Take off the case (thick cases, metal plates, cards and magnets block charging), center the iPhone on the charger, use a known-good charger and adapter, and restart. MagSafe needs iPhone 12 or later. If it charges with a cable but never wirelessly, especially if the back glass is cracked, the charging coil or its connection is probably damaged.
Check compatibility
Wireless charging works on iPhone 8 and later. MagSafe, with its magnetic alignment, is on iPhone 12 and later. Older models can still use standard Qi chargers.
A MagSafe charger will still charge an iPhone 8 through 11, but without the magnets it won't hold the phone in the right place, so alignment matters more. If you have an older model and charging is unreliable, a stand or a pad with clear alignment markings helps.
Remove anything in the way
- Thick or rugged cases.
- Metal plates for car mounts.
- Cards, wallets and grips stuck to the back.
- Magnets that aren't part of a MagSafe accessory.
Then place the iPhone in the center of the charger. On a flat Qi pad, even a small offset can stop charging.
Rule out the charger
Try a different wireless charger, and plug the charger into the power adapter that came with it. Many chargers won't work properly with a low-power adapter. Check the charger's cable too: a damaged cable is a common cause.
Some chargers show a light that blinks or changes color when something's wrong, often when a foreign object or a misaligned phone is detected. Check the charger's instructions for what its lights mean.
Choosing a charger that works
- Buy certified chargers from reputable brands. Cheap, uncertified pads often charge slowly, overheat or stop working.
- For MagSafe, use a MagSafe-certified charger with an adapter powerful enough for it.
- A stand that holds the phone upright makes alignment easier than a flat pad, especially for models without MagSafe.
- Avoid charging on soft surfaces like beds or sofas, where heat can't escape.
Software and heat
Wireless charging creates more heat than a cable, and your iPhone pauses charging if it gets too warm. Let it cool, take the case off and try again. Optimized Battery Charging can also hold the battery at 80% for a while, which is normal.
Restart the iPhone and update iOS in Settings → General → Software Update.
Check that it's actually charging: a lightning bolt appears on the battery icon, and the phone shows a charging animation when you set it down. If you see nothing at all, the phone isn't detecting the charger.
Signs it's the iPhone
- It charges fine with a cable but never on any wireless charger.
- The back glass is cracked or shattered.
- It stopped after a drop.
- A MagSafe charger snaps on but nothing happens.
A phone that charges wirelessly only sometimes, or stops partway through, can have a loose coil connection rather than a broken coil. The wireless charging coil sits right behind the back glass. Cracks and impacts that break the glass can damage the coil or its connection. See is cracked back glass safe?
How it's fixed
If the back glass is broken, a back glass repair replaces it, and we test wireless charging and MagSafe alignment afterwards. If the coil or its cable is damaged, that part is replaced too. If it won't charge with a cable either, start with iPhone not charging.
Frequently asked questions
Does cracked back glass stop wireless charging?
It can. The coil sits behind the glass, so the impact that cracks it can also damage the coil or its connection.
Is wireless charging bad for my battery?
It produces a bit more heat than a cable. With Optimized Battery Charging on and the case off when it's warm, it's fine for everyday use.
Why does wireless charging stop at 80%?
Optimized Battery Charging, or the 80% limit on iPhone 15 and later, holds charge at 80% to protect the battery. It's normal.
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