Have you purchased an Anker power bank semi-recently? If so, it's a good idea to check if your model has been caught up in a million-unit recall. Citing "fire and burn hazards" as the reason behind the recall, Anker is asking for people to identify which model of power bank they have. If you're using a PowerCore 10000 with the model number A1263, you need to stop using it immediately, apply for a refund, and then dispose of it safely. And if you're unsure as to what model your Anker power bank is, don't fret; there are instructions to help you identify it.

Anker performs a recall of over a million PowerCore 10000 units

Anker states that PowerCore 10000 units that were "manufactured between January 1st, 2016, and October 30th, 2019, which were sold between June 1st, 2016, and December 31st, 2022, in the United States" have been affected by the recall. As such, if you grabbed your model around the 2020 mark, it's a good idea to double-check it to see if it's one of the affected models.

To check if your Anker PowerCore 10000 is affected, look at its ends. One of its ends should have a list of details as to what make it is. Check to see if the power bank is a PowerCore 10000, then look for the "model" specification. It should be directly under the name "PowerCore 10000." If yours reads "A1263," stop using it immediately.

Don't throw it away just yet, though. Instead, check for the serial number: it should be at the very bottom of the list of details. Assemble the following:

(1) your name and contact information, (2) proof of purchase (such as an order invoice), or, if you do not have proof of purchase, a photo of the recalled portable charger with the submission date and the word "recall" or "recalled" written on it in permanent marker, and (3) a photo of the recalled portable charger showing the model number and serial number (SN), which are printed on the bottom of the device.

Take all of these details and enter them into the Anker A1263 recall form. If accepted, Anker will then offer you either a replacement power bank or a voucher to cover the cost. Now you can dispose of the power bank; just ensure you do so properly via a method that supports lithium-ion battery disposal, not through your general waste.

As for why there was a recall, there have been a few cases of fires and burns after using the PowerBank 10000. As stated by the CPSC:

Anker has received 19 reports of fires and explosions. This includes two reports of minor burn injuries not requiring medical attention and 11 reports of property damage totaling over $60,700.

As such, it's very important to stop using your A1263 and keep it in a safe place until the recall verification comes through. In the meantime, check out these tech tools every traveler needs on their next adventure.