Apple, like other manufacturers, creates a wide range of products including smartphones, computers, fitness trackers, and wearable audio equipment. Just like other hardware, the company’s products can be risky when exposed to critical medical equipment such as pacemakers and defibrillators used by patients. This is because components in these devices can cause magnetic interference that can disrupt the operation of medical equipment.
In order to protect its customers from any potential interference from its devices, the company has updated its support document to list out devices that it says customers should keep away from their medical devices. The changes were spotted by MacRumors, and contain a list of over 25 devices manufactured by the company, that could possibly affect medical devices.
“Under certain conditions, magnets and electromagnetic fields might interfere with medical devices. For example, implanted pacemakers and defibrillators might contain sensors that respond to magnets and radios when in close contact,” Apple explained in a support document.
According to Apple, users who own these devices manufactured by the company should “avoid any potential interactions with these types of medical devices(like pacemakers and defibrillators)” by keeping these products at a safe distance. This means more than 6 inches (or 15 cms) apart, or 12 inches (or 30 cms) apart if they’re charging wirelessly. For users who suspect that their Apple product is interfering with their medical device, the tech giant has advised them to stop using the Apple product and consult their physician and their medical device manufacturer.
These Apple products contain magnets and are to be kept at a safe distance away from the user’s medical device: This includes AirPods and Charging Case, AirPods and Wireless Charging Case, AirPods Pro and Wireless Charging Case, AirPods Max and Smart Case, Apple Watch, Apple Watch bands with magnets, Apple Watch magnetic charging accessories, HomePod, HomePod mini, iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad Smart Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, Magic Keyboard for iPad, iPhone 12 models, Mac mini, Mac Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Apple Pro Display XDR, Beats Flex, Beats X, PowerBeats Pro, UrBeats3.
The Cupertino company says that some other Apple products (not included in the list above) contain magnets, but they are unlikely to interfere with medical devices. It also points users in the direction of its user guides for Apple products, where safety information is provided under the Important Safety Information section. However, it is probably best to consult with your doctor as well, just to ensure that the functioning of your medical equipment isn’t hampered by your other devices.
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