Apple selling products which may affect medical devices


It has recently been announced that Apple has released a list of products which should be kept a ‘safe distance’ away from popular medical devices such as pacemakers and implanted defibrillators. The list currently includes the new iPhone 12 models, Apple Watch, MacBook Pro and AirPod headphones, all which contain components such as magnets that can interfere with medical devices. The distance which Apple has suggested the medical devices and the Apple products should be separated is 15cm / 6 inches, and double if they are wireless charging. 

“Under certain conditions, magnets and electromagnetic fields might interfere with medical devices,” Apple said

However, it is not just Apple who has issued safety guidelines with their latest models –  Samsung and Huawei, have issued similar guidance for some of their products.

While researchers acknowledged the small scale of the study, lead investigator Dr Michael Wu wrote in a press release that they were surprised by the strength of the magnets in the iPhone 12,.”In general, a magnet can change a pacemaker’s timing or deactivate a defibrillator’s life-saving functions, and this research indicates the urgency for everyone to be aware that electronic devices with magnets can interfere with cardiac implantable electronic devices.”

See below the full list of product which Apple has suggested to keep a ‘safe distance’ from certain 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

 


Additional products to consider...