PSA: Belkin Issues Safety Recall for BoostCharge Pro Apple Watch Chargers
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It’s rare that we see a major Apple accessory maker issue a product recall. However, Belkin has just issued an important safety recall notice for its BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch due to a risk of it catching fire:
A manufacturing defect can in some circumstances cause the portable wireless battery charger’s lithium cell component to overheat, which could pose a fire hazard to consumers.
While no injuries have been reported, Belkin is being proactive to ensure that none occur. The recall notice advised customers to immediately disconnect and stop using the power bank and place it in a “safe, dry location away from anything flammable.”
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro is an Apple Watch charger with a built-in 10,000 mAh lithium-ion battery, and it’s this latter part that’s the crux of the problem.
Customers can identify if they’re using an affected product by looking for the model number on the bottom, which should be BPD005.
The serial number can also be found below the model number, which will be required to fill out the product recall form.
Sadly, Belkin isn’t offering replacements for the BoostCharge Pro. Instead, it will provide affected customers with a full refund once they’ve provided the necessary information, which includes the serial number and a copy of the purchase receipt and photos of the product.
It’s unclear whether Belkin wants the defective BoostCharge Pro units returned, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. Instead, the company says it will email customers “instructions for safely disposing of your BPD005 power bank,” although it advises customers to hold on to the affected devices (in a safe location away from anything flammable) until their refund request has been approved.
Under no circumstances should the BoostCharge Pro be discarded in the trash or a recycling bin. That’s true of any product containing lithium-ion batteries, as these are considered hazardous e-waste and should be taken to special facilities that are designed to handle them, but it’s even more serious with a faulty device that has a higher incendiary risk.
It’s unclear if Belkin plans to fix the problem in a replacement product, but it clearly doesn’t have a fix ready now, as refunds are the only avenue. The company has naturally pulled the BoostCharge Pro off the market, which is unfortunate as it’s a fairly unique accessory that’s handy for Apple Watch owners who travel a lot. The 10,000 mAh power bank can fast-charge an iPhone at up to 20W while simultaneously charging even an Apple Watch Series 10 at the fastest possible speeds — all in one pocket-sized device. It could also charge AirPods Pro and, of course, any other USB-powered device.
Let’s hope it’s not the end for this handy device, but it doesn’t look good. Belkin issued a similar recall in 2021 for the 10,000 mAh power bank that formed part of its special edition Boost Charge Portable Wireless Charger + Stand sold exclusively through Apple and Belkin. This was a similar case where the company issued a full refund and had customers safely dispose of the power bank. No follow-up product appeared, but that may have also been due to its limited edition status; it was only sold for 3–4 months, so it had already been discontinued before the recall was issued in early 2021.
