There’s nothing wrong with a bit of telephone envy. But if you’re an Android user, there’s no reason to be jealous of the iPhone’s MagSafe capabilities. You can add MagSafe to any Android phone — it’s a quick and easy task, and it opens the door to hundreds of useful magnetic accessories.
Note: The upcoming Qi2 charging standard, which will debut in late 2023, is based on Apple’s MagSafe. Therefore, future Qi2-certified Android phones should work with MagSafe accessories.
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How does MagSafe work?
The MagSafe standard is an extension of Qi wireless charging technology. And the idea is pretty simple; Apple basically glued a ring of magnets around the iPhone’s wireless charging coil. These magnets can stick to MagSafe chargers and accessories that also contain a circle of magnetic material.
What’s the point of all these magnets? Well, MagSafe makes sure your phone and wireless charger are perfectly matched. Apple and WPC say this perfect alignment increases wireless charging efficiency. In other words, less power is wasted and you always get the fastest charging speed possible.
Of course, MagSafe isn’t just a charging standard. You can buy a MagSafe wallet and stick it on the back of your phone, for example, or put your phone on a handy MagSafe mount while driving.
Luckily, Android users can enjoy the benefits of MagSafe. All you need is a MagSafe adapter, which can come in the form of a protective sleeve or an adhesive ring. (By the way, this accessory doesn’t add wireless charging to your phone.)
The best option: A MagSafe-compatible case
If you own a relatively new Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy phone, I highly recommend getting a case that supports MagSafe. Cases from companies like Peak Design and Moment are designed for magnetic charging and magnetic accessories. They ensure you get a strong, reliable, and properly aligned connection with all MagSafe products.
Well, I have a liking for the Peak Design cases. Peak Design cases not only support MagSafe, but also work with Peak Design’s excellent mounting system. Peak Design sells tripods, bike mounts, and other great accessories for these cases, and the addition of MagSafe is just the icing on the cake.
But if you want something a little prettier (or better for photography), Moment’s (M)Force cases might be the right choice. They’re simple, robust, and support MagSafe. They also work with a range of Moment photo accessories, but unfortunately the selection of (M)Force cases is quite small.
Note that Peak Design and Moment also sell universal MagSafe adapters for Android phones. These adapters cling to your existing phone case, so installation may take a little guesswork.
Super cheap: Glue on a magnetic ring
If you can’t use a MagSafe case with your Android phone, you can always try an adhesive adapter. Both Peak Design and Moment sell such adapters, but there are plenty of simple alternatives, like the affordable and slim Mophie Snap.
But these sticky solutions can be a bit annoying. You must align them with your phone’s wireless charging coil, otherwise you will have problems when using wireless chargers. (Orientation doesn’t matter, of course, if you don’t care about wireless charging.)
And in my experience, metal rings like the Mophie Snap can be a bit uncomfortable. They’re thick enough to be noticeable, and their self-adhesive backing can be a magnet for lint, dust, and dirt. For this reason, a MagSafe case is usually ideal.
That said, if you don’t mind fiddling around with a MagSafe adhesive adapter, it’s worth the effort. It gives you the MagSafe experience you’re looking for.
Future Android phones will have MagSafe, Sorta
Your next Android phone might have MagSafe built in. Well, not MagSafe, but the new Qi2 wireless charging standard. Announced at CES 2023, the Qi2 platform builds on MagSafe and makes magnetism a central part of the wireless charging experience.
According to the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), MagSafe ensures a perfect match between phones and wireless chargers. This increases charging efficiency, thereby opening the door to an increase in charging speed. (Unfortunately, the WPC did not share the maximum charging speed for Qi2 devices.)
And like MagSafe, the Qi2 standard isn’t just for charging. It will support a variety of accessories similar to the MagSafe accessories currently available for the iPhone.
If you’re a patient person, consider skipping the MagSafe adapters for now. You will eventually own an Android phone that supports MagSafe out of the box.
