With the rise of smartphones and mobile devices, charging on the go has become an essential part of travel for many people. Studies show that 71% of smartphone users rely on their devices at least weekly when traveling [1]. Keeping your phone powered is critical to stay connected, access maps, translate languages, and enjoy entertainment. However, airports also pose unique security risks that travelers should consider when charging devices. This article examines whether it is safe to charge your phone at the airport and provides practical tips to charge securely and maintain battery health.
Airport Security Concerns
Airport security is always a top concern when traveling. With electronic devices like phones and chargers, there are specific protocols in place by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure safety. According to the TSA guidelines, portable chargers or power banks containing lithium ion batteries must be packed in carry-on bags. Uninstalled lithium ion batteries, including external battery packs and charging cases, also must be carried on and not checked.
The reason lithium batteries need to be in carry-on luggage is due to the potential fire hazard if damaged. Carry-on bags are safely stored in the cabin where any issues can be quickly addressed. The TSA states that if your lithium ion battery is over 100 watt hours, you may need to get approval from the airline to carry it on board. In general, anything larger than a standard portable charger may not be allowed. These regulations are in place for safety and security.
In summary, it’s recommended to keep your phone, chargers, batteries and power banks with you in your carry-on bag when going through airport security. This allows TSA staff to inspect your devices if needed and ensures you have access to chargers once on the plane. Following TSA guidance helps keep airports secure.
Power Source Safety
Airport USB charging stations provide convenient access to power for charging devices, but experts advise caution. The FBI warns that public USB charging stations are not safe from hackers and could be used for “juice jacking” to install malware or steal sensitive data from phones (CBS News). Malicious components can even be installed inside the charging ports themselves.
Some safety tips include:
- Avoid using public USB charging stations entirely. Even reputable looking stations in airport lounges could pose risks (Lifewire).
- Only use AC power outlets without data connections.
- Use AC charging cables rather than connecting via USB.
- Invest in a portable power bank to charge from.
Ultimately, any public USB connection could potentially expose devices to data theft or malware injection. Experts recommend avoiding public USB charging stations altogether, only charging from AC outlets, and using a personal power bank when possible.
Cybersecurity Risks
When charging your phone using public USB ports, such as those found at airports, there is a risk of “juice jacking,” which is when charging cables or ports have been modified to install malware or steal data from connected devices (1). Hackers can load malware onto public USB charging stations in order to maliciously access electronic devices while they charge (2). The malware can lock the device, export data and passwords directly to the hackers, or even use the device to access company networks and infect other devices (3).
However, the actual risk and prevalence of juice jacking is debated. Some experts argue that warnings about public charging stations are overblown, as installing malware on charging cables is complex, targeted, and rare (4). Nonetheless, travelers should be cautious when using public USB charging stations and avoid plugging directly into unfamiliar ports whenever possible.
To minimize risks, use AC power outlets rather than USB connections if available, bring your own AC and car chargers for traveling, use a cable cover or blocker, and don’t let your device transfer any data over the connection (3). Also beware of suspicious attachments near ports, don’t leave your device unattended, and install security software on your phone.
Sources:
(1) https://www.fcc.gov/juice-jacking-tips-to-avoid-it
(2) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fbi-warns-against-juice-jacking-what-is-it/
(3) https://www.fcc.gov/juice-jacking-tips-to-avoid-it
(4) https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/05/fearmongering-over-public-charging-stations-needs-to-stop-heres-why/
Battery Health
Charging your phone frequently at the airport will not inherently damage your battery or decrease its lifespan. However, there are some factors to be mindful of:
Fully charging and discharging lithium-ion batteries can degrade battery capacity over time. It’s best to charge your phone between 20-80% for optimal battery health [1]. Completely draining or fully charging your battery at the airport is not ideal.
Using lower quality, unreliable chargers could potentially damage your phone’s battery by overcharging. Stick to using name-brand charging cables and avoid sketchy or broken chargers.
The lithium-ion batteries in phones will slowly lose capacity over time with normal use. Charging frequently at the airport will not accelerate this process unless you are fully charging/draining the battery each time.
In summary, charging at the airport will not directly harm your battery if you follow best practices – charge between 20-80%, use high quality cables and chargers, and avoid fully draining/charging each time.
Practical Tips
When charging your phone at the airport, it’s important to take precautions to maximize security and minimize risks. Here are some practical tips:
- Use your own AC and USB cables instead of public charging stations to avoid “juice jacking” cyber attacks (https://www.fcc.gov/juice-jacking-tips-to-avoid-it).
- Carry a portable power bank or external battery pack to charge your phone without needing public charging stations.
- Only use charging cords with data blockers or charge-only cables that block data transfer.
- Avoid connecting your phone to a public computer at the airport to charge.
- Adjust phone settings to require unlocking before transferring files or data.
- Keep your phone locked when charging and don’t leave it unattended.
- Consider turning off Bluetooth and WiFi when charging from a public station.
- Only use charging stations in designated airport areas with oversight.
Taking simple precautions like these can let you charge up safely and avoid potential cybersecurity risks at the airport.
Airport Charging Stations
Many airports now offer charging stations and amenities to help travelers keep their devices powered up. While charging your phone at a random airport outlet used to be the only option, airports today provide designated charging areas in lounges, lockers, and stations throughout the terminals.
Charging lockers that allow travelers to securely store and charge their devices have become popular in recent years. However, lockers are banned at U.S. airports due to security concerns over unattended baggage according to ChargeItSpot. Instead, charging stations located in open, visible areas are the norm.
For example, Denver International Airport offers USB charging ports in Concourse A located near gates, while Dallas-Fort Worth Airport has charging lockers available only behind the security checkpoint according to Energy 5. Many airport lounges, typically available to first class and business class travelers, also offer ample charging stations.
Some companies like Aircharge are rolling out wireless charging stations at airports, allowing travelers to power up their devices without cables and ports. Airports like Heathrow, JFK, Miami, and Boston Logan have begun installing these wireless charging stations near gates, lounges, and restaurants.
Alternative Charging Options
When traveling by air, carrying a portable charger or backup battery can help keep your devices powered up on the go. Most major portable power bank brands like Anker, Dell, and Amazon offer portable chargers and backup batteries designed for travel [1].
According to the TSA, you can bring a portable charger or power bank on a plane as long as it meets carry-on requirements for lithium-ion batteries [2]. This means the battery capacity must be under 100 watt hours. Typical portable chargers of 10,000 mAh or less will meet these requirements.
It’s best to keep your portable charger and devices in your carry-on bag instead of checked luggage. This helps prevent loss or damage. When going through security, follow TSA instructions for screening electronics.
Some key factors to consider when selecting a travel portable charger include milliamp hours (mAh), ports/chargers, and size/weight. Higher mAh means more charges between recharges. Multiple ports allow you to charge multiple devices at once. Compact, lightweight designs are ideal for packing.
With the right portable charger or backup battery, you can keep your devices powered up when on the go without having to rely on potentially questionable or unavailable airport charging stations.
New Technologies
Airports are rapidly adopting new wireless charging technologies to provide easier and more convenient phone charging for travelers. Companies like Aircharge have installed wireless charging stations at major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, JFK, Miami International, and Boston Logan (Source). These stations allow travelers to simply place their phone on a designated charging spot to begin receiving power instantly, without needing to plug in.
Industry experts predict that wireless charging will be the future of phone charging stations, as it eliminates cables and allows for faster charging times (Source). Major phone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung now offer built-in wireless charging capabilities. New technologies like near-field magnetic resonance allow charging from a distance, without even needing to place your device on a charging pad.
Continued innovation and infrastructure upgrades will likely make wireless charging ubiquitous at airports in the near future. This will provide travelers much more convenient, cable-free charging on the go.
Conclusion
To recap, there are a few important takeaways for travelers looking to charge their phones at the airport:
- Charging your phone at the airport is generally safe, as long as you take some basic precautions.
- Only use official airport charging stations or AC power outlets, not USB ports which may contain malware.
- Keep your phone in sight while charging to prevent theft.
- Use a surge protector to avoid spikes in electricity.
- Limit charging time to avoid overheating your battery.
- Carry an external battery pack as a backup in case you can’t access outlets.
- Be aware that you may need to temporarily power down during takeoff and landing.
By understanding the risks and following best practices, you can safely charge your phone at the airport without worry.
