MagSafe charger not working? Here's how to fix it
⚡ Fast fix
- Remove incompatible case: If your phone case isn’t compatible with MagSafe®, charge your iPhone® wirelessly without it.
- Align the MagSafe charger: Put the MagSafe puck directly over the magnetic ring on your case.
- Check for overheating: Let your iPhone and wireless charger cool down if they feel too warm.
- Clean the charging surfaces: Debris may interfere with wireless charging.
You place your plugged-in MagSafe charger on the back of your iPhone, expecting it to start charging. But the charger won’t snap into place, or the charging keeps cutting out. Why is your MagSafe charger not working?
Every day, Asurion helps people troubleshoot wireless charging issues on their iPhones. And we’ve found that when you’re having trouble with MagSafe, the charger itself is rarely the problem. Here’s how to find and fix common issues.
Check for case interference or misalignment
The MagSafe wireless charging puck (circular magnetic disc connected to a cable) is designed to attach itself to the back of your iPhone for proper alignment and fast wireless charging. If your iPhone is charging slower than usual or the puck won’t attach properly, your phone case could be getting in the way:
- Remove non-MagSafe phone case: If you’re using a case that’s incompatible with MagSafe wireless chargers, remove it. The case could be too thick or contain metal that interferes with wireless charging.
- Align the charger: On the back of your iPhone case, place the puck in the middle of the MagSafe ring. MagSafe alignment is necessary for proper wireless charging.
Make sure you’re using a strong enough power adapter
When using MagSafe, your iPhone can charge at up to 25 watts (W), which is enough power for fast wireless charging. However, the actual power delivered to your phone depends on your iPhone model and your USB-C power adapter wattage.
If your MagSafe isn’t charging your phone quickly or properly, your adapter may not be supplying sufficient power. In that case, finding a power adapter with enough wattage could solve the problem. Use a USB-C power adapter with the following power rating:
- 20W or greater: iPhone 15 and earlier models
- 30W or greater: iPhone 16 and later models
You don’t need any special tool to identify an adapter’s power delivery rating. Simply look for the wattage printed on the adapter or listed in its specifications document.
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Clean the charging surfaces and let things cool down
MagSafe chargers can attract debris and dust during everyday use, which may interfere with wireless charging. To clean your MagSafe charger, unplug it from power, then gently wipe the charging puck with a dry cloth. Also, brush away any dirt from the magnetic ring on your MagSafe-compatible iPhone case.
If your phone charged magnetically for a while but the MagSafe charger stopped working abruptly, excess heat could be the problem.
It’s normal for your device to get warm when charging wirelessly. However, your iPhone overheating while charging may slow down or pause wireless charging. When this happens, you’ll see the Charging On Hold notification on your lock screen. In that case, remove your iPhone from the MagSafe charger to let it cool down. Wireless charging should resume once your phone returns to a normal temperature.
You don’t have to wait for the notification, though. If your MagSafe charger feels unusually hot while charging, it could be overheating. Let the charger and the iPhone cool down before trying to charge again. If you’re still having charging problems after the temperature returns to normal, checking your iPhone’s battery health can help you determine whether the battery itself could be contributing to the issue.
Test the charger on another device
A MagSafe charger can stop working over time because of wear and tear. To rule out a faulty wireless charger, test it on one of the MagSafe-compatible iPhone models (iPhone 12 and newer models). If the charger works normally with the other phone, the issue may be with your original iPhone rather than the MagSafe puck.
You can also connect your mobile device to a power adapter with a standard charging cable. If the iPhone won’t charge at all, it could be the issue. But if it charges properly with the cable but not with MagSafe, you can narrow down the problem to the wireless charger (or its power adapter).
MagSafe charger not working even after trying all the common fixes? The charger could be damaged, and it may be time to buy a new one.
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FAQ
How do I fix my MagSafe charger?
Clean the charging surfaces and let your MagSafe charger (and phone) cool down before trying to charge again.
Why is my iPhone not magnetically charging?
An incompatible phone case, overheating, puck misalignment, or insufficient power may prevent MagSafe from charging.
Can a MagSafe charger go bad?
Yes, MagSafe chargers can develop faults over time and eventually stop charging properly.
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