How long can the Covid-19 virus last on Mac, iPhone, Watch or mouse or keyboard? [Updated]

Research is showing that the Covid-19 virus can stay active for two to three days when it lands on plastic or steel. and up to twenty-four days if deposited on cardboard. On copper it only lasted four hours.

Obviously these are ongoing investigations, so the data may change over time.

Here we gather information on whether it is better to use hand soap or alcoholic gel.

How long does the Coronavirus last on surfaces and in the air?

The Covid-19 virus can remain active if fixed in aerosols (or tiny airborne droplets) for up to three hours. But its vitality appears to be greatest when it lands on surfaces, according to a study conducted jointly by the National Institute of Health, Princeton and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Research has shown that the virus can remain active for two or three days on plastic and steel, which are the materials commonly used in electronic devices.

The investigation did not test on glass or aluminum and it is unclear whether Covid-19 has similar properties in those materials.

[Update]

I found this chart indicating the following:

• Plastic: 5 days
• Card: 4-5 days
• Crystal: 4 days
• Wood: 4 days
• Steel: 48 hours
• Surgical gloves (disposable): 8 hours
• Aluminum: 2-8 hours

It is also known that the coronavirus can survive up to 24 hours on carton, so it's best to handle Amazon boxes with disposable gloves (if you have one) or wash the gloves after use. If the box is going to be indoors for some time, it is best to wash the box with a damp cloth and soap.

Please note that this is an ongoing investigation, so the recommendations and findings may change as it progresses. The researchers also warn that what they offer are the results of experiments done in the laboratory, and therefore the behavior of the virus in the real world may be different.

Other studies conducted on coronaviruses affecting humans have observed that the virus can remain active on surfaces such as metal, plastic or glass for different periods of time.

For example, the SARS coronavirus has been active for two days on steel, four days on glass, and up to five days on metals or plastics. Interestingly, aluminum was only contagious for between two and eight hours.

Now, SARS is not identical to COVID-19 and there are big differences between the two. SARS survived for eight hours on cardboard, while the coronavirus lasts for twenty-four.

It is therefore acceptable that there are large differences in their behavior on other surfaces as well.

What materials does Apple use?

The vast majority of Apple products are made from different types of aluminum (for example, the new Mac mini is made from 100% recycled aluminum), found in the iPhone, iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and iPad.

In portable devices like iPhones and iPads, is the use of aluminum or stainless steel normally limited to the chassis, with glass taking up the vast majority? of the surface we come into contact with.

Apple keyboards and mice are easier to analyze. They usually consist of plastic and some metal components. The NIH study suggests that the virus can survive up to two to three days on these surfaces.

Many iPhone users probably have a case on the device. If it is made of plastic, as is often the case, the virus also lasts two hours or three days active on that type of surface.

If the device uses stainless steel, such as the Apple Watch or iPhone X or iPhone 11 Pro, based on laboratory tests, the virus can survive for up to two to three days on stainless steel. However, most of the surface of these devices, as we said before, is covered with glass.

When in doubt, always use the worst case scenario to treat your devices, especially if they are a mix of materials.

You'd better think that the Covid-19 virus stays active for up to three days on devices, which is what survives on plastic and metal.

Clean your Apple device

Waiting three days is a long time to use a device, especially in these days of forced confinement.

If you, or someone who has handled it, has been exposed to the Covid-19 virus or someone who has handled the device could be contaminated, it is mandatory to clean it to prevent it from spreading or retransmitted to humans who can carry it and infect third parties.

Although the ideal would be that the devices are not shared between different people, whether in the case of the iPad, remote control or laptop, it is unlikely that there is one each.

These are the tips Apple makes for cleaning its products. You need to be especially careful when cleaning screens and electronic devices. Avoid using solvents.

• Use only a soft, lint-free cloth. 
• Avoid using abrasive cloths, towels, paper or other similar cleaning products. 
• Avoid cleaning a product too much, as this could damage it. 
• Disconnect external power supplies, devices and cables.
• Keep liquids away from the product, unless it is indicated that they are necessary for a particular one.
• Keep moisture out of openings.
• Do not use abrasive sprays, bleaches or liquids.
• Do not spray cleaners directly on the item.

Can I use a disinfectant to clean my Apple product?  
You can gently rub wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol or Clorox-branded disinfectant wipes on the hard, non-porous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the screen, keyboard, and other external surfaces. Do not use bleach. Prevent moisture from entering openings and do not immerse your Apple product in any detergent. Do not use disinfectants on fabric or leather surfaces.

As always, the best thing is that every time you finish using a device, you wash your hands thoroughly.