iPhone 8, 8 Plus, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 pro and pro max models can also use wireless chargers, which have wide, flat dishes on which you can place your iPhone back-down to charge it. You cannot charge your iPhone without a charger cable.

USB ports which aren’t connected to a computer (e. g. , those found on the back of TVs or in hubs in places like coffee shops or airports) are always powered unless they’re broken. If you have an iPhone 8 or newer, you’ll need to find a USB-C port. These are rarer than the USB 3. 0 ports found on most computers, behind TVs, and so on. If you can’t find a USB-C port, try using a portable charger.

If you’re using a USB-C port, you can plug in the charger’s USB side in any direction.

If you’re using an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or X, you can also use a wireless charging port or mat by placing your iPhone back-down on the charging surface. If you don’t have one, you can typically find these chargers in public spaces such as airports or cafes. [1] X Research source If you’re charging an iPhone 4S or older, you’ll need to make sure the rectangular icon on the base of the charging connector is on the same side as the iPhone’s screen.

You will also see a lightning bolt icon appear to the right of the battery indicator in the top-right corner of the screen.

Make sure the battery pack is iPhone-compatible before purchasing it. If the packaging doesn’t explicitly state that it will work with iPhones, it probably isn’t iPhone-compatible. Most battery packs come pre-charged, so you can typically just walk in to a store, buy the pack, and charge in minutes. [2] X Research source

Both wind and solar power are conditional, but if you live in an area with inconsistent power, they offer a viable alternative. Some wind and solar chargers will only charge your iPhone as they receive power, so check your charger’s documentation before attempting to charge your iPhone. Neither of these chargers offers a particularly fast charge, but you’ll be able to charge your iPhone’s battery to 100 percent within a few hours.

Naturally, using a hand crank to charge your iPhone will take significantly longer than wall socket charging. This is a good option if you’re hiking or otherwise removed from a reliable source of power.

Outdoor supply shops such as REI and Dick’s may stock these chargers, though your best bet is to search online. Be warned that using this method places your iPhone at a greater risk of being damaged due to overheating.

If you don’t already have the shrink tubing available, it’s probably cheaper to buy a new cable instead.

Be careful not to cut through the shielding when you do this.

Make sure you don’t accidentally twist non-corresponding colors together.

For example, you’ll use a piece of tape for the red wires, a piece for the white wires, and so on.

This isn’t a permanent fix. After repairing your charger, consider getting a new one as soon as possible.