Your Older iPhone Could Get Better Wireless Charging with a Simple Download

When Apple launched MagSafe charging alongside the iPhone 12 in 2020 – the feature held the promise of finally helping consumers charge their phones quickly and reliably with minimal hassle. 

Specifically, the new technology doubled the max rate at which compatible iPhones could charge wirelessly, up to 15 watts. Apple also clearly wanted to kill one of the biggest day-to-day frustrations of other wireless charging standards – i.e., placing your phone on a wireless charging pad only to discover later that your device didn’t charge.

As the name implies, MagSafe charging leverages integrated magnets to lock iPhones into place for charging, ensuring they are always correctly aligned to charge. MagSafe charging is also more efficient than the current mainstream wireless charging standard Qi, meaning it wastes less power.

Like many new Apple hardware innovations, though, unlocking this benefit required buying new MagSafe-compatible chargers, MagSafe-compatible phone cases, and other MagSafe-compatible phone accessories.

With the launch of the iPhone 15, Apple integrated support for Qi2 (pronounced Chi) wireless charging, a new, more universal wireless charging standard, which Apple helped directly develop in conjunction with the Wireless Power Consortium.

A slew of recent iOS updates have also brought the improved charging capabilities to the iPhone 14, 13 and, as of this week, even the iPhone 12.

The new standard unlocks the same fast charging and magnetic placement benefits initially offered via MagSafe. Only in this case, a charger you use doesn’t have to be MagSafe certified. And since Qi2 isn’t an Apple proprietary standard, Qi2-certified chargers can deliver the same benefits to non-iPhones that support Qi2 as well.

What you need to download on your iPhone to unlock Qi2 charging capabilities.

To update your software, tap the setting icon > general > software update.

If you own an iPhone 15, you don’t need to hunt down anything to download. The capabilities came with your phone right out of the box. 

If you own an iPhone 14 or 13, you must ensure your phone’s software is at least updated with iOS 17.2. 

If you own an iPhone 12, downloading the most recent iOS update, iOS 17.4, will add the functionality to your device. 

Tap the setting icon > general > software update to update your software. 

To check what version of iOS your iPhone is running, tap the settings icon > general > about.

Do I need new equipment besides an updated iPhone for Qi2 charging?

Yes. Accessing the benefits of Qi2 charging requires a Qi2-compatible charger. Unfortunately, Qi2-compatible chargers are all relatively new. 

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a ton on an updated charger. Anker’s MagGo Qi2 certified pad only costs $29. It’s even less ($20) if you use your own charging brick. 

But wait, wow is this different from buying a new MagSafe charger you ask?

The primary answer is that Qi2 chargers are cheaper than MagSafe chargers, because they don’t require an extra level of Apple certification, which inevitably adds to a charger’s production cost.

Qi2 chargers should also be more versatile in the future than a MagSafe charger since most modern smartphones will likely support the standard. So if you or someone you care about owns an Android phone, they’ll also be able to charge their device quicker. 

Does this mean I should stop buying MagSafe certified products?

That’s a tricky question. If you own and use many non-Apple products, it makes much more sense to invest in Qi2-certified chargers moving forward.

The question still needs to be answered if you own Apple gear. It’s hard to trump a product that’s more universally compatible. That said, Apple may continue to build on its MagSafe standard and unlock new functionality for iPhone users – such as fast wireless data transfers or even faster charging rate – that can only work with MagSafe-approved devices.

So if you and your family plan on sticking with Apple gear and don’t mind paying a slight premium for MagSafe chargers, it may still make sense to keep buying guide.

What are some Qi2 chargers that I can use with my iPhone?

For more information on Qi2 wireless charging, we encourage you to check out our guide. We’ve also added a few recently launched Qi2-compatible chargers below.

Amazon

Nomad

Belkin

Belkin

Hyper