Yes, you must remove most large electronics from your bag at TSA checkpoints

TSA officers require you to remove laptops, tablets, and large electronic devices from your carry-on bag and place them in a separate bin for X-ray screening. This rule applies at every standard security checkpoint in the United States. The reason is straightforward: large electronics can obscure what's underneath them on the X-ray image, so screeners need to see them clearly on their own.

Small electronics—phones, earbuds, smartwatches, portable chargers—stay in your bag. The dividing line is roughly the size of a standard notebook. If it's bigger than a paperback book, remove it. If you're unsure about a specific device, ask the TSA officer at the checkpoint before you reach the scanner.

Key Takeaways

  • Laptops, tablets, e-readers, and portable DVD players must come out of your bag and go in a separate bin.
  • Phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and small portable chargers can stay in your bag or pocket.
  • Larger power banks and external hard drives should be removed if they're the size of a paperback book or bigger.
  • TSA PreCheck and Clear members still remove electronics, though PreCheck members may leave laptops in their bags at some airports.

Which electronics must be removed

Laptops are the most common item. Remove your laptop from its case and place it flat in a bin. If your laptop bag has a TSA-friendly design with a fold-flat compartment, you may be able to leave the laptop inside the bag—but most standard laptop bags require removal. Check the bag's label or ask the officer if you're not sure.

Tablets and e-readers (Kindle, Kobo, iPad) come out too. Large portable chargers and power banks roughly the size of a phone or larger should be removed. External hard drives and portable SSDs go in a separate bin. Portable DVD players, handheld gaming devices larger than a phone, and digital cameras all require removal.

The rule exists because TSA screeners need a clear view of each item. When a large electronic device sits on top of other objects in your bag, the X-ray shows a dense shadow that can hide what's underneath. Removing it lets the officer see both the device itself and everything else in your bag without obstruction.

Electronics that stay in your bag

Your phone stays in your pocket or bag. Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and wireless earbuds don't need to be removed. Small portable chargers (the size of a phone or smaller) can stay in your bag. Headphones, whether wired or wireless, remain in your bag.

Calculators, digital watches, car key fobs, and other small battery-powered devices don't require removal. The general rule: if it fits in your hand easily and isn't a laptop or tablet, it almost certainly stays in your bag. When in doubt, ask the officer before you reach the scanner—they would rather answer a question than have you hold up the line by removing something that didn't need to come out.

How to pack electronics for faster screening

Pack your laptop where you can reach it quickly, not at the bottom of your carry-on. Many travelers place it in an outside pocket or near the top of their bag. This saves time when you reach the checkpoint and need to pull it out in seconds.

Remove your laptop from its case before you reach the bin station. If your case has a removable laptop sleeve, take the laptop out while you're still in line. This keeps the checkpoint moving and prevents you from fumbling at the scanner.

Place your laptop flat in the bin, screen up or down—either orientation works. Don't stack other items on top of it. If you have a tablet or other large electronics, give each one its own bin or place them side by side in one large bin so the X-ray image is clear.

TSA PreCheck and electronics

TSA PreCheck members still remove electronics at most airports, with one exception: at airports where PreCheck lanes have advanced screening equipment, you may leave your laptop in your bag. This varies by airport. When you enter a PreCheck lane, look for signage that says "Laptops may remain in bags" or ask the officer. If there's no sign, remove your laptop to be safe.

Tablets and other large electronics still come out in PreCheck lanes unless the signage specifically says otherwise. PreCheck speeds up screening in other ways—you keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and you leave liquids in your bag—but electronics removal is not one of those perks at most locations.

What happens if you forget to remove electronics

If you reach the X-ray scanner with a laptop still in your bag, the officer will stop you and ask you to remove it. You'll step aside, take the device out, and send it through again. This adds a few minutes to your screening time but isn't a violation or penalty.

Repeated failure to follow screening procedures can result in additional screening or a citation, but forgetting once is routine. TSA officers expect some travelers to be unfamiliar with the rules, especially first-time flyers. If you're unsure about any item, ask before you place your bag on the conveyor belt.

International travel and electronics

Most countries that have TSA-equivalent security agencies follow the same rule: large electronics must be removed and screened separately. If you're flying internationally from a U.S. airport, follow the standard TSA rule. If you're departing from a foreign airport, the rules may differ slightly, but removing laptops and tablets is standard practice almost everywhere.

Some countries require electronics to be powered on to prove they work, though this is less common now. Charge your devices before you travel so you can turn them on if asked. This is a security measure to confirm the device is genuine and functional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to remove my phone at TSA?

No. Your phone stays in your pocket or bag. TSA only requires removal of larger devices like laptops, tablets, and e-readers. You may be asked to remove your phone for a pat-down if you set off the metal detector, but that's a separate screening step.

Can I leave my laptop in its case?

Most cases must be removed. Some TSA-friendly laptop bags have a fold-flat design that lets you leave the laptop inside during screening—check your bag's label. Standard laptop cases and sleeves require removal. When in doubt, take it out.

What if my tablet is small?

Even small tablets should be removed. The rule is based on device type, not size. If it's a tablet or e-reader, it goes in a separate bin. The only exception is TSA PreCheck at certain airports with advanced equipment, where laptops may stay in bags—but this rarely applies to tablets.

Do I need to turn off my electronics before screening?

No. You don't need to power down your devices. TSA may ask you to power on a device if they need to inspect it more closely, but this is uncommon. Your electronics can go through the X-ray while on or off.

What about my smartwatch or fitness tracker?

Smartwatches and fitness trackers stay on your wrist or in your bag. They're small enough that they don't obscure other items on the X-ray, so TSA doesn't require removal. The same applies to wireless earbuds and headphones.