How to Stop a Phone From Charging When Connected to a PC

Connecting your phone to a PC via USB charges it immediately – even if you don’t need your phone charging. If you need to get some work done urgently with the bit of battery left in your PC’s battery, this scenario can be very distressing.

Your phone continuously draws current from your PC’s battery and quickly drains it when the PC is in use. Therefore, knowing how to stop a phone from charging when connected to a PC is very important. 

There are many ways you can fix this issue. A quick fix for this is slicing your USB cable open and clipping the power cord (usually in red). On the other hand, you can get a custom non-charging USB cable or cover the USB charging pin with tape.

However, there’s no software or app you can use to stop your phone from charging when connected to your PC currently.

How to Stop Phone From Charging When Connected to PC: 4 Easy Ways

When using your phone for a data connection or file transfer from your PC via USB, having the phone charge may not be necessary. Furthermore, if your PC is low on battery, it is essential to prevent it from charging your phone.

Here are four easy ways you can get this done:

1. Cutting Your USB Cable and Reconnecting the Wires – Except the Power Cord

Every USB cable contains four wires. The first is the power cord, followed by two data wires in the middle. At the end comes the ground wire. The power cord is responsible for carrying current to your phone. Therefore, this power cord is what you need to clip.

On the other hand, the data cables transfer files and internet connection via USB ports. In addition, the ground cable serves as protection for your PC and phone. The ground or earth cable connects your phone to the earth circuit and prevents it from any electrical damage – in case of a power surge.

Here’s how to do this tweak quickly:

• Firstly, slice the USB cable in half with a knife or pliers
• Next, strip or remove the plastic covering gently
• Then, locate the power cord. This wire usually has a red coating
• Clip the power cord with the pliers or knife so that a gap exists between its ends
• Reconnect other cables except for the power cord
• Finally, use some tape and wrap around any exposed wires

This way, you’ve broken the power circuit. Therefore, the USB continues transferring data and media files but not electricity. 

2. Slicing the USB Cable, Then Locating and Clipping the Power Cord

Here’s another method to stop the phone from charging when connected to a PC. This method is similar to the first option because the USB cable gets sliced open.

However, it is different from the first method because you don’t need to cut through your USB. As a result, more people prefer this method.

Here’s how you can get it done quickly:

• Make a small slit along the length of your USB cable. Do this at any point on the USB cable
• Use a probe to locate the power cord. This cord usually has a red coating
• Take a plier or knife and cut the power cord at two points, so a gap remains between its ends
• Use tape or glue to seal the USB cord

Like the first method, this procedure removes the power circuit by creating a gap. Therefore, connecting your phone via this modified USB will not charge it.

3. Covering the Power Pin With Tape

This method is similar to the first two. However, you won’t be cutting anything here. The only thing you need to do is cover the USB pin in the cable’s plug with tape. This tape breaks the power circuit and prevents current from flowing across.

Here’s how you get it done quickly:

• Firstly, take your USB cable and plug it into your PC
• Next, remove the cable and hold the plug (the part that goes into your laptop) the way it came out of the computer. That is, the right way in
• Then, place the USB plug so that it faces you and count the pins in the plug from left to right
• The pin at the right end (the last one you counted) connects the power cord to your phone
• Get some tape and use it to cover this pin entirely, so it is no longer visible
• Finally, avoid using too much tape so the plug can fit into your laptop’s USB port

Confirm that the USB no longer charges your phone when connected to your laptop. Similarly, this option also breaks the power circuit of the USB cable. The three methods you’ve seen so far are easy, do-it-yourself projects.

Also, buying a second USB cable and modifying it to become a non-charging USB cable is a great alternative. 

4. Getting a Custom USB From Online Stores

If you’re not keen on DIY projects, getting a custom pre-cut USB from an online store may be the right thing for you.

Check Amazon or eBay for special, non-charging USB cables. These special USB cables have their power cords cut by their manufacturers already. Likewise, some manufacturers purposely omit the power cord when making the cables.

Therefore, this cable transfers data or media files only, not electricity. They are a great option when avoiding the hassle of cutting and reconnecting USB cables. However, you may need to wait for some days to get your custom, non-charging cable.

Wrapping Up

Stopping your phone from charging when connected to a PC involves some easy do-it-yourself projects. You can do these minor tweaks quickly by slicing your USB cable or blocking the power pin in the USB plug with tape.

These methods cut the power circuit, so no current flows from the laptop battery to your phone. As a result, your phone will not get charged when connected to your laptop.

On the other hand, you can order custom, non-charging USB cords from online retailers if you don’t want to slice your USB cord. The manufacturers omit or cut the power cord at the factory, and therefore, they do not charge your phone when connected to your PC or laptop.