MagSafe is now a universal name that Apple uses for both iPhone and Mac charging. There are MagSafe charging pucks for the ‌iPhone‌, and MagSafe 3 charging ports and cables for Apple's Macs. The two MagSafe capabilities aren't related, but Apple is using the same MagSafe terminology for all of its latest charging technology.

magsafe chargers

MagSafe for Mac

Apple reintroduced MagSafe for the Mac with the launch of the 2021 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, and we can expect to see MagSafe roll out across the Mac lineup.

16 inch magsafe 3
MagSafe for Mac is not a new technology, and it was previously used starting in 2012. MagSafe, as the name suggests, uses magnets to connect a charger to a charging port on the Mac, with the idea that if a MagSafe cable is pulled, it disconnects safely without pulling the MacBook down from wherever it might be resting.

Apple swapped from MagSafe to USB-C in 2016, but at this point, the Mac's power needs have exceeded what's possible with USB-C, so Apple needed another solution, and that solution was a return to MagSafe charging.

How MagSafe for Mac Works

The new iteration of MagSafe for Mac is officially known as MagSafe 3, and it works exactly like the previous MagSafe implementation. There's a small rectangular magnet-topped charging connector that fits into the five-pin charging slot, with the magnets securing the fit.

macbook pro magsafe 3 charging
There's a USB-C port at the other end of the charging cable that is meant to plug into a power adapter to power the Mac.

Maximum Charging Power

Apple transitioned to MagSafe largely for the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, which is now able to charge at up to 140W, a charging speed not supported by USB-C cables.

When a MagSafe to USB-C cable is paired with the 140W USB-C Power Adapter that comes with the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, the ‌MacBook Pro‌ can be charged at up to 140W, and it powers up quicker than it would with a USB-C based charging solution limited to 100W. 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models can still be charged with USB-C cables, but not at the full 140W.

It's only 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models that max out at 140W, but the 14-inch machines also use MagSafe charging for cohesiveness. The lower-end 14-inch machines ship with a 67W power adapter but can take advantage of a 96W power adapter, while the higher-end 14-inch machines ship with the 96W adapter.

Availability

MagSafe 3 charging capabilities are available for the 14 and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models introduced in 2021 and the 2022 MacBook Air. The MagSafe 3 charging cables are not compatible with any other Macs, including older Macs that used MagSafe 2.

MagSafe for iPhone

Apple also has MagSafe technology for the ‌iPhone‌, but it works differently. Rather than magnets built into a specific charging area, Apple added a ring of magnets around the Qi-based wireless charging coils, which allows for a close fit and faster charging speeds. ‌iPhone‌ 12 and later models use the magnet ring to connect to accessories that also have magnets built inside, so it's not limited to just charging technology.

iphone12magsafe
Cases are the same way, snapping onto the magnet ring built into the ‌iPhone‌. The design of the magnet ring allows the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and later to be compatible with a whole range of accessories that rely on magnets, from chargers to mounts to cases.

The Magnet Ring in iPhones

‌iPhone‌ 12, ‌iPhone‌ 13, and iPhone 14 models have a ring of 18 rectangular magnets arranged in a circular shape located underneath the wireless charging coil in each device, which is what allows the MagSafe magic to happen.

magsafeinternals

Image via iFixit

Older iPhones had the same wireless charging coil, but no magnets underneath to allow for magnetic connections.

Apple's MagSafe Charger

The MagSafe Charger looks something like a larger Apple Watch Charging Puck with an aluminum body and a soft white material at the top of the charger. The charger snaps onto an ‌iPhone‌ with magnets inside, perfectly aligning the charging coil in the MagSafe Charger with the charging coil in the ‌iPhone‌.

lolagEJ1Mkqfld1m

Image via iFixit

Repair site iFixit took apart a MagSafe Charger and did an x-ray to show us the charger’s internal design. As with the ‌iPhone‌, there are a series of magnets inside that are compatible with the magnets in the ‌iPhone‌ that surround an internal charging coil and a circuit board that manages the charging process.

Apple has also designed the MagSafe Duo Charger, which combines a MagSafe charger with an Apple Watch charging puck. The charger is foldable, making it ideal for travel, and costs $129.

magsafe duo charger

The MagSafe Duo Charger is not able to charge a MagSafe ‌iPhone‌ at the full 15W. With Apple's 20W charger, the MagSafe Duo chargers at a maximum of 11W, and with a 27W or higher USB-C power adapter, it charges at up to 14W. The MagSafe Duo does not come with a power adapter and a charger must be purchased separately. Note that the 29W charger from Apple is not compatible, but the 30W version is.

12W Charging iPhone 12 and 13 mini

For most of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models, the MagSafe charger is able to charge at a maximum of 15W, but for the smallest ‌iPhone‌, the iPhone 12 mini, charging maxes out at 12W. The same goes for the MagSafe Duo. Charging speeds can also be affected by the temperature of the ‌iPhone‌.

Getting 15W Charging Speeds

Achieving 15W (or 12W on ‌iPhone‌ 12/13 mini) charging speeds requires Apple's 20W power adapter or another appropriate 20W+ PD 3.0 charger. Testing with Apple’s prior-generation 18W iPad charger and a 96W ‌MacBook Pro‌ charger proved that those power adapters do not allow the MagSafe Charger to reach the full 15 watts.

usbcpoweradapter20w
The same goes for many existing third-party power adapters, which also do not have the proper charging profile. New chargers from third-party companies may, however, include support for the MagSafe Charger, and testing indicates that to provide the 15W charging speed, a MagSafe Charger needs to support Power Delivery 3.0 at 9V/2.22A or 9V/2.56A, according to Apple. The ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ and ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini can hit maximum charging speeds with a 9V/2.03A power adapter.

You're guaranteed to get 15W with Apple’s $19 20W power adapter (this power adapter also comes with the 2020 iPad Air models), but you may also be able to use a third-party charger as long as it meets those specifications.

MagSafe Charging vs. Traditional Charging

With the MagSafe Charger, it takes about an hour to charge an ‌iPhone‌ 12 from zero to 50 percent, which is double the time that it takes to charge using a USB-C to Lightning cable and a 20W+ USB-C power adapter.


Charging with the MagSafe Charger is faster than charging with a Qi-based charger, which maxes out at 7.5W, but for the fastest charging you’re still going to want to use a wired charging connection with a Lightning to USB-C cable.

When the ‌iPhone‌ is warm, charging speeds can be throttled down, and Apple warns that if the ‌iPhone‌ gets too warm, charging will be limited above 80 percent. Apple recommends moving your ‌iPhone‌ and charger to a cooler location if it feels overly warm.

Charging Speeds With Lightning Accessories

When Lightning-based accessories like EarPods are connected to an ‌iPhone‌ 12 or later, charging with MagSafe is limited to 7.5W, which is something to be aware of.

Using the MagSafe Charger With Older iPhones

Using the MagSafe Charger with older iPhones is possible, but not recommended because charging is slower than with the 7.5W Qi-based chargers. Charging appears to be capped at right around 5W with the MagSafe Charger when paired with older devices, and in testing, the MagSafe charger has proven to be slower than using a plain old Qi charger.

magsafe2

MagSafe vs. USB-C

Testing suggests the MagSafe Charger charges a compatible ‌iPhone‌ less than half as fast than a wired 20W USB-C charger. With the 20W charger, a dead ‌iPhone‌ was able to charge to 50 percent in 28 minutes, and the same 50 percent charge took an hour over MagSafe.

lightning usb c

MagSafe Cases and Accessories

Apple has designed cases, wallet attachments, and a MagSafe Charger to use with the MagSafe iPhones, and third-party case and accessory makers are also creating MagSafe-compatible products. We have a guide highlighting some of the available MagSafe accessories that you can purchase.

iphone12promagsafe

MagSafe Don'ts

  • Avoid putting single use cards like hotel cards against the magnet in the ‌iPhone‌ or the MagSafe Charger
  • Don’t put credit cards, security badges, passports, or key fobs between the ‌iPhone‌ and MagSafe Charger because magnetic strips and RFID chips can be damaged
  • Don’t charge with the MagSafe Wallet attachment on the ‌iPhone‌ (cases can remain on)

MagSafe Charger Warnings

When using the MagSafe Charger, Apple warns that it can leave an imprint on the Leather Cases designed for MagSafe iPhones, which is something to be aware of. It can also leave a mark on Silicone cases based on reports from MacRumors readers, and it’s possible that this will affect third-party cases made from soft materials as well.

Apple recommends that those worried about the ring that can be caused by MagSafe choose Silicone or Clear cases instead of the Leather versions.

magsafe damage leather case

iPhone MagSafe and Pacemakers

Like all iPhones, the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and 13 models with their MagSafe technology can cause interference with medical devices like pacemakers and defibrillators. Apple recommends keeping ‌iPhone‌ 12 models and all MagSafe accessories a safe distance away from implanted medical devices.

A safe distance is considered more than 6 inches / 15 cm apart or more than 12 inches / 30 cm apart if wirelessly charging. Though there are more magnets in the ‌iPhone‌ 12/13/14 models, Apple says that they are "not expected to pose a greater risk of magnetic interference to medical devices than prior ‌iPhone‌ models."

Guide Feedback

Have questions about MagSafe for ‌iPhone‌ and Mac or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Related Articles

iPhone 16 Pro Front Update Blue

iPhone 16 Pro Rumored to Support 40W Fast Charging and 20W MagSafe

Wednesday July 10, 2024 3:57 am PDT by
Apple's forthcoming iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will support 40W wired fast charging and 20W MagSafe charging, claims a rumor currently swirling around China. Right now, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models are capable of up to 27W peak charging speeds with an appropriate USB-C power adapter, while official MagSafe chargers from Apple and authorized third parties can wirelessly charge...
iphone 16 magsafe blue molds

iPhone 16 Lineup Could Feature Slimmer MagSafe Components

Friday May 3, 2024 8:33 am PDT by
This year's iPhone 16 lineup could see a slight change to the MagSafe alignment magnets compared to previous generations, according to images shared by French case company ShopSystem [Google Translate]. Casemaking molds for the iPhone 16 lineup appear to show a thinner design for the attachment ring magnets and for the single alignment magnet, relative to equivalent molds for the iPhone 15...
magsafe charger original prototype

MagSafe Charger Prototype Reveals Abandoned 2010s Design

Wednesday January 10, 2024 4:09 am PST by
Images purporting to reveal the original version of Apple's MagSafe charger today surfaced online, providing a look at how the company conceived of the accessory over two and a half years before its release. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show the original version of the MagSafe charger that Apple considered launching. The...
magsafe blue 2

First Qi2 Wireless Chargers Coming Soon

Wednesday November 15, 2023 8:27 am PST by
The first wireless chargers that support the new Qi2 charging standard are set to launch in time for the holiday season, according to an announcement shared today by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Announced earlier this year, Qi2 is a next-generation Qi charging technology that incorporates a Magnetic Power Profile. Qi2 devices will work like Apple's MagSafe feature, using magnets for...
MacBook Pro Space Black Topdown Feature

Apple's USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable Now Available to Order in Space Black

Monday October 30, 2023 5:54 pm PDT by
The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models announced today are available in a new Space Black finish when configured with M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. Accordingly, Apple has released its USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable in Space Black for $49. Apple already includes a color-matched MagSafe 3 charging cable in the box with the new MacBook Pro models, but the cable can be ordered individually from...
magsafe battery pack feature

Will the MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo Charger Ever Return With USB-C Ports?

Sunday September 17, 2023 6:28 am PDT by
Apple quietly discontinued the MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo Charger immediately after unveiling four new iPhone 15 models with a USB-C port last week. Both accessories were equipped with a Lightning connector. Apple has not commented on why the MagSafe accessories were removed from sale, but the move was not surprising given the company is transitioning away from Lightning. The big...
magsafe purple

Apple Discontinues MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo Charger

Tuesday September 12, 2023 1:31 pm PDT by
Apple today discontinued the MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo Charger immediately following its iPhone 15 event. Both accessories are no longer available to order on Apple's online store, with the product listings completely removed. Both the MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo Charger were equipped with a Lightning port, so it is not too surprising that they were discontinued after...
Mophie Qi2 accessories

Mophie Unveils Qi2 Accessories With 15W Charging Ahead of iPhone 15

Friday September 1, 2023 9:20 am PDT by
Following Anker and Belkin, accessory maker Mophie today announced its upcoming lineup of products that will support the Qi2 wireless charging standard. The accessories will include a 5,000 mAh magnetic battery pack with an aluminum kickstand for $69.95, a 3-in-1 charging stand for an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch for $129.95, and two car vent mounts for an iPhone for $29.95 and $69.95....
esr 6 in 1 station 1

ESR's Upcoming 100W 6-in-1 Charging Station Supports MagSafe, Apple Watch, AirPods, and USB

Tuesday July 18, 2023 4:36 am PDT by
Accessory company ESR has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its upcoming 100W 6-in-1 Charging Station, which supports an array of devices across Apple's ecosystem. Like many triple device chargers, the 6-in-1 Charging Station includes a MagSafe charging surface for an iPhone, an officially certified Apple Watch charger, and a spot for charging AirPods, but it also includes two USB-C ports...
magsafe blue 2

iOS 17 Beta Code References New MagSafe Battery Pack and Charger

Wednesday June 7, 2023 6:01 am PDT by
The first developer beta of iOS 17 includes code-level references to a new MagSafe Battery Pack with model number A2781, and a new MagSafe Charger with model number A3088, according to tech enthusiast @aaronp613. No further details are known about the accessories at this time. Last year, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the MagSafe Battery Pack would be updated with a USB-C...
magsafe charger color options

Apple Planned to Offer MagSafe Charger in Range of Eight Color Options

Tuesday May 30, 2023 8:58 am PDT by
Apple planned to offer the MagSafe Charger in eight different color options around 2020, the prototype collector known as "Kosutami" claims. MacRumors is told that Apple prototyped the MagSafe Charger in Space Gray, Starlight, Green, Pink, Purple, Yellow, Blue, and (PRODUCT)RED color options. The Yellow, Blue, and (PRODUCT)RED variants, in particular, were apparently highly saturated, deep...
magsafe color prototype

Apple Prototyped MagSafe iPhone Chargers in Different Colors, Including Unreleased 'Magic Charger' Stand

Monday May 29, 2023 3:13 am PDT by
Apple has prototyped at least one colored version of its MagSafe Charger for iPhone, suggesting the company could potentially one day release a new version of the device in additional color options beyond the standard silver model. That's the claim made by Twitter account @KosutamiSan. According to the collector of rare Apple products, prototype information they obtained indicates that Apple ...
magsafe blue 2

iPhone 15 to Support 15W Wireless Fast Charging Using Third-Party Chargers That Aren't MagSafe Certified

Wednesday May 24, 2023 3:46 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 models will support 15W wireless fast charging even when using third-party chargers that are not MagSafe certified, claims a new rumor coming out of China. Apple's official MagSafe magnetic wireless charger or a third-party magnetic charger with official MFM (Made for MagSafe) certification are required to achieve 15W wireless fast charging on the iPhone 12, iPhone ...
magsafe charger orange

Apple Releases Updated MagSafe Charger Firmware

Tuesday May 2, 2023 12:05 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the MagSafe Charger that is compatible with the iPhone 12 and later and the latest AirPods and Apple Watch models. The updated firmware is version 10M3761, up from the prior 10M1821 firmware. In the Settings app, you'll see a different version number than the firmware number, with the update displayed as version 258.0.0 (the prior firmware was...
magsafe duo perspective feature

Apple Releases New MagSafe Duo Firmware

Tuesday February 7, 2023 11:41 am PST by
Apple today released updated firmware for the MagSafe Duo charger that is designed to work with the Apple Watch and MagSafe-compatible iPhone models. The new firmware is version 10M3063, but in the settings app, you'll see a 256.1067.0 version number, up from 186.0.0.0. The MagSafe Duo was first released in 2020 alongside the iPhone 12 models, and it has not had a firmware update before....
ottergrip cases 1

CES 2023: OtterBox Debuts iPhone Case With Built-In Grip and MagSafe Support

Tuesday January 3, 2023 1:22 pm PST by
OtterBox today announced the upcoming launch of OtterGrip Symmetry Series cases, which offer both MagSafe compatibility and an included grip that doesn't need to be removed for charging. The OtterGrip cases have an integrated grip that is designed to sit flush with the back of the case when not in use, which allows the case to work with MagSafe charging accessories. With many grip cases and...
magsafe charger blue

Next-Generation Qi2 Wireless Charging Standard Embraces Apple's MagSafe for Universal Compatibility

Tuesday January 3, 2023 9:53 am PST by
Next-generation Qi charging technology will incorporate Apple's MagSafe magnetic charging functionality, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced today. Qi2 is a new unified wireless charging standard that is built on MagSafe charging technology supplied by Apple. Qi2 incorporates a Magnetic Power Profile, which means that devices that adopt Qi2 in the future will use the same MagSafe...
unreleased apple magic charger

Images of Unreleased 'Apple Magic Charger' Surface Online

Tuesday November 15, 2022 7:27 am PST by
Images of an unreleased Apple MagSafe charging accessory called the "Apple Magic Charger" have surfaced online over the past couple of weeks. Image via @TheBlueMister Rare Apple product collector and Twitter user "TheBlueMister" first shared images of the unreleased accessory earlier this month. Since then, other collectors based in Asia seem to have got their hands on Design Validation Test...
MagSafe 3 Cable Midnight Feature fr

MagSafe 3 Charging Cable Now Available in New Colors Matching MacBook Air

Friday July 8, 2022 4:59 am PDT by
Apple today made its USB-C to MagSafe 3 charging cable available to purchase separately in three new colors matching the MacBook Air, including space gray, midnight, and starlight, with pricing set at $49. Until now, the cable was only sold in silver. Apple already includes a color-matched MagSafe 3 charging cable in the box with the new MacBook Air, but now the cable can be ordered...
magsafe 3 cable macbook air and pro

Apple Lists MagSafe Cable in Four Colors for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro for $49

Monday June 6, 2022 12:50 pm PDT by
Apple today announced that color-matching USB-C to MagSafe 3 charging cables for the new MacBook Air will be available to purchase separately. The cables are listed as "coming soon" on Apple's online store, with pricing set at $49 each in the United States. The cable will be available in the same color options as the new MacBook Air, including Space Gray, Silver, Midnight, and Starlight. The ...