Do you actually check public USB ports before plugging in?

I usually just give the port a quick look and wiggle the cable a bit before leaving my phone alone with it. Had one at a train station last year where the cable felt loose and kept dropping the charge, so I moved to another outlet. Nothing dramatic, it just didn’t hold. If it plugs in firmly and the phone starts charging right away, I’ll use it while I’m sitting there. I don’t really do anything special beyond that. Sitting near it the whole time is the main thing for me, since I’m not leaving my phone unattended anyway. If it looks beat up or the cable is hanging weird, I’ll pass and wait.

I usually just use the cable that came with my phone and plug into a wall outlet instead of the USB port if I can find one. The ports on those charging stations always feel a bit sketchy to me, but I’ve used them a few times without anything bad happening. A quick look at the port to make sure it’s not damaged is about all I do.

I plug in and then immediately shove it under a napkin or my bag so I stop staring at it. The port being sketchy doesn’t really cross my mind until the charge feels weirdly slow.

I just don’t bother with those ports anymore. Saw a guy at an airport yank his cable out and the whole port came with it, wall plate and all. If I’m desperate I’ll use a regular outlet, otherwise the phone can wait.

I usually give the port a quick wiggle with my cable still unplugged, and if it feels loose or looks chewed up I skip it. Not exactly scientific but it has saved me from a couple of sad-looking sockets. If it feels solid I just plug in and go.

I’d just plug in and keep an eye on my phone for a minute.

I had one of those ports at a library actually fry a cheap cable of mine, so I don’t just eyeball them anymore. If it’s the only option I’ll plug in but keep the phone on the table where I can watch it, not buried in a bag. A dead cable I can replace, the phone I can’t.