You Can Use MagSafe Accessories On Older iPhones That Don't Support It - Here's How

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MagSafe, Apple's magnetic alignment technology, was introduced with the iPhone 12 in late 2020. iPhones that support MagSafe have a ring of magnets built right into the back. The magnets surround the iPhone's charging coil on the inside, making one of their essential functions preventing misalignment with MagSafe wireless chargers. Perfect alignment is what makes wireless charging more efficient since less energy is lost. That also means less heat, which is good for the health of the lithium-ion battery. MagSafe can also be used to attach a wide range of accessories to an iPhone, including wallets, SSDs, stands, ring lights, car mounts, and even game controllers.

It's understandable why someone who uses an older iPhone would want to also take advantage of MagSafe technology. There are two simple ways to do so: a MagSafe case or a ring adapter. Once you have chosen one, MagSafe chargers and accessories will easily snap to the iPhone and not slip out of place. And while some users don't need a phone case, those who do should still get a MagSafe case, even if their iPhone has built-in magnets, as regular cases can weaken or block MagSafe attachments.

Phone cases are always specific to the model. For some iPhone cases, you can pick your model on a retailer's product page. But no matter the case you pick, you should always ensure that the integrated magnets are strong enough to hold the charger or accessory without it falling off. If you're in a store, you may be able to try a MagSafe accessory or two to ensure that is the case. If you're shopping online, take a look at the user reviews. For instance, on Amazon, you can scroll down to the "Customers say" section and see what the overall sentiment is around a case's MagSafe features, especially around words like "magnet strength."

MagSafe ring adapters, on the other hand, are ideal if you want to use MagSafe features without changing your phone case. A good option is the Spigen MagSafe Ring Plate, which costs $18.99 and comes with an alignment tray to help with installation. (Remember, the alignment needs to be exact if you want wireless charging to be as efficient as possible.) Also, be aware that the adapter will not work with silicone, suede, leather, or patterned cases. After successful installation, the ring adapter is compatible with all MagSafe attachments. It even has the positioning magnet at the bottom that helps keep accessories like wallets and grips positioned properly.

The good news is that if you have an iPhone 8 through iPhone 11, a MagSafe charger or MagSafe battery pack can charge it wirelessly. The bad news, however, is that these iPhones use an older wireless charging protocol called Qi, which is pronounced "chee." Under ideal scenarios, Qi can reach charging speeds of up to 15 W, but these older iPhones have their wireless charging speed capped at 7.5 W. A certified MagSafe charger can reach a maximum charging speed of 25 W. However, the cases and adapters can still be attached to iPhones without wireless charging capability, such as the iPhone 7 and older, for using basic MagSafe attachments.

With an older iPhone, you're also not going to get that pairing animation that you get when you snap on a certified MagSafe accessory. The iPhones that support MagSafe have a single-coil NFC reader integrated into them, which is what initiates a "handshake" with the accessory. For example, it's how the iPhone is able to tell that a charger is perfectly aligned so it can begin the fast-charging process. 

For MagSafe ring adapters, in particular, another downside is that they can add extra weight and a bump at the back that can make the phone awkward to hold. Though you may not get all the benefits of MagSafe with an older iPhone, choosing the right MagSafe case or ring adapter will allow you to wirelessly charge your phone more efficiently and take advantage of a variety of accessories.