Wireless charging, attaching your phone to a selfie stick , or easily attaching it to a magnetic car mount. Apple's MagSafe technology has been making life easier for iPhone users for years. But did you know that you can also use it if you own an Android phone? We'll tell you how.
Although Android devices don't have MagSafe built-in, even the most "smart" users can enjoy the benefits of this technology. Just use one of the gadgets.
What is MagSafe and why don't Android phones have it?
MagSafe is a wireless charging and magnetic connection standard created by Apple. It allows you to charge your smartphone or headphones without using a cable, but also easily connect accessories to your phone using a magnet - from power banks to phone holders to wallets.
Because it's an Apple technology standard, you won't find MagSafe in any phones other than iPhones. But... it's based on a technology called Qi , which is supported by many other brands of smartphones . And Qi is the reason why Android users can take advantage of MagSafe-compatible chargers and holders under certain conditions.
The Qi standard is supported by mobile phones from Samsung (including Samsung Galaxy models), Xiaomi , and Huawei .
Want to know what goes on behind the scenes behind MagSafe technology or what its advantages are over other wireless charging standards? Read a separate article on this topic: What you always wondered about MagSafe but were afraid to ask .
Look for the magnetic wheel behind everything.
So Android phones don't have MagSafe per se, but if you add one little thing , they can use the same accessories as iPhones without any problems.
That little thing is a magnetic sticker (magnetic wheel) . When you stick it on your phone's cover, your device becomes magnetic and you can use it with any MagSafe compatible chargers, holders, power banks, and other accessories.
The second option is to go for a phone case with a built-in magnetic wheel . The arrangement of the magnets in these cases is adapted so that you can use MagSafe compatible accessories on your Android phone without any complications. The advantage of the case is that you can easily remove it at any time, while the magnetic wheel is glued to the phone - once you peel it off, it cannot be used repeatedly.
In order for the MagSafe standard to work properly with the "most unbranded" devices, it is necessary to observe the so-called Perfect Alignment - that is, to place the magnetic wheel in the right place in the center of the phone so that it aligns with the coils for wireless charging. With cases from FIXED, compatible with MagSafe technology , you don't have to worry about anything - the wheel is placed on them with millimetre precision.
Why use MagSafe with Android phones?
One key question arises: is it worth using MagSafe compatible accessories on an Android phone when the aforementioned Qi technology also enables wireless charging? The answer is: yes, for several reasons.
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You can use accessories that support MagSafe - on the market and in our offer you will find many gadgets that make everyday life easier, which support the MagSafe standard. In addition to wireless chargers (including 3-in-1 chargers ), these are car mounts , selfie sticks or power banks, such as the FIXED MagZen 10 Pro . This way you will enjoy the same products as iPhone owners.
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Magnetic attachment of accessories – while basic Qi technology only offers wireless charging, MagSafe also boasts magnetic properties, making their use much easier, thanks to the magnets.
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Perfect placement for wireless charging – magnetic alignment helps align the phone on the charger, making wireless charging more efficient.
Thanks to the Qi2 standard, you can wirelessly charge your mobile phone at lightning speed
In 2023, a new generation of the Qi standard , Qi2 , was released . It can achieve a charging power of 15W, even in combination with MagSafe-supporting chargers. In addition, unlike regular Qi, it boasts the ability to attach accessories using magnets, which was previously only offered by MagSafe technology.
By the way, Apple also played a significant role in the development of Qi2, as it currently offers the most phone models supporting this technology.
What about Android smartphone brands? The Skyline from HMD has been the only one to support Qi2, but that is set to change this year. For example, Samsung has promised that its new Galaxy models this year will be Qi2-ready. But this is only partially true: although the phone will support 15W charging, it does not have built-in magnets for attachment.
Google also has plans to soon integrate the next generation of this technology into its mobile phones.
Not sure what to choose? We'll be happy to help you.
If you have any questions about FIXED's MagSafe-enabled accessories , or the technology itself, feel free to write to us in the chat here on the website. We'll be happy to help you.