How to make broken phone charging cables a thing of the past (2024)

We’ve all been there – gingerly putting a smartphone on charge with a frayed or broken cable praying it still works.

If a cable’s going to break, nine times out of ten it will be where it meets the connector that is inserted into the smartphone – which is hardly surprising, considering this section of the cable gets twisted, bent and yanked the most.

So, what’s the solution?

Buy a new cable
If the protective covering is damaged and the wires are exposed, there is a risk of a short circuit, which will damage your handset or could cause an electrical fire. Replacing the cable completely is the best option. There are plenty of replacement cables on the market but Belkin’s Mixit DuraTek cable particularly stands out, as it comes with a five-year warranty against breaking and fraying. This is suitable for Apple and Android devices that have the USB-C connector (where you can insert the cable either way up).

MORE: IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW SMARTPHONE? CHECK OUT OUR TOP SCORERS HERE

The Belkin cable has a core of Kevlar, a strong synthetic bendable material that protects the wires inside the cable when it’s twisted and pulled. There’s also soft plastic covering where the cable meets the connector – extra protection for the part where cables most commonly fray and break. It’s available in two types of cable; those that can be used with Apple iPhones and iPads as well as a USB-C cable, which works with many new high-end smartphones including the LG G5 and the Google Pixel. However, with a price tag of £24.99 – it doesn’t come cheap.

GHI TIP: Never be tempted to buy cheap non-branded cables from eBay or other online sites. There is a chance these will be poorly manufactured and don’t meet adequate safety standards, so they could be a potential fire risk. Only purchase cables from known smartphone accessories brands, such as Belkin, PNY or Native Union. There’s a huge selection of genuine approved cables in high-street electrical stores including Currys and Maplin. If you’re buying a cable for an Apple device, look for the Made for iPhone or iPad logo, which means they cables meet Apple’s requirements.

Cable protectors
For Apple devices bought after September 2012, if there’s only slight fraying on the cable and you can see that the coloured insulation layers inside, a cable protector could be the answer. Admittedly, these are designed to prevent your cable from being damaged, but they can also be used to stop a slight fray getting worse. They’re made up of two parts: a soft silicon sheath that fits over the connector and the first 2.5cm of the cable leaving the contacts exposed, and a hard plastic casing. The casing comes in two parts and clips around the soft sheath. This offers extra protection where the cable meets the connector, so it shouldn’t fray or break. We like Lindy’s cable protectors, which come in a range of colours and are priced at £3.49 per pack. You get a cable protector for the USB end and for the Lightning end in the pack.
We’ve yet to find a cable protector we like for Android devices.

Sugru
Cable protectors that fit Micro USB or USB C cables are very rare. If this is the type of cable you want to repair and there’s only slight fraying without any damage to the internal insulation layer, Sugru is a great fix. This soft putty-like material can be moulded into any shape within 30 minutes of opening the pack. Once it has been exposed to the air for 24 hours, it dries into a flexible silicon rubber that remains in it moulded shape. Available in a range of colours, it’s really good for creating a sheath for fraying cables. Priced at £6.99 for three individual 5g packs, it’s available from the Sugru website.

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