Smart Ring Malfunction Strands Traveler After Swelling Incident at Airport

A tech influencer was denied boarding and sent to the hospital after a swollen smart ring got stuck on his finger mid-journey.

A flier wearing a smart ring had a problem: the ring got stuck on his finger, and he was denied boarding. Daniel Rotar, a U.K.-based tech influencer with 1.6 million subscribers on YouTube, detailed the ordeal on X (formerly Twitter).

Rotar was reportedly traveling back from Hawaii, which involved three flights and two layovers, when he noticed that the smart ring had swollen while he was wearing it. “Ahhh…this is…not good,” he posted in his first tweet. He also uploaded photos of the swollen ring (which uses a lithium-ion battery) and said he won’t be wearing a smart ring again. Rotar had the ring since January 2025 and had previously experienced some battery issues, but it was out of juice when the battery expanded. “The battery of my ring has been acting very weird for many months (stopped lasting for more than 1-1.5 days and at one point, didn’t even power on after being charged for a full day, until I charged it for 2 days),” he said.

In an update, he added that he was denied boarding and sent to the hospital because he couldn’t take it off his finger. Eventually, he got the ring removed and said that his finger had marks but was otherwise OK.

He eventually made it back home after more than 50 hours of traveling, while Samsung paid for his overnight hotel and booked him a car to get home. The tech giant also took the ring back and is investigating the incident.

Update #2

Finally got home after way over 50h of flying/travelling 😅

Samsung reached out to me:
– refunded me for my overnight hotel
– booked me a car to get me home this morning
– collected the ring from me, for further investigation

My finger is also doing well, aside from… https://t.co/40c7l6MASV pic.twitter.com/xSSDc7Dz7J

— Daniel (@ZONEofTECH) September 30, 2025

On its website, Samsung has instructions on what to do if the ring gets stuck, including the tried-and-true soap-and-water method. If all else fails, a medical professional might have to cut the ring. The flier tried the first method, and airport staff at the gate gave him hand cream, which made the battery swelling worse. At the hospital, he used ice to reduce swelling and “some sort of medical lubricant,” he answered on the thread.

Samsung, meanwhile, told media outlets that this was an “extremely rare case” and that the company is in contact with Rotar to learn about the issue.

Like many other smart rings on the market, the Samsung Galaxy smart ring tracks health statistics such as steps, sleep patterns, energy and stress levels, and heart rate. It is meant to be worn daily, and most airports allow passengers to pass through security without taking it off, just like smartwatches.

Many users on Reddit have reported battery issues with the Galaxy ring. Wearers mentioned that the battery drained quickly after charging, and in many instances, Samsung sent them a replacement. One incident that was also shared by Rotar

Related: The Real Reason You Can’t Retrieve Your Phone if It Falls Between Your Airplane Seat

Risky Business

Smart devices, including phones, laptops, and power banks, use lithium-ion batteries that can cause fires on flights. Passengers are advised not to retrieve their devices themselves if they get stuck between seats because any damage to the battery can lead to overheating.

In fact, airlines have started banning the use of power banks on flights. Beginning Oct. 1, Emirates no longer allows fliers to charge their phones and laptops using rechargeable battery packs. “Emirates new regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft. Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire,” the airline explained in the announcement.

Other airlines have also introduced similar restrictions that allow passengers to carry a power bank—if it meets specific requirements—but prohibit using them on board. Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, and China Airlines don’t allow their use onboard, while Southwest urges passengers to keep the power bank accessible (within sight) if they’re using it.

It is also not allowed to check in a power bank or battery-powered devices. Flight crews can act quickly in case of a fire event onboard, but the risks are greater when the devices are in checked luggage.

Related: Southwest Further Restricts Carrying on Lithium-Ion Batteries, Which Could Greatly Impact Wheelchair Users