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Most of us have more than one type of charger to replenish our devices. This is because many products, such as Apple phones and Microsoft Surface computers, are connected by cables that use unique connectors.

Soon, that may no longer be the case.

This month, The European Union declared a task By 2024, all new portable devices such as smartphones, earbuds and wireless keyboards will require a common charger. Two years from now, the same rules will apply to new laptops.

While the law will apply throughout Europe, it could affect consumers worldwide. Because it will probably be costly for technology companies to produce products with different charging technology only for European countries.

The law, which regulators say will reduce e-waste, appears to target Apple, whose iPhones, iPads and Macs use a range of charging technologies. Refusing to comment, Apple sent a letter to the European Commission in November. opposition to duty, arguing that this will hinder the introduction of new charging technologies. Terence Zakka, spokesman for the commission, said the legislation could be quickly updated to keep pace with new technology.

Long story short, no matter where you live, most devices you’ll be buying in the coming years will likely have a charging port known as this. USB-C. The transition can be a frustrating one for many iPhone customers, and perhaps most of all, who pack cables and accessories using Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector. ten years ago login. These products will be impractical to use once the policy goes into effect and people start buying new products without Lightning connections.

So it will help to prepare for this transition to avoid wastage. Here’s what you can do.

Future-proof your charging setup

Let’s talk about USB-C first. This is the oval connector that works with many modern Android phones and laptops. It is not the same as Apple’s flat rectangular Lightning connector or the bulky USB rectangular connector, an older technology called USB-A.

European law requires all devices to use USB-C by 2026. So we will need to plan accordingly to include this connector in the products we use to charge our devices, including power bricks and wires.

When purchasing a power brick Make sure you get one with an oval USB-C port, as it’s a cable that connects to your computer or phone with a cable. This will allow it to accept a USB-C power cable to plug into your future phone or computer.

Most Android phones and computers already use USB-C power cables; so keep buying them if needed. But let’s say you are using Apple phones that use a Lightning connector. If your wired Lightning charger for your iPhone breaks down, it would still make sense to buy a new cable as these wires are relatively inexpensive. High quality, third-party Lightning cables cost as little as $15. Your safest bet is to buy a Lightning cable with a USB-C connector on the other end to ensure it will plug into your next laptop or power brick.

Another option is wireless connectivity, said John Bumstead, owner of RDKL Incorporated, a company that sells refurbished Apple hardware. Most modern smartphones, including iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, are powered by a newer wireless charging technology known as magnetic induction, which uses electric current to create a magnetic field and creates voltage to power your device without plugging in a wire.

Wireless chargers come in many shapes and forms, including mats and docks. Now is a good time to think, as they don’t need to be plugged into a port on your phone. wireless chargers.

Avoid expensive Lightning accessories

Mr. Bumstead said there was a more difficult puzzle to purchase for accessories such as keyboards and mice. Some new products, like Apple’s $200 Magic Keyboard or $150 Magic Trackpad, include Lightning ports.

Mr. Bumstead said it would be wise to wait a few years for future versions of these products. This is because once USB-C authorization takes effect, it will be difficult to carry a USB-C cable for your phone and computer, and a Lightning cable for your keyboard or mouse. It would be more convenient to carry a cable that charges everything. This is the whole purpose of European law.

Still, in a few years, when everything uses the same type of connector, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to throw away your devices that use proprietary connections. One option to make these more useful is to buy an adapter, such as a dongle, that allows the Lightning connector to accept a USB-C connection, said Mr. Bumstead. That way, if you have only one device that uses a Lightning connector, you can use the dongle to keep plugging that device with a USB-C cable.

However, dongles are a poor solution because they are small and easily lost, so you’d better not buy accessories with proprietary connectors. Instead, opt for those that come with USB-C ports.

As a result

With a little foresight, this transition won’t be so bad. USB-C is a solid technology that allows devices to be filled quickly. Most of us already have most of these cables, since so many products already use a USB-C connector, said Jeff Ravencraft, president of the USB Implementers Forum, a standards organization that works with companies like Apple, HP and Microsoft to develop USB. technology.

“This train has already left the station,” said Mr. Ravencraft. He added that USB-C is designed to have a longer lifespan, meaning it should still be a useful technology in 2026, when the law is fully in place.