USB data blockers for travel

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chatterbox

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#318935 6-Mar-2025 20:03

Does anyone have any recommended USB data blockers? Not the cable. Just the little device that looks like a USB extension or something about male to female looking USB. I looked at JB hifi and they had cables on offer which are bulky and I don't want them as I have cables already. PB tech had one but the review said it does appear to damage the USB ports you're plugging into and I don't want to do that either. I only want one for my phone when I travel. I rarely use public charging ports because.... who wants to be tied down when you can use a power bank instead. And I gather the chance of juice jacking is quite slim. But if the solution is an inexpensive USB data blocker (preferably one that doesn't ruin the USB port it connects to) then I'm happy to add that to my travel kit. Amazon has some but I don't know which to select so want to know what others use or recommend. I see JSAux brand and another 4 in 1 data blocker.

I might consider buying the secure cable if I damage one of my preexisting ones.

richms

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#3350817 6-Mar-2025 23:57

Depends on your phone if they will charge at any decent speed or not. Best idea IMO is a powerbank with passthru charging on it as that will get you PD from the powerbank, and it may negotiate or just decide to pull a decent amount of power from the charger instead of messing around with 5-10 watts.

Every data block I have used - even ones that short the USB pins together has lead to a slow charging warning and barely keeping up with the screen on scrolling the socials.

Otherwise you could try one of the USB docks with a PD input. I use one on my phone in the crap car so I can plug in other things like my meshtastic node and a USB Dac for audio playback as no analog out on the new phones.

Richard rich.ms

Scott3

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#3350822 7-Mar-2025 00:40

Wild USB ports are a crapshoot anyway (beyond security issues).

I just run with a 10Ah If it is going to be a big day on the go. Will carry a wall charger & adapter for the part of the world I going to be in if I am doing long hall flights etc (largely in case one is delayed, wound normally just use the power-bank if needed).

chatterbox

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#3351114 7-Mar-2025 17:30

richms:

Depends on your phone if they will charge at any decent speed or not. Best idea IMO is a powerbank with passthru charging on it as that will get you PD from the powerbank, and it may negotiate or just decide to pull a decent amount of power from the charger instead of messing around with 5-10 watts.

Every data block I have used - even ones that short the USB pins together has lead to a slow charging warning and barely keeping up with the screen on scrolling the socials.

Otherwise you could try one of the USB docks with a PD input. I use one on my phone in the crap car so I can plug in other things like my meshtastic node and a USB Dac for audio playback as no analog out on the new phones.

I have a power bank that holds about 2 phone charges but on occasion when trying new apps or if you're out and about all day then fly then have to navigate on the other side basically you can run low. I don't want to carry the massive power bank charger it's heavy.

Suppose I could look into a smaller USB dock. But that will block data transfer and still charge right?

chatterbox

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#3351116 7-Mar-2025 17:32

Scott3:

Wild USB ports are a crapshoot anyway (beyond security issues).

I just run with a 10Ah If it is going to be a big day on the go. Will carry a wall charger & adapter for the part of the world I going to be in if I am doing long hall flights etc (largely in case one is delayed, wound normally just use the power-bank if needed).

I agree the likelihood is low hence I was after an inexpensive solution. I'm thinking about dropping the adapter in certain parts of the world. My small power bank holds about 2 phone charges and the larger one 5-6 but it's kinda heavy hence I haven't been travelling with it. So I was looking for the alternative data blocking option to use public charging eg at airports.

richms

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#3351129 7-Mar-2025 18:17

chatterbox:

I have a power bank that holds about 2 phone charges but on occasion when trying new apps or if you're out and about all day then fly then have to navigate on the other side basically you can run low. I don't want to carry the massive power bank charger it's heavy.

Suppose I could look into a smaller USB dock. But that will block data transfer and still charge right?

The PD input on the dock or hub will not pass data, that is only done on the upstream port to the device. The one I have is quite large, and will not operate without power into it. I have only tried it on a PD car adapter as the power source so not sure how well it will handle a dumb 5v only wall outlet. I know that trying to power it with a USB A to C cable on a PC did not work to get it running its ports while uplinking to the same PC with the USB-C port.

Richard rich.ms

Asteros

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#3351150 7-Mar-2025 20:07

My travel solution was to buy a very small wall charger, Gallium Nitride ones are tiny, and carry that as well as a smallish powerbank. Public USB charging points often don't work I've found.