Emergency Tech Kit

I’m the unofficial tech person for my family. I’m the one people call whenever there’s a problem with their phones and computers. So, inspired by a time when I didn’t have the right cable, I decided to make an emergency tech support kit.

This isn’t meant to be a full collection of all possible cables, dongles, and every possible device. Just for power emergencies and clean ups. These are for the most common situations that you can find yourself in that can be handled with a quick fix, not more complicated situations like replacing a broken phone screen.

Chargers

First come the chargers, because there’s always someone with a low battery. There is a charger meant for wall outlets, one for cars, and of course a portable battery.

Cables

Then there are cables, good for charging or transferring things from one device to another. Yes, wireless chargers do exist, but I’ve found that cables are still faster and more reliable. And some things can’t charge wirelessly.

I started my collection with cables for older devices, since these are harder to find. First is a mini USB cable, which has a larger plug than modern cables. The mini USB was used for many devices manufactured between 2000 and 2007. Some examples you might still see today are PlayStation 3 controllers, the first generation of Kindle readers, and the Motorola Razr.

The 30-pin cable (or dock connector) is for older Apple devices. Specifically, this is what you will need for the first three generations of iPads, the iPod classic, the iPod mini, and almost all iPod nanos and iPod touches. You might find an older non-Apple MP3 player that also uses it. The connector in this photo was made for a Creative Zen portable media player.

The micro USB (also known as micro USB-B) used to be the cable for Android smartphones. The raised notches on the top are necessary to keep the cable plugged in. Nowadays, you may still see it used with digital cameras and a surprising number of other devices. This is the cable needed to charge PlayStation 4 controllers, along with Kindle 2 through 10, Kindle Paperwhite 1 through 4, Kindle Touch, and Kindle Oasis 1 through 3.

Lightning cables were the only cable type used by Apple devices for years. This cable is still common because many of the devices that use it are still around. Lightning is used in iPhones (up to and including the iPhone 14), the fourth through ninth generations of iPads, iPad mini 2 through 5, the first and second generations of iPad Pros, and the last generations of the iPod touch and iPod nano.

It never hurts to have a few HDMI cables, because you’ll find HDMI ports on computers and televisions. I have one cable with a USB-A plug and and another cable with a USB-C plug.

I also added this odd cable I found around the house. One end is for HDMI, the other end is split between USB-A and micro USB. I’m not sure when I got it, but it could come in handy.

The last cables I have in my kit are USB-C cables. This is the type of cable that the newest phones and tablets use, both Apple and Android. You’ll also need these to charge wireless ear buds and AirPods. I have one that has a USB-A plug and one that has USB-C plugs on both ends, to make sure that there will be options.

Dongles

Then there are dongles, the little connectors good for adapting one type of plug into another.

Sometimes, you need to use wired ear buds instead of Bluetooth. Maybe your ear buds need to be charged, or maybe you prefer the sound quality of wired headphones. But since modern phones don’t have a headphone jack, you’ll need a dongle that turns a USB-C port into a 3.55 mm audio jack.

I also have three different Lightning to USB-C dongles. Note: “male” means a plug while “female” means a port that you plug into.

Cleaning supplies

I also have cleaning supplies, because you never know when something will get spilled on. I have special Windex cleaning wipes meant for electronic devices. These don’t have ammonia or bleach, which would damage touchscreens. I also have a microfiber cloth that can clean screens and spills. It’s much better than paper napkins or paper towels because it won’t leave any lint behind.

But what happens if you drop your phone in water? Your first instinct might be to dump it in rice, but that’s not the best idea. Rice can break into pieces when it gets wet, ending up inside ports and speakers. The starch in rice can also leave behind a messy residue. A much better option is silica gel, the stuff inside packets tucked into shoes and purses. Silica gel is a desiccant, a substance that is used remove moisture and prevent mold. I bought a large bag of silica gel from a craft store.

The last item in my kit is actually intended for organization instead of cleaning. Velcro strips are the best way to keep your cables in order. They are strong enough to keep cables tied up, but flexible enough not to damage the wires inside them.