What is juice jacking?
Juice jacking is the risk that a tampered public USB port or cable reads data from a phone while it charges, because a USB connection can carry data as well as power. Looking at a port does not tell you what equipment is behind it. A public port is not automatically malicious, but if you cannot identify or trust the source, choose a charging method you control instead.
No single charging choice replaces ordinary phone security. Keep your device updated using your phone maker’s instructions, and take time to understand a request for access before responding.
What changes with a power bank
With a Juiceboxx rental, your phone plugs into the power bank's built-in cable, and the bank goes with you. The rental guide explains how the device is collected and returned.
Bring your own equipment
A charged personal power bank and a cable that fits your phone give you another way to avoid connecting to an unfamiliar public USB port. Your own wall adapter and cable are useful when an appropriate power outlet is available. Charge your bank before leaving and pack the cable with it. The power bank comparison helps you compare carrying your own with renting.
Pay attention to device prompts
If a phone asks whether to trust a connected computer or device, read the prompt rather than approving it automatically. Apple explains that a trusted computer can access content on an iPhone and that choosing Don’t Trust blocks that computer’s access. [Apple's guidance](https://support.apple.com/en-us/109054) also explains how to reset previously trusted computers. Consult your phone maker’s instructions for your device and its current settings.
Find a rental before your battery runs out
Check the station finder for current Juiceboxx locations and confirm the host’s opening hours. The app starts the rental, so setting it up before your battery is critically low gives you more options. A station may not be on your route. In that case, bring your own charged bank and compatible cable rather than depending on a location you have not checked.
Understand the price and return
Juiceboxx rentals cost $2 per 30 minutes, capped at $12 per 24-hour day. A $20 card hold is released when the power bank is returned. Return it to any Juiceboxx station within 48 hours, and check the location’s access hours. The return guide covers the process. Plan a return before leaving the venue, particularly if your next stop is unfamiliar.
Prepare for the next trip
Charge your phone and any personal power bank before you go. Carry a cable that fits and identify your charging options along the route. Keep your phone with you, read connection prompts, and avoid relying on a port whose source you cannot verify. The low battery guide covers practical ways to stretch a remaining charge while you look for power.