Apple: If You Have a Medical Device, Keep It a 'Safe Distance' Away from the iPhone 12 and MagSafe Accessories - Gizmodo

Although Apple has long acknowledged that its iPhone 12 lineup and MagSafe accessories may interfere with medical devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, it released additional guidance for people who use medical devices on Saturday.

The message: Keep your iPhone 12 and MagSafe accessories a safe distance away from your medical device.

“To avoid any potential interactions with these devices, keep your iPhone and MagSafe accessories a safe distance away from your device (more than 6 inches / 15 cm apart or more than 12 inches / 30 cm apart if wirelessly charging).

Users should ask whether they need to maintain a safe distance of separation between their medical devices and their iPhone or MagSafe accessories.

The researchers stated that once the iPhone 12—which has a circular array of magnets built into its back in order to allow it to snap to a MagSafe charger or other accessory—was placed near the medical device close to the patient’s heart, the device suspended its operations.

Apple made a point of mentioning in its article that although its iPhone 12 lineup has more magnets than past iPhone lineups, it’s “not expected” to pose a greater risk of magnetic interference to medical devices than prior models.

“If you suspect iPhone or any MagSafe accessories are interfering with your medical device, stop using your iPhone or MagSafe accessories,” the company wrote.