Help- can I shield a magnet so it won't damage my phone?

[baggage]

I feel a little silly for posting this rather mundane question- but I really am at then end of my (limited) wits. I have an iPhone, and there is a rather strong magnet on my favorite purse (I believe it is a neodymium magnet, but don't know for sure). I have been researching this issue online and I am getting conflicting answers- some say don't even think about putting the phone in the bag, others say it won't cause any problems

First- is there any kind of consensus among PF posters about whether an iPhone is in danger from a neodymium magnet? (I can't tell how large the magnet is because it is sewn into the leather and hidden by a large leather-covered button)

Second- if there is a danger, is there any way I can have my cake and eat it, too? Can I shield my phone from the magnet?

I know this probably isn't as interesting a topic as the others- but any help would be greatly appreciated!

Warmest thanks:)

 

[DaleSwanson]

I doubt you have anything to worry about. Hard drives are usually what people are worried about having problems with magnets (hard drive themselves have very strong magnets in them so even with hard drives there isn't much to worry about). The iPhone doesn't have a hard drive though. I would guess that the magnet isn't very strong, especially if all it does is keep the purse closed. Credit cards are pretty sensitive to magnets so assuming you keep credit cards in there and they are fine the iPhone should be ok.

 

[baggage]

Just heard from an Apple Product Specialist- he says that while they haven't done actual testing on this particular issue, he has had experience with magnets polarizing the antenna, causing the first gen iPhones to lose reception. Dr. Bandurski, PhD also said that while the iPhone may not have a drive, a strong enough magnet could cause magnetizing of some of the circuitry inside the phone- causing disruption.

I also found out that Sena case manufactures (they make cases for Blackberry and iPhone) did specific testing with neodymium magnets and found they were destructive to phones- so they use a different kind of magnet in their cases. Hope this info helps anyone else surfing around for information!

 

[tiny-tim]

Welcome to PF!

Hi baggage! Welcome to PF!

if there is a danger, is there any way I can have my cake and eat it, too?

You can eat one magnet, but it is dangerous to eat two …

see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neodymium_magnet#Health_hazards and http://www.rsna.org/media/pressreleases/pr_target.cfm?ID=203

 

[baggage]

Hi baggage! Welcome to PF!


You can eat one magnet, but it is dangerous to eat two …

see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neodymium_magnet#Health_hazards and http://www.rsna.org/media/pressreleases/pr_target.cfm?ID=203

Hilarious!