Apple is issuing a formal warning to individuals who rely on medical devices for their health. The company, and other electronics manufacturers, have long warned that certain pieces of consumer tech may interact or interfere with implanted medical devices like pacemakers and internal defibrillators that many people rely on to stay alive.
While it might be tempting to assume this is a lot of hand-wringing for nothing, there is plenty of evidence to the notion that electronic devices like Apple's iPhone 12 can and do impact medical devices. The American Heart Association ran a study that showed that out of 14 different cardiac devices, 11 of them had functional issues when an iPhone 12 Pro Max was placed within a couple of centimeters.
the iPhone 12 specifically. Apple suggests keeping all of the listed products at least 6 inches from any medical device, and a minimum of 12 inches away if the device is wirelessly charging.
Medical Device s Take Notice
Here is Apple's full list of products that may interfere with medical devices:
AirPods and charging cases
- AirPods and Charging Case
- AirPods and Wireless Charging Case
- AirPods Pro and Wireless Charging Case
- AirPods Max and Smart Case
Apple Watch and accessories
- Apple Watch
- Apple Watch bands with magnets
- Apple Watch magnetic charging accessories
HomePod
- HomePod
- HomePod mini
iPad and accessories
- iPad
- iPad mini
- iPad Air
- iPad Pro
- iPad Smart Covers and Smart Folios
- iPad Smart Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio
- Magic Keyboard for iPad
iPhone and MagSafe accessories
- iPhone 12 models
- MagSafe accessories
Mac and accessories
- Mac mini
- Mac Pro
- MacBook Air
- MacBook Pro
- iMac
- Apple Pro Display XDR
Beats
- Beats Flex
- Beats X
- PowerBeats Pro
- UrBeats3
One particularly interesting thing about this list is the fact that the iPhone 12 is called out as being potentially dangerous while all other iPhone models are apparently safer. The reason for this is the greater number of magnets in the iPhone 12 models which help features like MagSafe accessories including the wallet and MagSafe chargers.
As some consumer gadgets like Apple's may be powerful enough to mess with the operation of sensitive medical equipment, especially the kind of hardware that is featured in medical implants.
Apple obviously wants people to enjoy its products, and it includes a ton of features to enhance usability. Unfortunately, it looks like some of those additions may make things tougher for individuals with medical devices to enjoy them. Hopefully those who may be affected take time to read the list of products and take the warning seriously.
Source: The American Heart Association, Apple, MacRumors