The iPhone 8 Plus is a solid device with upgraded internals over the iPhone 7 Plus — but like any phone, it’s not immune to charging issues. If your iPhone 8 Plus won’t charge at all, charges inconsistently, or shows strange behavior when plugged in (like triggering Emergency SOS), don’t worry. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you figure out what’s wrong — and how to fix it.
1. Inspect and Clean the Charging Port
Dirt, lint, or debris inside the Lightning port can block the charging connection.
- Shine a flashlight into the port and check for buildup.
- Use a can of compressed air or a toothpick (very gently!) to clean it out.
- Try charging again once it’s clear.
2. Try a Different Charging Setup
Your cable or charger may be the problem, not the phone.
- Use a different Lightning cable — preferably a certified Apple cable.
- Try another wall adapter or a different power outlet.
- Try charging from a USB port on your computer to rule out wall socket issues.
If your phone only charges with certain cables or chargers, it’s time to replace the faulty accessories.
3. Force Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes a frozen system prevents charging from being recognized.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Once it restarts, plug it in again and let it charge for at least 30 minutes.
4. Watch for Weird Charging Behavior
Some users report the phone stops charging at a certain percentage or restarts charging repeatedly. This could point to a battery calibration issue or a software bug.
Try this:
- Let your phone fully discharge until it shuts off.
- Then charge it to 100% without interruption.
- This might help recalibrate the battery and fix charging oddities.
If your phone still randomly stops charging, it’s more likely a hardware issue — possibly the battery or charging IC.
5. Still Not Charging? It Might Be Hardware
If you’ve:
- Tried multiple chargers,
- Cleaned the port,
- Restarted the phone, and
- Still can’t get it to charge…
It could be a failing battery, a damaged charging port, or something deeper on the logic board. At this point, it’s best to take your iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized repair center for a full diagnostic.