Charging port test
A loose or dirty charging port is one of the most common faults in used phones, and sellers rarely mention it. Plug in, wiggle the plug gently, and watch: charging should never stop.
Open this page on the phone you want to test. Press Back or the close button to stop at any time.
How to do it
- Tap Start.
- Plug in a charger you trust.
- Wiggle the plug gently up, down and sideways for a few seconds.
What the result means
- Charging the whole time: the port and cable hold well.
- Charging cuts in and out: a loose or dirty port, or a bad cable. Try another cable before you blame the port.
- Never shows charging: a dead port, cable or charger. Try another charger.
What a browser cannot see: whether the phone is really the model it claims (copies run on a different processor), how worn the battery is, whether the storage is as big as it says, and whether the system was modified. The free Knowfone app for Android checks all of that and every part above in about 7 minutes, then answers: good to buy, buy only at a lower price, or don't buy.
Questions
Why does it say this browser cannot see the charger?
Only Chrome-based browsers on Android tell web pages about charging. On an iPhone, watch the battery icon while you wiggle the plug.
Can a dirty port cause charging problems?
Yes. Pocket lint packs into the port so the plug no longer sits fully. A careful clean with a wooden toothpick often fixes it.
More phone tests
Buying a used phone? Read the 14-step checklist or look up the real specs of popular models.