Does Magnetic Charging Work Through A Phone Case?

Picture this scenario; you’ve just bought a phone case and are looking forward to attaching it, when a slight doubt rises in your mind. Will your stylish new accessory block your phone from charging? You no longer own any wired chargers and have been relying on magnetic charging for months. And while that case has an eye-catching design, it’s thicker than your previous one. Maybe you should revisit your favorite shop and pick up a cable too?

Allow us to put your mind to rest: in the majority of scenarios, you’ll have no trouble. Phone cases should have no impact on magnetic charging. 

Feel better? Well, don’t go anywhere just yet, there is more to it than that. Here at Ghostek, we’ve explored this question ourselves and discovered a few nuances in the answer. Read on and discover everything you need to know about phone cases and magnetic charging. 

Explaining Magnetic Alignment: How Wireless Charging Works

If you’re not familiar with the term, magnetic charging is a method of refilling your phone battery without having to use a cable. We’ve seen it called ‘portable’ or ‘wireless’ charging, but ‘magnetic’ is the official name. 

It works through a magnetic connection between the phone and the charger. All mobile phones and charging mats have magnets embedded around their charging coils. Place a phone on a wireless charging pad, the magnets will bring them into alignment, and an alternating current passes through the receiver coil. 

It’s an efficient way of transferring energy into the battery and a genuinely clever innovation. It almost feels futuristic, and like something you’d see on a science fiction program. All the major technology companies support wireless charging and inevitably, this raises a few questions. 

Do Phone Cases Block Wireless Charging?

For the most part, no. The majority of phone cases will present no problem, regardless of make or model. Whether you prefer Samsung, Google, Apple, or some other provider, they should work fine. 

However, they don’t all work as efficiently as one another. The thickness of the case and materials used to make it will influence the charging efficiency. 

Thick Cases Or Thin Cases

It’s good news for fans of thin cases. If your favorite accessory is 3mm thick (or slimmer), it’ll have no noticeable impact on charging speed. On the other hand, the more rugged cases, especially those over 5mm thick, can slow the energy transfer. Your wireless charging pad should still work with a thick case, but you’ll get less efficient power transfer. 

Which Materials Are Best For Effective Wireless Charging?

The most commonly-used materials for phone cases are:

• Silicone

• Leather

• Plastic

• Aluminum

Silicone, leather, and plastic phone cases are mainly used for thinner cases and won’t affect wireless charging. But thicker cases are usually made with metal and these can negatively affect the charging rate. In rare circumstances, they might block it altogether. The industry is responding though, and some metal cases have already been adapted to support wireless charging. 

Choosing A Compatible Case

So, if you prefer magnetic charging there’s a reasonably high chance that your case won’t get in the way. But if you want to be certain, and would rather avoid having to return a new accessory, the best bet is to seek out a MagSafe case. 

‘MagSafe’ tends to be used as a catch-all term for cases that are compatible with wireless chargers, but if you’ll forgive a little pedantry, they’re an Apple product. These cases have magnets embedded within them and align perfectly with the charging mat. Rather than impede wireless charging, MagSafe makes it more reliable. 

MagSafe cases were introduced in 2020 specifically to protect devices without any negative impact on magnetic charging. They were originally developed for Apple MacBooks, then were quickly adapted for iPhone use as well. 

Can You Get MagSafe Cases For Samsung Or Google Phones?

That’s Apple sorted, but what about their competitors? Not everybody owns an iPhone, so are there any options for Samsung or Google smartphone users? 

Well fear not, because the technology has spread. You can now find unofficial MagSafe cases for devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 or Google Pixel 10. They aren’t as widespread as the iPhone variants yet, but the Genie is out of the bottle and we can’t imagine it’ll be long before Apple’s two biggest alternatives catch up. 

MagSafe Cases: Battery Life, Excess Heat, And Wireless Charging Speeds

Whilst we’re on the subject, let’s take a moment to bust a few myths about MagSafe chargers. Here's what you should know about the wireless charging process:

• Magnetic charging does not affect battery life: contrary to what you may have seen in a few places online, there is no evidence that magnetic charging negatively impacts battery life. 

• It is slower than wired charging, but not drastically: MagSafe charging typically runs at about 12-15W, whereas wired charging usually exceeds 20W. This means that MagSafe isn’t as quick as today’s fast chargers, but it usually takes only about two hours. Only a few years ago, that was par for the course. 

• Magnetic charging is not dangerously hot: it is true that wireless chargers produce more heat, but the claim that they’re dangerous isn’t accurate. Modern MagSafe wireless chargers have in-built heat sinks and some even have sophisticated smart temperature controls, and reduce the transfer levels if things get too hot. 

In short, while there are a few drawbacks, you can charge wirelessly without any significant worries. The claims about excessive heat are overblown, and the slower charging is at best, a minor inconvenience. It doesn’t affect battery life and ultimately, most wireless chargers are only a fraction behind their wired alternatives. 

Follow Ghostek For Phone News And MagSafe Accessories

If you’re interested in exploring the wireless charging capability of your phone, the best bet is to dive right in. We have an extensive range of MagSafe cases and wireless charging stations available, so why not explore our accessories and see what you find?

You can also check back in with Ghostek for all the latest smartphone news. We’re dedicated tech enthusiasts here and regularly report on industry developments. Bookmark Ghostek today and you’ll stay on top of all the phone gossip and advice you could ever need.