When iPhone wireless charging stops working, the cause is usually one of four things:
- the charger is not getting enough power;
- the iPhone is not aligned correctly;
- a case or accessory is interfering;
- heat or hardware is interrupting charging.
Start with the charger and placement before changing iPhone settings.
1. Make Sure the Charger Has Power
Check the wireless charger first.
Confirm that:
- the charging pad is connected securely;
- the power adapter is plugged into a wall outlet;
- the charger uses the power adapter recommended by its manufacturer;
- the cable between the charger and adapter is not damaged.
If possible, test another compatible device on the same charger.
If the second device also fails, the charger, cable, or adapter is the likely problem.
2. Reposition the iPhone
Qi charging depends on the charging coils being aligned.
Place the iPhone face up near the center of the charging pad.
If charging does not begin, move it slightly and wait a few seconds.
Apple says proper alignment is required for Qi charging, and MagSafe improves alignment by using magnets.
A phone that begins charging and then stops can also be shifting out of position.
3. Remove the Case and Accessories
Remove the case and test again.
Apple specifically recommends removing thick, metal, or battery cases when wireless charging is not working or is unusually slow.
Also remove:
- magnetic wallets;
- card holders;
- metal plates;
- pop grips;
- other objects attached to the back.
Do not place credit cards, security badges, passports, or key fobs between an iPhone and a MagSafe charger.
If charging works without the case, the accessory is interfering with the wireless connection.
4. Check Whether Your iPhone Supports Wireless Charging
Apple supports Qi wireless charging on iPhone 8 and later.
MagSafe charging is available on supported newer models.
Some models can still charge on a MagSafe charger even when they do not support magnetic MagSafe attachment, but charging speed and alignment behavior differ.
If you are unsure about a specific iPhone, check Apple’s support page for that model.
5. Use a Qi-Certified, Qi2, or MagSafe Charger
Not every wireless charger performs the same way.
For the most reliable charging, use:
- a Qi-certified charger;
- a Qi2-certified charger;
- an Apple MagSafe charger or compatible MagSafe accessory.
Apple currently recommends MagSafe or Qi2 for faster wireless charging on supported iPhones.
Older Qi chargers can still work, but they may charge more slowly.
A slow charger is different from a charger that does not work at all.
6. Disconnect the Wired Charging Cable
If the iPhone is connected to a USB-C or Lightning power source at the same time, it will use the wired connection instead of wireless charging.
Disconnect the cable and test the wireless charger again.
This is normal iPhone behavior.
7. Let the iPhone Cool Down
Wireless charging can make an iPhone warmer than wired charging.
If the battery becomes too warm, iOS can slow or temporarily pause charging.
Apple says this applies to MagSafe and other wireless chargers.
Move the phone and charger to a cooler location.
Also:
- remove a heat-trapping case;
- stop gaming or streaming;
- keep the phone out of direct sunlight;
- let it cool naturally.
Charging resumes automatically when the battery returns to a safe temperature.
Do not place the phone in a refrigerator or freezer.
8. Check Whether Charging Is Only Slow
A charger can be working correctly but charging more slowly than expected.
Apple says charging speed depends on the charger and power source.
Older Qi chargers can be slower than MagSafe or Qi2.
On iOS 26, you can open:
Settings > Battery
to see an estimated time to reach 80 percent or the current charge limit.
If wireless charging works but is simply slow, the problem may be power output rather than a fault.
9. Restart the iPhone
Restart the iPhone if the charger and placement are correct but charging still does not begin.
A restart can clear a temporary charging or accessory-detection problem.
After restarting:
- remove the case;
- place the iPhone on the charger;
- wait a few seconds;
- check whether the charging icon appears.
Do not jump directly to broad reset options.
10. Update iOS
Install any pending iOS update.
Open:
Settings > General > Software Update
Updates can include fixes for charging behavior and accessory compatibility.
If the problem began immediately after an update, test another known-good wireless charger before assuming the update caused the problem.
11. Test Another Wireless Charger
This is one of the best diagnostic steps.
Use another known-good Qi, Qi2, or MagSafe charger.
The iPhone charges normally
The original charger, adapter, or cable is likely faulty.
The iPhone still does not charge
The iPhone itself becomes more likely.
Testing another charger is more useful than repeatedly changing settings.
12. Test Another iPhone on Your Charger
If possible, place another compatible iPhone on your charger.
The second iPhone also fails
Focus on:
- the charger;
- power adapter;
- cable;
- wall outlet.
The second iPhone charges normally
Focus on your iPhone.
This helps separate accessory failure from phone failure quickly.
13. Check for Physical Damage
Hardware becomes more likely when:
- several known-good chargers fail;
- wireless charging stopped after a drop;
- the back glass is badly cracked;
- the frame is bent;
- the phone was exposed to liquid;
- charging starts and stops even with correct alignment.
The wireless charging coil or related internal components may be damaged.
If the phone also has a liquid warning or charging-port problem, see Moisture Detected in Charging Port.
Do Not Reset All Settings as an Early Fix
Reset All Settings is rarely the best early step for a wireless charging problem.
It does not repair:
- a bad charger;
- misalignment;
- a thick case;
- overheating;
- physical damage.
Use it only when there is strong evidence of a broader software problem and simpler tests have failed.
MagSafe Charging Starts and Stops
If MagSafe connects but repeatedly stops charging, check:
- the power adapter;
- the cable;
- alignment;
- case compatibility;
- temperature;
- whether something is between the phone and charger.
Apple also notes that notifications can cause an iPhone to vibrate and shift on some flat charging mats, which may interrupt charging.
MagSafe alignment reduces that problem.
Wireless Charging Works With the Case Off
That strongly suggests the case is interfering.
Use a case designed for:
- Qi charging;
- Qi2;
- MagSafe, if your iPhone supports it.
Avoid cases with thick material or metal between the iPhone and charger.
Wireless Charging Is Slow but Wired Charging Is Normal
That can be normal.
Wireless charging speed depends on:
- charger standard;
- power adapter;
- iPhone model;
- alignment;
- temperature.
For broader slow-charging diagnosis, see Why Is My Phone Charging Slowly?.
When to Get the iPhone Checked
Professional inspection becomes reasonable when:
- multiple known-good wireless chargers fail;
- the phone has visible back-glass or frame damage;
- charging stopped after a drop;
- wireless charging fails even without a case;
- the phone overheats abnormally on every charger;
- wired charging works but wireless charging never starts on known-good accessories.
At that point, the wireless charging coil or internal charging hardware may need service.
The most useful troubleshooting order is simple: verify the charger has power, remove the case, align the iPhone correctly, let it cool, test another charger, and only then consider a phone-side software or hardware problem.
