MagSafe, Qi and Qi2: car charging mounts explained
What the three labels on a wireless charging car mount mean, which phones work with each, and why your phone may charge slower than the box says.
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A wireless charging car mount will carry at least one of three labels: Qi, MagSafe or Qi2. They describe how the phone is charged and whether magnets hold it in place. Here is what each one means and how to tell which your phone can use.
The three labels
| Label | Magnets | Charging speed | Works with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qi | No | Up to 15 watts | Most phones with wireless charging |
| MagSafe | Yes | Up to 15 watts; up to 25 watts on most iPhone 16 and later models | Most iPhones from the iPhone 12 on |
| Qi2 | Yes | 15 watts; up to 25 watts in the newest version | Phones built for Qi2, including recent iPhones |
Qi
Qi, pronounced "chee", is the original wireless charging standard. It has no magnets, so the phone has to rest in the right spot on the charging pad for power to flow. In a car, that means the mount needs arms or a cradle to hold the phone in position.
MagSafe
MagSafe is Apple's magnetic system. A ring of magnets in the phone snaps it on to a matching ring in the charger, which both holds the phone and lines it up for charging. Most iPhones from the iPhone 12 on have it. A few lower-cost models do not, so check the specifications for your exact phone.
Many mounts are labeled "MagSafe compatible" instead of MagSafe. They hold the phone with magnets, but many are plain Qi chargers underneath, and Apple says many Qi chargers charge an iPhone at up to 7.5 watts. Check the wattage the mount states for iPhones.
Qi2
Qi2 is the newer open standard. It adds a magnet ring to Qi, using a design based on MagSafe, so any phone maker can build it in. The first version charges at up to 15 watts. A newer version, labeled Qi2 25W, reaches up to 25 watts on phones that support it.
Some phones are described as "Qi2 Ready". They have no magnets of their own. Paired with a Qi2 Ready case made for that phone, they attach to a magnetic mount and charge like a Qi2 phone.
How to tell what your phone supports
- Check the phone's specifications, not the mount's. A mount can only charge as fast as the phone allows.
- Look for the magnet ring. If the phone or its case snaps firmly on to a magnetic charger, it has one.
- Mixing standards usually works, just slower. A magnetic iPhone will charge on a plain Qi mount at a lower speed. A Qi phone without magnets generally needs a magnetic case to stay in place on a MagSafe or Qi2 mount. Expect the speed to drop to what the phone and the mount have in common.
Why charging in the car can be slower than the box says
The wattage on the box is a maximum. Three things commonly hold it back in a car.
- The power source. A wireless mount needs more power than it delivers. Many 15 watt mounts need a car adapter rated at 20 watts or more, and 25 watt mounts need 30 watts or more. Plugged into a low-power USB port built into the car, they charge slowly or not at all. Check the mount's stated power requirement.
- Heat. Phones slow down charging when they get warm, and a dashboard in the sun is a warm place. A vent mount with the air conditioning running helps in summer. In winter, a vent blowing hot air on the phone does the opposite.
- The case. A thick case weakens the magnetic hold and can slow charging. Cards, metal plates and grips stuck to the back get in the way. Take cards out of a wallet case before charging.
What to buy
- Recent iPhone: a MagSafe or Qi2 mount. Both hold the phone magnetically.
- Android phone with Qi2 and built-in magnets: a Qi2 mount.
- Qi2 Ready phone: a Qi2 mount plus a Qi2 Ready case made for that phone.
- Phone with Qi only: a Qi mount with a cradle or arms, or a magnetic case paired with a magnetic mount.
- Phone without wireless charging: a plain holder and a cable.
Before you order, run through the five checks for any car phone mount.