Do magnets damage electronic devices?

(Dan Tri) - The main concern about magnets and electronic devices used to be the risk of moving components or erasing data when placed nearby, but this is no longer true.

Wireless charging uses electromagnetic induction to transfer power between the charging pad and the device. This technology reduces wear and tear on the device's charging port and eliminates cable clutter (photo: Lee Charlie/Shutterstock).

Concerns

Warnings about not placing magnets near televisions or computers are familiar memories to many who grew up with early electronic devices.

This myth persists to this day, that magnets can damage devices. However, in reality, much of this concern stems from outdated technology, and magnets may only cause minor damage to certain devices.

The main concern revolves around the possibility that magnets could dislodge components or erase important data. This was true when devices like TVs and hard drives used magnetized components.

But these components are rarely used today. Modern technology is much better at withstanding weak magnetic fields, so this concern is no longer significant.

However, a very strong magnet can still damage modern electronics, but the chances of an average person owning or encountering such a magnet are very low.

Magnets were once a major threat to CRT TVs and hard drives.

Floppy disk, a popular magnetic data storage medium from the 1970s to the late 1990s (Photo: Pressmaster/Shutterstock).

In the era of cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs and traditional hard drives, magnets were a real concern.

These devices use magnetized components to store data and display images. CRT TVs use cathode rays to shine electrons onto a phosphor-coated glass surface, creating images through electromagnetic deflection using internal magnets.

Similarly, hard drives also use magnets to write and overwrite data onto metal platters.

In theory, placing a magnet near these devices could distort the display or corrupt data due to magnetic interference, but it would take an exceptionally strong magnet, placed directly at the most vulnerable point, to cause permanent damage.

A typical refrigerator magnet will not significantly affect a modern TV or computer because the low-level magnetic field is not strong enough to alter the established electromagnetic current.

Are magnets still dangerous to modern electronic devices?

A sign warns of the risk of strong magnetic fields, which can interfere with electronic equipment or pose a danger to people with implanted medical devices (Photo: Sundry Photography/Shutterstock).

Today, modern TVs and computers, along with electronic devices such as telephones, use fewer strongly magnetic components.

Flat-panel TVs use liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and LEDs, without magnets or cathode rays. Latest computers have switched to more reliable solid-state drives (SSDs), which do not use magnetic disks to record data.

Without these magnetic components, the risk of a magnet accidentally damaging your electronics is even lower.

It's important to note, however, that some magnets can still pose a danger to modern electronics. Specifically, scientific- grade neodymium magnets with a pull force of at least 450 pounds (about 200 kg).

This type of magnet can damage any electronic device, including flash chips in solid-state drives.

But don’t worry, the chances of neodymium magnets getting into your electronics are extremely low. They’re typically only found in professional equipment like MRI machines, magnetic cranes, or the giant superconducting magnets in fusion reactors.

Unless you happen to walk into a hospital MRI room, you probably don't need to worry about this.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/cong-nghe/nam-cham-co-lam-hong-thiet-bi-dien-tu-20251207155728537.htm