Inductive chargers (wireless)

How does an inductive charger work?

A coil in the charger creates an alternating magnetic field, which the coil in your phone converts back into electric current. That's why both coils have to sit directly above each other — shifting the phone by just a few millimetres slows charging down or stops it. A wireless charger has no power of its own: it needs a power adapter, usually connected via USB-C, with the wattage specified by the manufacturer. An underpowered adapter is the most common reason for slow charging.

Wireless charging standards — Qi, Qi2 and MagSafe

• Qi — the basic standard of the Wireless Power Consortium. The Baseline Power Profile delivers up to 5 W, the Extended Power Profile up to 15 W. It works with most smartphones that support wireless charging.
• MagSafe — Apple's system with a ring of magnets that aligns the iPhone precisely over the coil. On the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max it delivers up to 25 W with a 30 W power adapter.
• Qi2 — a magnetic standard based on Apple's design, up to 15 W; the Qi2 25W version raises the power to 25 W. Qi2 chargers also charge regular Qi phones, just without the magnetic snap.

Phones without built-in magnets can be attached to magnetic chargers using a case with a magnetic ring.

Which wireless charger should you choose?

Pad or stand

A flat pad works well on your bedside table, a stand on your desk — the phone stays upright and you can see your notifications.

Magnetic charger

It holds the phone in one position, so you don't have to find the coil. You can keep using it while holding the phone in your hand.

2-in-1 and 3-in-1 stations

They charge your phone, earbuds and watch at the same time. Apple Watch needs its own magnetic charger — a standard Qi coil won't charge it — and for other watches, check compatibility in the station's description. To charge even more devices at once, use charging stations.

What to look out for

• Power vs. phone — the phone only draws as much as it supports; a 15 W charger won't speed up a model that accepts less.
• Case — thick cases, metal plates and cards in a flip cover block charging.
• Power adapter — choose one from the wall chargers category with the wattage recommended by the charger's manufacturer.
• Heat — inductive charging is less efficient than charging by cable and warms the phone up more.

You'll find the full range of power accessories in the chargers section, and magnetic add-ons among MagSafe accessories.