Synonyms for "Charge" as it relates to charging devices?

Solution 1:

I recommend still using the word charge, but you can add some variety by changing the verb tense and possibly using the noun form. Also mixing up with recharge as suggested in a comment. A few possibilities:

  • To recharge your device, connect the USB cord
  • Ensure it has been charged for at least 5 minutes
  • Charging the device regularly will help
  • If the battery fails to hold a charge, contact us

This feels like enough variety to me for an instruction manual or technical document.

Solution 2:

It's not perfect but in some cases you could use top up. This really assumes charging from an only partially drained state, but is used more broadly. For phones it may be a little confusing as "top up" can also apply to credit; any confusion can be minimised with a little context; some other batteries need topping up with water, but again context helps.

Some examples of real-world use:

  • Forbes.
  • GiffGaff (UK mobile network).
  • Guardian.
  • Nokia Portable Wireless Charging Plate User Guide (via docplayer). (Manuals from LG and OnePlus also use the term)

After a comment I wondered if this was specific to British English, or at least uncommon in AMerican English. Google initially seemed to confirm that - but Google knows where I am and gives me results biased towards British sites. DuckDuckGo on the other hand gave me user manuals aimed at users both sides of the Atlantic.