15, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is less than two months away, and there are already a handful of new features that are expected with the update. Apple should release the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.4.1 With Bug Fixes

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:11 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1 come two weeks after the launch of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There have been complaints about ...
tvOS 18 Thumb 1

Apple Releases tvOS 18.4.1

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 18.4.1, a minor update to the tvOS 18 operating system that came out last September. tvOS 18.4.1 comes two weeks after Apple released tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models. tvOS 18.4.1 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software....
iPhone Security Feature 25

Five iPhone Security Features You Should Be Using

Wednesday April 16, 2025 4:15 pm PDT by
Apple has quite a few security features that it's added to iPhones, iPads, and Macs over the years. Now more than ever, it's important to make sure you're taking advantage of the built-in security tools that are available to keep yourself and your data safe, so we've rounded up a list of the most important options. If you don't already have these enabled, you might want to consider turning...

Top Rated Comments

1258186 Avatar
51 months ago

In fact it is all about some general knowledge about yourself and your health status. One might place a magnetic iPhone in the pocket of their jacket. Knowing there is a pacemaker right there behind that pocket might be a reason, not to do that, instead of declaring that magnet as "dangerous". So, a wise decision of the FDA.

Anyone thinking about to declare hazelnuts as dangerous, because there are quite some allergic reactions?
The FDA are right to make the general public aware of any potential risks. My father had a pacemaker, he also had dementia so he wouldn’t remember any safety advice he was given.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ctdonath Avatar
51 months ago
As someone with a pacemaker, let me clarify:

"Interfere" means anything that causes anomalous/undesired behavior, however petty. Placing a magnet on a pacemaker will override normal operation, flipping to a default pacing rate (60 BPM). This is intentional, so medical personnel can force the device to a stable & reasonable state if anything is awry [insert personal anecdote]. This isn't bad, it's just little more than an annoyance. Simply removing the magnet will restore normal device operation.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
51 months ago
While I don't have a pacemaker, anything with magnets should cause caution around people with pacemakers. This is another device to add to the list.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
axantas Avatar
51 months ago
In fact it is all about some general knowledge about yourself and your health status. One might place a magnetic iPhone in the pocket of their jacket. Knowing there is a pacemaker right there behind that pocket might be a reason, not to do that, instead of declaring that magnet as "dangerous". So, a wise decision of the FDA.

Anyone thinking about to declare hazelnuts as dangerous, because there are quite some allergic reactions?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
m4mario Avatar
51 months ago
Well the FDA are a bunch of technicians. They know technical stuff. Unlike EU lawmakers who have no clue about anything.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nt5672 Avatar
51 months ago
it has been awhile since the FDA was anything but a big business mouthpiece, so I am not surprised. Wonder what the science says?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)