MagSafe has long been a defining feature in Apple’s product lineup, debuting on MacBooks back in the early 2000s before making its way to iPhones more recently in 2020. But what exactly is MagSafe, and does it really live up to the hype?
As one of Apple’s most instantly recognisable innovations, MagSafe has shown up across multiple product categories over the years. The twist, however, is that MagSafe on MacBooks and MagSafe on iPhone aren’t the same thing – they’re built differently and serve different purposes.
So, what makes them unique, and why has Apple leaned so heavily into this technology?
We break down everything you need to know about MagSafe – what it does, how quickly it works, and which devices you’ll find it on today – right here.
What is MagSafe?
Apple MagSafe first appeared on the MacBook Pro in 2006 as a magnet-based power charger. It provided a secure connection to the laptop’s power port while still being easy to unplug, preventing the device from getting damaged if someone were to trip on the power lead accidentally.
The company then phased out the technology, with the 2017 MacBook Air opting for standard USB-C charging. This is because USB-C offers more versatility, providing power delivery, display output, and data transfer capabilities. That said, MagSafe made its inevitable return on the MacBook Pro 2021 and MacBook Air 2022.
The iPhone 12 series was the first iPhone to support the technology, though it came in a slightly different form. The magnets were stuck onto the rear of the phone, allowing it to snap onto Apple’s wireless charging puck instead of requiring a magnetic cable. It has been a staple of practically every iPhone since, and we’re now seeing similar tech on Android rivals like the Pixel 10 Pro.
Looking at the charger itself, it appears similar to the Apple Watch Series 10 charger, albeit slightly larger. It is round, white and has a silver ring and back, being small enough to slip into a bag. It sits flush with the table, making it simple to connect to your iPhone. While it will disconnect if you start frantically moving your phone around, the connection remains reliably sturdy.
Since the iPhone now features a magnet system embedded within it, it can be used with various accessories, such as camera tripods, car docks, and wallets, making it more than just a charging feature.
What’s the difference between MagSafe and Qi2?
If you have been keeping up with all the latest wireless charging standard news, you may have come across another wireless charging solution: Qi2. While Apple has had a direct hand in shaping the latest Qi2 wireless standard, it does differ from MagSafe in one key area.
Both MagSafe and Qi2 utilise magnets to provide a secure, power-efficient way to wirelessly attach the charger to the smartphone, offering a slightly faster charging speed compared to the standard Qi solution.
One of the most significant differences is that Qi2 is able to charge non-Apple devices, namely Android smartphones. While Android manufacturers initially provided MagSafe-compatible cases instead of embedding the tech into phones, we’ve started to see proper integration from the recent Pixel 10 collection, and rumours suggest it could come to the Galaxy S26 collection next year too.
On the Apple side, the iPhone 16 has the hardware to support the latest Qi2 charging technology, including faster charge speeds.
How does MagSafe for iPhone work?
Apple provides a detailed outline of the components within its iPhone models that support MagSafe. There’s a copper-graphite shield, a magnet array, a polycarbonate housing, a charging coil, an e-shield and an NFC component too. In the centre of all that is an alignment magnet to ensure the charger sits in the optimal place for maximum charging efficiency.
How fast is MagSafe for iPhone?
When MagSafe initially launched, its maximum charge speed was 15W. It’s not exactly the fastest charging solution out there, but it was an improvement on the 7.5W Qi wireless charging that came before it.
During our testing, a completely depleted iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro took an hour to charge up to 50% using the MagSafe charging, while the same test on a 7.5W Qi pad from Mophie took well over an hour. So, while it’s not the most sophisticated charging solution, it is definitely one of the fastest wireless solutions for iPhones.
That said, Apple upgraded the MagSafe tech with the launch of the latest iPhone 16 range. While it still functions in the exact same way as it does with older iPhones, it can charge at an increased 25W when paired with a 30W charging brick.
You’ll need a new MagSafe charger to achieve those speeds, but it does shorten the time it takes to charge an iPhone.
Does a MagSafe charger come with the iPhone?
While MagSafe is supported on most recent iPhone models, the accessories are not included in the box.
Users will need to purchase the MagSafe Charger, which costs an additional £39/$39, while the MagSafe Duo charger is listed for £129/$129.
Which iPhones support MagSafe?
Check out all of the iPhones that support MagSafe technology listed below:
Rather oddly, Apple’s only recent smartphone released without MagSafe is the iPhone 16e. It still supports Qi-based wireless charging, but it won’t work with magnetic accessories.
Do you need a MagSafe case?
A MagSafe case is not required to charge an iPhone via the MagSafe charger, but a MagSafe-compatible case will ensure a more secure magnetic connection. MagSafe-compatible silicone cases cost £49/$49 from the Apple store, while the leather MagSafe cases cost £59/$59.
If Apple’s options are a little too expensive for your tastes, there’s also a healthy range of third-party case makers that include magnets within their cases to aid with MagSafe charging technology.
Can you use MagSafe with any case?
Unfortunately, not every case is compatible with MagSafe charging.
Some third-party iPhone cases still allow the device to be charged via MagSafe, although it appears this is primarily influenced by the thickness of your case. If the iPhone case is particularly thick, has a kickstand in the rear, or if you have attached something to the back of your phone, it’s unlikely that MagSafe charging will work.
If you want to use MagSafe charging, we recommend looking for MagSafe branding when purchasing a case for your device. Otherwise, you can buy a case directly from the Apple store to ensure a robust and reliable connection.
Can you use MagSafe on older iPhone models?
We do not recommend using a MagSafe charger on any iPhone before the iPhone 12, so iPhone 11 owners are out of luck.
While the MagSafe charger will technically work with an iPhone 11, many people have reported very low charging speeds, making it a less worthwhile option. 9to5Mac claims that the iPhone 11’s charging speeds were as slow as 0.96W when using a MagSafe charger, compared to the 15W speed achieved with an iPhone 12.
Does MagSafe work with Apple Watch and AirPods?
There are some caveats to consider if you’re looking to charge all your Apple devices with MagSafe.
Since it uses Qi tech at its core, you can charge AirPods, AirPods Pro and the latest AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe, though it does not offer the same magnetic benefits. The charging speed is approximately the same as that of a standard wireless charger, and it is still slower than using a cable.
The Apple Watch series, including the latest Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, utilises a proprietary form of wireless charging and is not compatible with MagSafe Chargers. Apple would either need to switch to Qi on the next Apple Watch or make the next MagSafe Charger also compatible with the charging method used by the Apple Watch.
A slight workaround seems to be the Duo Charger, an Apple accessory with a spot for your phone and a dedicated Apple Watch charger.
Does MagSafe work with Android devices?
The MagSafe charger can charge any Android device that supports the Qi standard. However, charging an Android device via MagSafe is a slower process, similar to using MagSafe on iPhones older than the iPhone 12.
That said, with the Qi2 standard adopting many of the same properties as Apple’s MagSafe tech, Android manufacturers are slowly coming around to the idea of MagSafe compatibility. Most at this point are offering cases with magnets built in rather than adding them to the chassis directly, but we’re slowly seeing the tides change.
Is the MagSafe charger worth buying?
The concept of a MagSafe ecosystem is intriguing, and it offers a faster solution compared to standard Qi charging. Since it works via a magnet, you can still use your device whilst it’s charging, which can be an issue with wireless charging in general.
However, the cable length for MagSafe chargers maxes out at 1m, although the fact that the connector attaches in the middle of the phone can make it feel shorter than the standard USB to Lightning Cable. Additionally, if you own an Apple Watch, you will need to ensure that you have a dedicated charger for that device as well.
But as a £39 add-on, the MagSafe charger is a neat solution that works well in most environments and might one day be the only method available to charge your device.
Does MagSafe work with MacBooks?
Both the MacBook Pro 2021 and later models, as well as the MacBook Air 2022 and later models, feature MagSafe charging, although it differs from the technology found on the iPhone. For the MacBook, MagSafe is actually built into the charging cable to ensure a magnetic connection, much like the older MacBook models.
We’re big fans of its inclusion with Apple’s laptops – not only does it offer a safety feature (since if you trip over the cable, it simply detaches rather than remaining taut), but it also charges pretty fast. In our experience, we achieved a 50% charge in around 35 minutes, which aligns with Apple’s claims.
