We all know the golden rules of travel prep: pack light, check in early, and (perhaps most critically) don’t forget your phone. It’s your ID, boarding pass, GPS, and playlist. But for a small group of travelers still clinging to an infamous smartphone model, there’s bad news: the TSA says your device is officially persona non grata aboard any U.S. aircraft.
The Samsung Galaxy Note7, once a flagship Android phone in 2016, has been reaffirmed as banned from all flights to, from, and within the United States. That means you cannot carry it on your person, stow it in your carry-on, or pack it in checked baggage. The reason? Its lithium-ion battery defect presents an extreme fire risk.
It’s a safety hazard the government isn’t willing to gamble on at 35,000 feet.
The warning isn’t new, but it’s making waves again in 2025 thanks to a viral TikTok video that caught a sign at a U.S. airport explicitly forbidding the phone. The clip reignited awareness around the ban, leaving some surprised to learn the restriction is still in place and actively enforced.
Why the Samsung Galaxy Note7 Remains Grounded by TSA
So, the TSA put out a statement saying that not letting Samsung Galaxy Note7s on planes started because order from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the FAA, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. This order has been since the end of 2016, when these phones started causing trouble by catching fire because their batteries were getting too hot.
Here’s what the TSA officially says about it:
“The U.S. Department of Transportation, with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, have issued an emergency order to ban all Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone devices from air transportation in the United States.
Individuals who own or possess a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device may not transport the device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States.”
FAA Statement on Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Devices https://t.co/NADpT5Jma4 pic.twitter.com/e9uJvNmUUq
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) September 8, 2016
Even though Samsung stopped making the Note7 almost a decade ago and issued global recalls because of the fire risk, these phones still pop up occasionally. They’re especially found in resale places, or with travelers from other countries who might not know about the rules in the U.S. That’s why sometimes a popular video on TikTok can be more helpful than a boring sign in getting important messages across about flying safely.
And the Note7 isn’t alone in its risk category. The TSA continues to remind passengers that portable chargers, power banks, and spare lithium-ion batteries are similarly prohibited from checked baggage for the same reason: fire hazards.
Check the “What Can I Bring?” List Before You Pack
The resurgence of interest in the Note7 ban reminds us of how important it is to double-check your carry-on contents against the TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” list before heading to the airport. The list is long, detailed, and updated regularly, from forgotten box cutters to misplaced liquids.
Recent alerts include:
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Lithium batteries (loose or backup) must go in carry-on, not checked.
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Fireworks are prohibited everywhere.
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Box cutters and utility knives are only allowed in checked baggage.
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Large electronics (e.g., laptops) must be easily accessible for screening.
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Pet carriers must be screened separately; bring a leash for your furry friend.
Want to know Mr. Biggie’s secret to breezing through security every trip? 🐶🧳 It’s not because he uses his puppy-dog eyes… he uses TSA’s searchable “What Can I Bring?” list to check what he can and can’t pack.
More summer travel tips 👉 https://t.co/vCiJ2rXGjP pic.twitter.com/K0Nnefxbsg
— Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (@AustinAirport) June 11, 2024
In contrast, Apple’s push toward digital identification, including passport and state ID storage within Apple Wallet, has recently earned the TSA’s nod for domestic travel use. It’s a step forward even as it cracks down on outdated tech.
For real-time help, the TSA recommends contacting @AskTSA on X (formerly Twitter) or texting 275-872 with your queries.
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