Hotel keycard DEMAGNETIZED by AirPods/iPhone - what to do

If you're a frequent traveler who relies on hotel keycards, you might want to be cautious about how you store them in proximity to your AirPods or iPhone. Surprisingly, it has been discovered that the magnetic field generated by AirPods cases, especially when used with MagSafe charging, can demagnetize hotel keycards, rendering them useless. This issue has raised concerns among users, particularly those with older or cheaper magnetic stripe hotel cards.

A video transcript circulating on social media demonstrates the problem. The video shows an individual placing their hotel keycard next to the AirPods case, only to find that the card no longer works afterward. It's worth noting that this issue might also extend to iPhones, particularly those with MagSafe capability, such as the iPhone 12 and later models, as well as AirPod cases that feature magnets.

To avoid any inconvenience during your hotel stay, it's advisable to keep your hotel keycard in a separate pocket or away from your AirPods and iPhone. According to various Reddit threads discussing this matter, many users have encountered the demagnetization problem, making this a known issue. Although the exact mechanism behind the demagnetization is yet to be fully understood, it's clear that the magnetic fields generated by these devices are interfering with the hotel keycards' magnetic stripes.

It's important to note that this specific issue doesn't seem to affect credit or debit cards. However, it doesn't hurt to exercise caution with all magnetic stripe cards when in close proximity to your AirPods or iPhone.

If you find yourself in a frustrating situation where your hotel keycard stops working unexpectedly, be aware that this demagnetization issue might be the culprit. Instead of becoming furious with hotel staff or attempting to get a replacement, consider checking if your AirPods case or iPhone was placed too close to the keycard. By adjusting the storage of these items, you can potentially avoid this inconvenience altogether.

As technology continues to evolve, it's important to keep up with potential issues that might arise. In this case, the magnetic fields generated by AirPods cases and certain iPhones can inadvertently interfere with hotel keycards. While it might seem like a small inconvenience, being aware of this issue can save you time and frustration during your travels. So, if you're a user of AirPods or own a modern iPhone, take this precaution into account when handling your hotel keycard.