How to Test Your Wireless Charging Coil
Wireless charging (Qi charging) uses electromagnetic induction to transfer power between a charging pad and your smartphone. Over time, drops, liquid damage, or internal swelling can misalign or damage the wireless charging coil, preventing it from working properly.
What this test checks:
- Battery Charging State: Detects if the battery is actively receiving power.
- Battery Level: Displays the current percentage of your battery.
Common Wireless Charging Issues
- Misalignment: The coils in the phone and pad must line up perfectly. Try moving the phone around slightly.
- Thick Cases: Cases thicker than 3-5mm or those with metal plates/magnets can block the induction field.
- Heat: Wireless charging generates heat. If the phone gets too hot, it may temporarily pause charging to protect the battery.
- Hardware Failure: If wired charging works but wireless doesn't (and the pad works with other devices), your phone's internal charging coil or flex cable may be damaged.
Privacy Note: This test runs entirely in your browser. No battery or device data is sent to our servers.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my phone not charging wirelessly?
The most common causes are misalignment, a thick case or a PopSocket, a magnetic wallet or metal plate, an underpowered adapter plugged into the pad, or the phone getting too warm. Remove the case, center the phone on the pad, and use the power adapter recommended by the pad manufacturer.
Which phones support wireless charging?
All iPhones since the iPhone 8, all Samsung Galaxy S series phones since the S6, Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models, and Google Pixel phones since the Pixel 3 (except the Pixel a-series before the Pixel 7a). Most budget Android phones do not support it.
What is the difference between Qi, Qi2 and MagSafe?
Qi is the universal wireless charging standard, usually 5 to 15 watts. Qi2 adds magnetic alignment like MagSafe and supports 15 W, with newer Qi2 versions going higher. Apple MagSafe charges recent iPhones faster with Apple's latest MagSafe charger and a powerful enough USB-C adapter.
Is wireless charging bad for my battery?
Wireless charging creates more heat than wired charging, and heat is what ages batteries. Using a quality pad with a cooling fan, removing thick cases and avoiding charging under a pillow keeps temperatures in a safe range.
Why does wireless charging stop and start?
Stop-start charging usually means the phone is slightly off-center, the pad is overheating, or the adapter can't supply enough power. It can also be caused by a damaged charging coil after a drop.