iPhone inductive charging
Inductive charging on the iPhone is convenient and practical. Find out here how to charge your iPhone wirelessly and what’s important to keep in mind.
7 min read | Nov 17, 2021
At a glance: Inductive charging for iPhone
- To make use of inductive charging, you need an iPhone 8 or newer
- With MagSafe: The iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 can be charged more quickly wirelessly
- MagSafe car holders hold and charge the iPhone magnetically
- Wireless charging of the iPhone is not harmful
- Use a Qi-certified charging station to charge the iPhone without a cable
- Special phone cases are suitable for charging the iPhone wirelessly
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Which iPhones can be charged wirelessly?
The iPhone 8 and newer can be charged wirelessly. All iPhones since the iPhone 8 support the Qi charging standard and can be charged inductively with at least 7.5 watts. The iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are also equipped with Apple’s MagSafe technology. The iPhones thus stick magnetically to the compatible induction charger and can be charged wirelessly with up to 15 watts.
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Is inductive charging of the iPhone harmful?
No, inductive charging is not harmful on the iPhone. Wireless charging technology has already been used for some time and there have been no known physical effects on human health to date.
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Can you wirelessly charge an iPhone through a phone case?
Yes, you can wirelessly charge an iPhone through a case. However, it needs to be thin enough for the magnetic field of the induction charger to reach the coil of the iPhone. Special covers are designed for this and provide the ideal wireless charging speed.
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Can you wirelessly charge an iPhone 12 without MagSafe?
Yes, you can wirelessly charge an iPhone 12 without MagSafe. Like any iPhone from the iPhone 8 onwards, newer iPhones such as the iPhone 12, 13 and 14 support the cross-manufacturer standard Qi and can be charged inductively on all Qi-certified charging stations.
iPhone inductive charging: Here's how it's done
If your iPhone supports inductive charging, you can easily charge it wirelessly. The advantages are obvious: You don’t need to bother with the charging cable and the connection on your iPhone also remains free during charging. This prevents wear while also offering the opportunity to connect accessories to your iPhone during wireless charging.
To use inductive charging on your iPhone, you only need a compatible charging station. It thus makes no difference whether you want to wirelessly charge an iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16 or another mobile phone.
Wireless charging of an iPhone: Instructions
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Step 1: Connect a charging station
First connect the charging station to a suitable power supply unit and a power supply.
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Step 2: Position the charging station correctly
Then place the charging pad on a level surface so that the iPhone can safely charge wirelessly.
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Step 3: Charge the iPhone wirelessly
Now place your iPhone in the centre of the charging station with the display facing up. The more precisely the iPhone is positioned, the better. The lightning symbol in the status bar indicates the charging process.
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Step 4: Keep the iPhone in the optimum position
Switch the vibration alert off or use an iPhone phone case for inductive charging. This allows you to prevent the iPhone from moving due to vibrations and possibly interrupting the charging process.
iPhone inductive charging: Is Qi charging harmful for the rechargeable battery?
Wireless charging on the iPhone, i.e. charging without cables via the cross-manufacturer charging standard Qi, is not normally harmful for the rechargeable battery. On the contrary: Modern induction chargers are equipped with all the important charging technologies to charge the iPhone in the correct way. It makes no difference whether you charge your iPhone wirelessly or use a classic charging cable.
It is more important that you end the inductive charging of your iPhone once the rechargeable battery is fully charged. If you want to charge your iPhone particularly gently, also pay attention to the general information on how to charge a phone battery properly.
MagSafe: Fast wireless chargingfor the iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16
Apple introduced MagSafe with the iPhone 12. This refers to additional charging features for inductive charging on the iPhone. However, you can naturally also wirelessly charge your iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 without MagSafe, i.e. the same way as you can wirelessly charge the iPhone 11 and older iPhones.
But what advantages does MagSafe offer? That’s easy to explain: With MagSafe-compatible charging stations, such as the Hama MagLine, the electricity flows into the battery more quickly. This means that you can wirelessly charge the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15 with up to 15 watts and the iPhone 16 with up to 25 watts with up to 15 watts. MagSafe also makes inductive charging on the iPhone much easier: Thanks to the magnets fitted in the smartphone, MagSafe-compatible iPhones automatically adopt the ideal position for inductive charging on MagSafe-compatible charging stations.
To exploit all of the advantages of MagSafe, you need an iPhone 12 or newer and a charging station that supports MagSafe.
MagSafe in the car: Practical accessories
The MagSafe magnets hold the iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 so stable that it even remains securely in place in the car. This means you can also wirelessly charge your iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 in the car. MagSafe-compatible charging stations for the car can be attached to the air vents, for example. Even without inductive charging, the iPhone can be held in place in the car by MagSafe, like with a suction cup on the windscreen. Discover the MagLine products from Hama. Get in, dock your iPhone, drive away – that’s possible in no time without any annoying tangle of cables in the cockpit.
MagSafe-compatible accessories for the car
MagSafe alternatives: Use Qi chargers to inductively charge the iPhone
Inductive charging on the iPhone works with all Qi-certified induction chargers, as every iPhone has been Qi-capable for several generations. Qi charging is thus also possible on older iPhones. The cross-manufacturer charging standard is now widespread and is also an ideal alternative to a MagSafe charger for the iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.
The Qi standard on the iPhone offers you great flexibility if you want to wirelessly charge your iPhone 11, for example. On a desk, for instance, you can use a Qi charger that also holds your iPhone upright. This allows you to always keep sight of the display and you can even hold video calls while you inductively charge your iPhone.
Qi wireless chargers for your iPhone
Overview: Which iPhones can be charged wirelessly?
Newer iPhones support inductive charging both via MagSafe and via the widespread Qi standard. Other iPhones without MagSafe on board can also be charged wirelessly – both on MagSafe chargers and on all Qi-certified charging stations. You only have to do without magnetic alignment and fast inductive charging with older iPhones.
| iPhone model | Wireless charging with | Maximum charging speed |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 | MagSafe | 25 Watt |
| iPhone 16 Plus | ||
| iPhone 16 Pro | ||
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | ||
| iPhone 15 Pro | 15 Watt | |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | ||
| iPhone 15 Plus | ||
| iPhone 15 | ||
| iPhone 14 Pro | ||
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | ||
| iPhone 14 Plus | ||
| iPhone 14 | ||
| iPhone 13 Pro | ||
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | ||
| iPhone 13 | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | ||
| iPhone 12 | ||
| iPhone 13 mini | 12 Watt | |
| iPhone 12 mini | ||
| iPhone 11 Pro | QI | 7,5 Watt |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | ||
| iPhone 11 | ||
| iPhone SE (2. Gen.) | ||
| iPhone XS | ||
| iPhone XS Max | ||
| iPhone XR | ||
| iPhone X | ||
| iPhone 8 | ||
| iPhone 8 Plus |
Does iPhone wireless charging work with a case
A phone case or a cover offers protection against scratches and damage. They shield the iPhone from environmental influences. Inductive charging on the iPhone can thus also be impaired if the phone case is too thick. This is why there are special covers, phone cases and booklets that both protect the iPhone and allow for wireless charging.
Such phone cases are even recommended if you want to charge an iPhone 11 or older without a cable. This prevents any unwanted sliding of the phone if the vibration alert is activated, so that the iPhone can be optimally charged wirelessly.
