If you’ve been eyeing MagSafe on Apple’s newer budget iPhones, there’s now a surprisingly DIY way to get it. However, it’s not exactly straightforward.
A teardown by iFixit has revealed that swapping the rear panel from the newer iPhone 17e onto the older iPhone 16e can effectively add MagSafe support. It’s an unusual workaround. Still, it highlights just how similar the two devices are under the hood.
The key change is in the back panel itself. The iPhone 17e includes the necessary MagSafe magnets. Since the internal layout between the two phones is largely identical, the panel swap enables magnetic accessory support on the older model. That means cases, wallets and chargers will snap into place. This is something the 16e officially lacks.
There are some catches, though. While the hardware mod brings MagSafe compatibility, it doesn’t fully replicate the experience. The iPhone 16e doesn’t support the newer Qi2 standard. As a result, wireless charging speeds won’t consistently hit the full 15W you’d expect. You’ll also miss out on Apple’s signature MagSafe animations and software integration.
Moreover, the teardown also points to broader component overlap. Parts like the logic board and battery which is a 15.56Wh unit, are interchangeable between the two models. This should make repairs easier in the long run.
So that said, it’s not a perfect swap. Face ID reportedly stops working after the rear panel replacement, even though the front camera itself still functions.
It’s a clever discovery, but not one most people should rush to try. Still, it’s a neat reminder that sometimes the difference between two generations comes down to more than just what’s listed on the spec sheet.
