By Tom Pritchard
Copyright tomsguide
Skip to main content
Tom’s Guide
Newsletters
View Profile
Search Tom’s Guide
You May Like
Pixelsnap is the Pixel 10 upgrade everyone should be the most excited about — here’s why
Google Pixel 10 tipped for Qi2 magnetic charging — what we know
I just tried the Pixelsnap Qi2 charging stand for the Pixel 10 — and it’s a major disappointment
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Over-Ear Headphones
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Connections
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
Operating Systems
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
Home Brands
Popular Brands
View Phones
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
View Network Carriers
Android Phones
View Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
View Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Headphones
View Headphones
Over-Ear Headphones
View Speakers
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
View Entertainment
View Streaming
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
View Gaming
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Word Games
Connections
View Computing
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
View Hardware
View Software
Operating Systems
View Security
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
View VR & AR
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
View Laptops
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
View Desktops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
View Tablets
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
AI Engines
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
View Wellness
Mattresses
View Mattresses
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
View Fitness
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
View Outdoors
Home Brands
Popular Brands
Exclusive Apple Interview
iPhone 17 Pro
Wordle Today
Best laptops
Best Mattress
Don’t miss these
Google Phones
Pixelsnap is the Pixel 10 upgrade everyone should be the most excited about — here’s why
Google Phones
Google Pixel 10 tipped for Qi2 magnetic charging — what we know
Google Phones
I just tried the Pixelsnap Qi2 charging stand for the Pixel 10 — and it’s a major disappointment
Google Phones
I’m going to be extremely upset if the Pixel 10 doesn’t launch with this accessory — here’s why
iPhone 17’s wireless charging upgrade is actually good news for Android phones — here’s how
Google Phones
Leaked Google Pixel 10 cases seemingly confirm Qi2 is coming — why that matters
Google Phones
Pixel 10 Pro Fold could fix one major foldable weakness — but not the one you might expect
iPhone Air’s MagSafe battery looks stylish — but there’s a hidden catch
Smartwatches
This is the one upgrade that will get me to switch my Pixel Watch 3 for a Pixel Watch 4
Google Phones
Google Pixel 10 problems — Pixelsnap accessories are overheating already
Google Phones
Google Pixel 10 may not get this important performance upgrade — and I don’t get why
Google Phones
Pixel 10 Event LIVE — Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4 and all the Made by Google news
Google Phones
Google Pixel 10 series tipped to be getting heavier — but with good reason
Augmented Reality
The iPhone Air already has one major flaw — and AR glasses users won’t be happy
Google Phones
Google Pixel 10 Pro Review — A Great Phone, But it Doesn’t Feel Like Much of an Upgrade
iPhone 17 Pro is missing this big rumored feature — and now I think we know why
Tom Pritchard
15 September 2025
Reverse wireless charging and MagSafe may not play well together
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
More from Tom’s Guide
Phone rumors don’t always pan out the way we’d hoped, and the iPhone 17 Pro is no exception. Despite multiple rumors that the phone would offer reverse wireless charging, Apple’s flagship doesn’t include it after all. And Google, of all people, may have explained why Apple has stayed well away from the feature.
The Google Pixel 10 launched last month, and with it came word that the phone had removed reverse wireless charging — or Battery Share, as Google calls it. According to the company, this change came about because of Qi2 wireless charging. Or, more importantly, the magnetic ring that comes with it.
Qi2 is based on Apple’s MagSafe, which has been around since the iPhone 12. The magnets are one of the main benefits, and not just because you can use them to snap accessories to the back of your phone. Having the ring in place means perfect alignment of the wireless charging coils, which improves efficiency and charging speed, all while minimizing heat build-up.
You may like
Pixelsnap is the Pixel 10 upgrade everyone should be the most excited about — here’s why
Google Pixel 10 tipped for Qi2 magnetic charging — what we know
I just tried the Pixelsnap Qi2 charging stand for the Pixel 10 — and it’s a major disappointment
Those are all good things o have, and everything else is just a bonus. But unfortunately, those magnets apparently interfere with the addition of reverse wireless charging.
What’s going on with reverse wireless charging?
(Image credit: Apple)
Google claimed that the magnets “present a physical limitation for reverse wireless charging” but didn’t specify what this limitation might be. It’s been speculated that this was a space issue, since the magnets took up space meant for Battery Share components.
If this is the case, then it would explain why Apple has avoided reverse wireless charging for so long. The company felt MagSafe was more important than being able to (slowly) recharge other devices wirelessly.
Of course, it’s always possible that the magnets themselves interfere with reverse wireless charging itself, and mean it wouldn’t work as well — or even at all. We know that internal magnets can be a problem, since Samsung admitted it left out the Qi2 magnetic ring because it interfered with the digitizer layer in the display. Without that layer, the S Pen stylus wouldn’t work.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
9to5Mac speculates that reverse wireless charging wouldn’t work without some kind of MagSafe-compatible device. I have my doubts about that assessment, since MagSafe and Qi are both backwards compatible. So long as the charging coils can align correctly, nothing is stopping a wireless charging connection from initiating.
We had hoped that Apple had overcome whatever limitations were in place, whether they were physical or technical. But apparently that isn’t the case, assuming Apple ever actually intended to try and bring reverse wireless charging to iPhones in the first place.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom’s Guide
This disappointing iPhone 18 rumor may make you want to cave and buy iPhone 17
iOS 26 arrives today — and these are the 3 features I’m most excited about
iOS 26 launches today, and here’s all the iPhones that do (and don’t) make the cut
Check Amazon
See more Phones News
Tom Pritchard
Social Links Navigation
UK Phones Editor
Tom is the Tom’s Guide’s UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It’s long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Pixelsnap is the Pixel 10 upgrade everyone should be the most excited about — here’s why
Google Pixel 10 tipped for Qi2 magnetic charging — what we know
I just tried the Pixelsnap Qi2 charging stand for the Pixel 10 — and it’s a major disappointment
I’m going to be extremely upset if the Pixel 10 doesn’t launch with this accessory — here’s why
iPhone 17’s wireless charging upgrade is actually good news for Android phones — here’s how
Leaked Google Pixel 10 cases seemingly confirm Qi2 is coming — why that matters
Latest in iPhones
iOS 26 arrives today — and these are the 3 features I’m most excited about
This disappointing iPhone 18 rumor may make you want to cave and buy iPhone 17
iOS 26 arrives today — here are the 5 things you need to do to prepare
Not a typo! Score a free iPhone 17 Pro in this epic T-Mobile deal
I tried out iPhone 17 Dual Capture — here’s what it can and can’t do
Apple stops selling 30W chargers but you can buy these instead
Latest in News
iPhone 17 Pro is missing this big rumored feature — and now I think we know why
This one insect is endangering the honeybee pollination — what to do if you spot one
Netflix just added a new Liam Neeson action-thriller movie — but it’s no ‘Taken’
Netflix just added this guilty pleasure drama with 91% on Rotten Tomatoes — binge all six seasons of ‘Nashville’ now
Gardeners urged to leave two fruits in the yard this fall, and it’s not as strange as it sounds
Now would be the worst time to buy a new iPad, and here’s why
LATEST ARTICLES
iOS 26 arrives today — and these are the 3 features I’m most excited about
Netflix just added a new Liam Neeson action-thriller movie — but it’s no ‘Taken’
Streaming quality: Everything you need to know about your favorite music streamer
Gardeners urged to leave two fruits in the yard this fall, and it’s not as strange as it sounds
I’ve been testing the new Breville Oracle Dual Boiler — here’s 3 things I like and 1 thing I don’t
Tom’s Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Accessibility Statement
Advertise with us
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
