iPhone users have been issued an urgent safety warning after experts discovered a surge in dangerous counterfeit charging adapters being sold online and in high street stores.
The Electrical Safety First (ESF) organisation has found that criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive customers, putting them at risk of electric shocks, house fires, and even explosions.
Counterfeit Chargers Flooding the Market
The ESF, in collaboration with Apple, conducted tests on 116 fake chargers that were designed to look like Apple’s official 20W USB-C power adapter.
Alarmingly, 92% of the adapters tested failed critical safety requirements, meaning users are at risk of serious electric shocks when plugging in their devices.
Many counterfeits contain hidden metal weights to mimic the weight of genuine Apple adapters, but these modifications compromise safety by weakening internal barriers designed to prevent electrocution.
“Criminals are working harder than ever to deceive consumers, with no regard for their safety in the process,” said Luke Osborne, deputy technical director at Electrical Safety First.
Real-Life Tragedies Linked to Fake Chargers
Counterfeit chargers have already caused serious injuries and property damage:
- A Massachusetts teenager was set on fire after her iPhone exploded while using a portable charger she bought from Amazon.
- A Worcestershire home was destroyed in 2023 due to a cheap charger purchased online.
- In 2014, an £8 charger bought at a shop in Huddersfield exploded, with shrapnel hitting a sleeping five-week-old baby.
- A Chinese air stewardess was killed by electrocution in 2013 when answering a call on her charging iPhone 5—later blamed on a fake charger.
How to Spot a Fake Apple Charger
Electrical Safety First and Apple recommend checking the following signs before buying an iPhone charger:
✅ Plug Pins: Genuine Apple chargers have matte, high-quality plug pins, while counterfeits tend to be glossy with surface imperfections.
✅ Text & Markings: Authentic Apple products have well-defined wording with clean logos. Counterfeits often contain spelling mistakes like “Appie” instead of “Apple”.
✅ Seller Information: Be wary of online listings that overstate the authenticity of a product. Legitimate retailers don’t need to emphasise that their product is genuine.
✅ Weight Test: Fake chargers often contain hidden metal weights to mimic the feel of a real charger. If the weight seems unusual, it may be a counterfeit.
What Should Consumers Do?
Authorities are urging people to only buy Apple chargers from official Apple Stores, Apple Authorized Resellers, or reputable high street retailers like Currys or John Lewis.
“If you’re looking to bag an electronic bargain, it has never been more important to stick to a reputable retailer or manufacturer to shield yourself from fakes that could risk your safety,” Osborne added.
Consumers who suspect they have purchased a counterfeit charger are urged to stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards.
Final Warning
Fake charging adapters are not just a rip-off—they pose a real danger to life. Whether it’s an electric shock, a house fire, or an exploding phone, experts warn that the risks simply aren’t worth it.
Stay safe, stay informed, and always buy from trusted sources.
