This wikiHow teaches you how to charge your iPhone without using a charging block plugged into an electrical outlet. The easiest way to charge your iPhone without a charging block is to use a charging cable with a USB port on your computer. If needed, you can use a variety of portable chargers to charge your iPhone via the cable. Keep in mind that you must have an iPhone charging cable in order to charge your device.
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Method 1 of 3: Using a USB Port
Step 1. Make sure you have an iPhone charging cable
The iPhone charging cable, when separated from the charging block, has a USB connector on the end. You can connect this cable to any device with a USB port to charge your iPhone.
- iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X can use wireless chargers, which feature a wide, flat plate; Your iPhone is placed face down on this plate to charge the device.
- You can't charge your iPhone without a charging cable.
Step 2. Find the USB port
Most USB ports, which are rectangular ports on a computer, can be used to charge USB devices, including iPhone chargers.
- A USB port that is not connected to a computer (such as one on the back of a television or in a public place, such as a cafe or airport) is always charged, unless it is damaged.
- If you have an iPhone 8 or later, you will need to find a USB-C port. This port is rarer than the USB 3.0 ports found on most computers, behind televisions, and so on. If you can't find a USB-C port, try using a portable charger.
Step 3. Connect the iPhone cable to the USB port
The USB side of the iPhone charger can only go one way into the USB port so don't force it if you can't enter.
If you use the USB-C port, you can insert the USB side of the charger in any direction
Step 4. Attach the cable to the iPhone
Insert the free end of the iPhone charger into the Lightning charging port on the bottom of the iPhone case.
- If you're using an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or X, you can also use the wireless charging port by placing your phone face down on the charging surface. If you don't have one, you can usually find these chargers in public places like airports or cafes.
- If you have an iPhone 4S or earlier, you need to make sure the rectangular icon at the base of the charging connector is on the same side as on the iPhone screen.
Step 5. Wait until the charge icon appears
A few seconds after connecting the cable to your iPhone, you'll see a colored battery icon appear on the screen, and the phone vibrates lightly.
You will also see a small lightning icon appear to the right of the battery indicator in the upper right corner of the screen
Step 6. Try another USB port
Not all USB ports support charging. If your iPhone doesn't charge within a few seconds of connecting it to a USB port, disconnect the cable and try a different USB port.
Method 2 of 3: Using a Portable Charger
Step 1. Buy a portable power bank
Power banks are usually pre-charged using a USB cable (such as your iPhone charging cable) to charge mobile devices to 100 percent multiple times.
- Make sure the power bank is compatible with iPhone before buying. If the packaging doesn't clearly state that the product is compatible with the iPhone, chances are it is.
- Most power banks are pre-loaded so you usually just walk into the store, buy a power bank, and charge your iPhone right away.
Step 2. Use a car charger
A charger that plugs into the car's lighter hole isn't new technology so look for a car charger that has a USB port. You can plug this charger into the car's lighter port, then plug the iPhone charging cable into the USB port on the charger.
- You can also find these chargers at retail stores that have an electronic goods segment, or buy them online, for example at Tokopedia or Lazada.
- Most of these chargers have two USB ports so you can charge more than one device.
Step 3. Try a wind or solar powered charger
You can find these chargers at mobile device stores or online. Most wind and solar chargers work the same way: you set up the charger to store power (either by turning a turbine or receiving sunlight) and then plugging your iPhone into the charger once the battery is full.
- Wind and solar are conditional sources of power, but if you live in an area where power supply is inconsistent, they can be good alternatives.
- Some wind and solar chargers will only charge iPhone when it is receiving power, so check the charger documentation before attempting to charge iPhone.
- Both of these chargers don't charge as fast, but you should be able to charge your iPhone to 100 percent in a few hours.
Step 4. Purchase a crank charger
Like wind and diesel chargers, crank chargers can be purchased online or at mobile device stores. It's pretty simple to use: you plug your iPhone into the charger via the charging cable, then it starts cranking.
- Of course, these chargers take longer to charge than socket chargers.
- This option is great if you're camping or in a location far from a power source.
Step 5. Use a campfire charger
There are several chargers that you can plug into a pot or camp cauldron and turn it into energy. You can put the skillet on the campfire and connect the cable to your iPhone so that it charges while you cook.
- You may be able to find these chargers at a hardware store, but they are usually easier to find online.
- Be careful when applying this method as there is a risk of damage to the iPhone from overheating.
Method 3 of 3: Repairing a Broken Charger
Step 1. Determine if you can repair the charging cable
If the charging cable is protruding or frayed near the end of the charger so it won't charge your iPhone when it's plugged in, you can use a cable opener and a shrink tube to fix the cable.
If you don't already have a shrink tube, it will be cheaper to buy a new cable
Step 2. Remove the casing from the unraveled area
Slice along the unraveled portion of the cable using a sharp knife, then trim each end of the wedge to remove the casing portion.
Be careful not to cut the shielding part when opening the cable
Step 3. Cut the loose part of the cable
Once you've determined the part of the cable that's unraveling, cut straight through it. Thus, the cable is cut into two parts.
Step 4. Unscrew the wires until the metal is exposed
Use a cable unscrewing tool to remove the protective shielding and expose the three wires inside one end of the cut wire, then repeat with the other end. If so, use a cable opening tool to remove the rubber shielding from any exposed parts of the cable.
Step 5. Twist the wires that match each other
Connect the paired and now exposed metal parts of the charging cable by joining and twisting them, then repeat with the black wire and the white wire.
Be careful not to connect wires of different colors
Step 6. Cover all exposed wires with electrical tape
To prevent exposed metal parts of the cable from touching other cables and causing a short circuit, cover each metal connection of the cable with electrical tape.
For example, you would use a piece of tape for the red wire, one sheet for the white wire, and so on
Step 7. Install the shrink tube
Now that both ends of the cable are connected and protected, slide the shrink tube over the exposed area of the cable, then heat it so that the tube shrinks. If the tube is firmly attached to the cable, your charger is ready to go.
This method is not a permanent fix. After repairing the charger, it's best to buy a new one as soon as possible
Step 8. Done
Tips
- Apple recommends using only Apple-licensed chargers for iPhones.
- Using a black screen on your home screen can help you save iPhone battery.
- Sick of broken and unraveling cables? Attach the spring of the ballpoint pen to the tip of the charger and headphones to keep them from bending and breaking.
Warning
- Wireless chargers can cause things like credit cards to completely malfunction. If you keep the card on the back of your iPhone, be sure to remove it before placing your iPhone in the charger.
- There's no way to charge an iPhone without plugging it into an iPhone charging cable or putting it in a wireless charger (iPhone 8 and later only).
- Other commonly recommended charging methods, such as putting it in the microwave or wrapping it in aluminum foil and placing it outdoors, are very dangerous and will only damage your iPhone.
