Apple's MagSafe was originally an exclusive feature on the 2020 iPhone 12 line, but five years later, the best parts of MagSafe are now also available on Android phones like Google's Pixel 10 line. That's because Apple has contributed the key parts of MagSafe into the open Qi2.2 standard, and the next wave of flagship phones might have faster wireless charging and support for magnetic accessories.
The Qi2.2 wireless charging standard comes from the Wireless Power Consortium, whose membership includes Apple, Google and many other phone companies that collectively build and implement improvements to Qi wireless charging.
It doesn't mean that Apple's MagSafe is going away. The company will continue to use the term for the magnetic accessories that Apple makes or certifies from third-party accessory makers. But it does mean that other phone makers will adopt the Qi2.2 standard -- which is essentially the same as MagSafe -- and even rebrand it. Google, for instance, launched a line of PixelSnap accessories that use Qi2.2, meaning they'll work just fine on Pixel phones and on Apple's iPhone.
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Even better, these wireless charging accessories are cheaper now than when MagSafe debuted, with companies such as Anker and Belkin making Qi2.2 magnetic charging pads and stands that support 25-watt speeds. These fastest speeds are currently supported by the new iPhone 17 line, the iPhone 16 and Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL, as long as you use a Qi2.2 wireless charger with at least a 30-watt power adapter.
And it's not just about charging. Apple's MagSafe and other phones that support Qi2 with built-in magnets allow for magnetic cases, wallets, stands, grips, and other accessories that can be quickly attached to the back of a phone. This means an assortment of accessories created since the 2020 launch of MagSafe for the iPhone now work on some Android phones, making them more versatile since you can likely keep using them on your next device.
Even though MagSafe is becoming more universal through the Qi2.2 standard, there's still a lot to decipher between the new standard versus what is provided with older Qi wireless charging accessories. We'll break down these differences in the next few sections.
Apple's MagSafe charger is a magnetic disk. The newest version requires a 30W wall plug to get the max 25W charging speed. David Carnoy/CNET
What is MagSafe for iPhone?
Apple's MagSafe for iPhone standard refers to both a series of magnets that have been installed in most new iPhone models since 2020 -- except for the iPhone SE and iPhone 16E -- and a wireless charging standard that can recharge an iPhone faster (15-25W) than the original Qi standard (7.5W).
The MagSafe standard allows for accessories that can be attached to an iPhone using magnets, such as MagSafe phone cases, wallets, mounts, grips, chargers, stands and many other options.
Before the launch of the Qi2 standard, Apple's MagSafe wireless charger was also the only way to get faster 15-watt wireless charging to work on an iPhone, with Apple citing that the magnets allowed a secure fit to help hit those speeds. In contrast to the Qi wireless charging on earlier iPhone models, which supported slower speeds and lacked the magnets to ensure the charger and phone were connected in the most efficient position. Now, Qi2 chargers provide the same 15-watt speeds for earlier iPhone models, while the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series can hit 25 watts when used with a 30-watt adapter. When using a standard Qi charger, the iPhone caps the rate at half that speed, offering 7.5-watt wireless charging.
The Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Qi2 charger. David Carnoy/CNET
What is Qi2 charging, and how is it different from MagSafe?
The Pixel 10 attached to the PixelSnap charger. Tara Brown/CNET
Qi2 is an open standard that iterates on the prior Qi wireless charging standard while incorporating elements of Apple's MagSafe standard. Qi2 has both a magnetic profile for compatibility and a 25-watt wireless charging speed, meaning that any phone that supports Qi2 could potentially support magnetic accessories along with faster wireless charging.
The first Android phone that natively supports Qi2 was the HMD Skyline, and Samsung adopted the charging standard for the Galaxy S25 series (though you needed a case to use magnetic accessories). Google was the first major Android phone-maker to have both the Qi2 charging standard and magnetic profile in its new phones: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Google announced a line of PixelSnap accessories, which is the company's branded way of describing Qi2 compatibility. The company even clarified that PixelSnap is fully compatible with Apple's MagSafe accessories during the phones' announcement.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra inside a magnetic case, with a magnetic wallet accessory attached. Celso Bulgatti/CNET
Phones without built-in magnets tend to use the term "Qi2 Ready" to delineate the difference from just having the Qi2 charging standard without the magnetic profile. Samsung sells first-party magnetic cases for the Galaxy S25 line that have the Qi2 magnetic profile built in, and OnePlus is selling a similar magnetic case for its OnePlus 13.
MagSafe-compatible iPhones support Qi2, meaning that if you buy a Qi2 wireless charger, it should support at least 15-watt wireless charging. The newest MagSafe charger now sold by Apple bumps that up to 25W speeds when used with phones that support Qi2.2 -- which right now include the iPhone 16 line, the iPhone 17 line and the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Google's official PixelSnap charger also supports Qi2.2, meaning it should provide the same speed.
Plus, Qi2 phones that have magnets should support the plethora of magnetic accessories that were first released with MagSafe in mind, likely bringing compatibility to docks, mounts, grips and wallet accessories. Some of these Qi2 accessories are also slightly cheaper than MagSafe-certified accessories, which require certification by Apple in order to get the MagSafe branding.
Belkin's iPhone mount attaches with MagSafe. David Carnoy/CNET
Which MagSafe accessories can I use?
With the launch of Qi2, several different types of magnetic accessories are now available that could work with your phone. This can get a bit confusing, but if you buy a magnetic phone accessory and your phone supports either MagSafe or Qi2, it should attach and function to varying degrees.
If you buy a MagSafe or Qi2-certified wireless charger, you should be able to use it to get at least the maximum 15-watt wireless charging speed when you've attached it to your phone. This includes charging docks and stands, which also include MagSafe or Qi2 branding. If you have an iPhone 16 series, iPhone 17 series or the Pixel 10 Pro XL, you can get faster 25-watt charging using a MagSafe charger that's connected to a 30-watt or faster power adapter.
If you buy a magnetic wireless charger that does not specify whether it's MagSafe or Qi2-certified, that likely means that while the charger will attach to your phone, it will probably charge at the original Qi standard that is limited to a 7.5-watt speed when using it with an iPhone. Results could vary when using one with an Android phone, since some phones do support 15-watt wireless charging over the prior Qi standard.
And if you're buying a noncharging magnetic accessory -- like a wallet or a dock for using your phone as a webcam -- that accessory will likely work with any MagSafe-compatible phone regardless of its branding. These accessories are created with the magnets inside the phone in mind and will largely attach regardless of their certification. However, I have noticed -- in my own personal experience -- that the strength of the magnets can vary between accessory-makers. If you're buying a magnetic grip, for example, test it out a bit after buying to make sure it fits your needs like you would a pair of shoes, and don't destroy the box in case you decide to return it.
Apple once sold a MagSafe battery pack for any MagSafe iPhone. Now it sells only a model for the iPhone Air. Patrick Holland/CNET
Which iPhones are compatible with MagSafe?
Every iPhone that's been released since 2020 -- barring the iPhone SE line and the iPhone 16E -- is compatible with MagSafe and the Qi2 standard. This includes the iPhone 12 line and later. The iPhone 11 is not compatible with MagSafe, but it does work with the original Qi wireless standard for charging. It just won't be as fast or involve magnets.
The HMD Skyline is one of the first Android phones with Qi2 support, including the ability to use magnetic attachments. HMD/Viva Tung/CNET
Which Android phones are compatible with MagSafe or Qi2 wireless charging?
The HMD Skyline is the first Android phone to support the Qi2 wireless standard with magnets and has now been joined by Google's Pixel 10 line. Outside of those devices, you can often add a "MagSafe-like" experience to an Android phone using magnetic cases that some accessory-makers create. As mentioned earlier, Samsung and OnePlus are starting to provide first-party support with magnetic cases, but there are often third-party options for adding magnets to phones that support wireless charging.
The AirPods 3 feature wireless charging with MagSafe. Apple
Can I charge my Apple Watch or AirPods over MagSafe charging?
The Apple Watch does not support MagSafe charging: It uses a different type of magnetic wireless charger to refill its battery. Apple's AirPods are much more flexible, however, depending on the model, you might be able to recharge the battery case with either an Apple Watch charger or a MagSafe-compatible wireless charger.
All AirPods Pro cases support Qi wireless charging using a MagSafe charger or a standard Qi wireless charger. This also extends to the second- and third-generation standard AirPods cases. The new AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation and the AirPods Pro 2 both include Qi/MagSafe wireless charging and can use an Apple Watch charger. The standard AirPods 4, however, lack wireless charging and instead use only wired USB-C charging.
MagSafe originated on MacBook laptops, went away and then returned. Dan Ackerman/CNET
What about MagSafe on Apple's MacBook laptops?
MagSafe on Apple's MacBook line is separate from the line of MagSafe accessories for the iPhone. These proprietary laptop chargers -- which briefly went into retirement when the MacBook line adopted USB-C charging -- attach quickly to compatible MacBook laptops using a magnet and can easily detach in the event the cord is accidentally pulled from the laptop. This is particularly suitable for anyone who has a tendency to trip over power cords.
Should your MacBook include both a MagSafe port and USB-C ports, you can choose either method for recharging your laptop. Just don't try to slap an iPhone's MagSafe charger against the computer, as that will do nothing.