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01Start at the wall, not the puck
If your MagSafe charger is not working, check the power adapter before anything else. A MagSafe puck can only pass along what the brick behind it supplies, and an old 5W cube or a laptop port often isn't enough to start a proper charge.
Apple's MagSafe Charger negotiates power with the adapter when you plug it in. Too little power and it either charges very slowly, stops and starts, or does nothing at all. This catches out a lot of people who move the charger from the box it came with to a hotel USB port or the back of a monitor.
| What's feeding the charger | What to expect | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C adapter, 30W or more | Full speed, including 25W on iPhones that support it | Best |
| USB-C adapter, 20W | Up to 15W on iPhone 12 and later with magnets | Fine for most |
| USB-C adapter under 20W | Slow charging, may stop when the screen is on | Upgrade |
| Laptop or monitor USB-C port | Varies a lot by port; often slow | Test with a wall adapter |
| Old USB-A cube with an adapter dongle | Often too little power to start | Don't bother |
Multi-port chargers deserve a special mention. Many split their power as soon as you plug in a second device, so a 65W brick charging a laptop might hand the MagSafe port far less than 20W. If charging slows when you plug in something else, that's why. Check the label next to each port: it usually lists what that port delivers when others are in use.
02Seven fixes, in the order to try them
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Swap to a known-good USB-C adapter
Use a 20W or higher USB-C power adapter plugged straight into the wall. Not a power strip with a USB port, not a laptop. If the charger springs to life, you're done.
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Plug in the charger, then the phone
Connect the MagSafe charger to power first, wait a few seconds, then attach your iPhone. If the phone was already on the puck when the power came on, lift it off, wait three seconds and snap it back so it can negotiate full speed.
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Check the case
A case without magnets puts distance between the coils and weakens the hold, so the puck slips and charging cuts out. Thick rugged cases and anything with a metal plate are worse. Try it bare. If it works, the fix is a MagSafe-compatible case with a built-in magnet ring.
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Clear the back
Pull off magnetic wallets, ring grips, stickers and cards. Apple warns that cards, badges, passports and key fobs placed between the iPhone and a MagSafe charger can be damaged, and they block charging anyway.
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Inspect the cable and plug end
The MagSafe cable is built into the puck, so you can't swap it. Look for a kink near the puck, a bent USB-C plug or a loose fit in the adapter. Gently clean the plug end with a dry brush if it's dusty. A damaged cable means replacing the charger.
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Cool everything down
Heat makes iOS slow or pause charging, and a hot puck can look like a broken one. Take the phone off for 10 to 15 minutes, out of the sun and out of its case. More on that in our overheating while charging guide.
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Restart and update iOS
Restart the iPhone, then check Settings > General > Software Update. Apple delivers MagSafe Charger firmware through the connected iPhone, so a current iOS version is the only update step you can take yourself.
A MagSafe charger shows an on-screen animation when it connects. No animation and no bolt in the status bar usually means no power reaching the puck, which sends you back to step 1.
03Specific symptoms and what they mean
It charges, but slowly
Expect up to 15W on iPhone 12 to 15 with a 20W adapter, and up to 25W on newer supported models with a 30W adapter. The mini models top out lower. If you're getting far less, the adapter, a heavy case or heat is pulling it down. A basic Qi pad that isn't magnetic charges iPhones at 7.5W, so swapping to one will feel slow by comparison. The details by model are in how fast is MagSafe charging.
It won't snap on or keeps sliding off
Your iPhone may not have magnets. MagSafe magnets arrived with the iPhone 12, and the iPhone 16e skipped them. Older models and the 16e will charge on a MagSafe charger only if you hold them dead center, which isn't practical. Check which iPhones have MagSafe before buying anything.
"Accessory may not be supported" message
That alert usually points to the cable or adapter rather than the puck. Try a different adapter and reseat the USB-C plug. Our accessory not supported guide covers the other causes.
It stops at 80%
Not the charger. Either the battery is warm, or a charge limit or Optimized Battery Charging is holding it there on purpose. See why your iPhone stops at 80%.
04Is the MagSafe charger dead?
Before you buy a replacement, rule out the phone. If your iPhone also refuses to charge on a different wireless charger, the issue is on the phone side, and our iPhone not charging wirelessly guide picks up from there.
Tick four or more and it's time to replace it. If it's an Apple charger still under warranty, contact Apple first. If it's a cheap unbranded puck, look for Qi2 certification on the replacement so you know it'll charge at the speed on the box.
05Replacing it: Apple, Qi2 or a basic magnetic charger
Apple MagSafe Charger
- Up to 25W on supported iPhones with a 30W adapter
- Adapter sold separately
- Single device only
Qi2 magnetic charger
- 15W on iPhone 12 and later with magnets
- Qi2 25W models can match newer MagSafe speeds
- Works with magnetic Android phones too
3-in-1 magnetic station
- Phone, watch and earbuds in one spot
- Phone pad speed varies, often 15W or less
- Needs the adapter it specifies
A charger labeled "15W" that isn't Qi2 certified or Apple's own often charges iPhones at 7.5W. That's fine overnight. For daytime top-ups, the certification matters more than the number on the box. Our Qi2 vs MagSafe piece covers the difference.
Pair any magnetic charger with a USB-C adapter that has more power than it asks for.
Questions people ask
Why is my MagSafe charger not charging my iPhone?
Most often the power adapter is too weak, the iPhone was attached before the charger had power, or a case without magnets is in the way. Use a 20W or higher USB-C adapter, plug the charger in first, then attach the phone bare to test.
What wattage adapter does a MagSafe charger need?
Apple says 20W or more for up to 15W charging, and 30W or more for 25W on iPhones that support it. Lower-power adapters work, but slowly, and may not keep up while you use the phone.
Can a MagSafe charger work through a case?
Yes, through thin cases. A MagSafe-compatible case with a magnet ring is ideal because it keeps the puck locked on the coil. Thick, metal-backed or non-magnetic cases weaken the hold and can stop charging.
How do I know if my MagSafe charger is broken?
Test it with two different 20W or higher USB-C adapters and a second iPhone or AirPods case. If nothing charges, there's no animation, and the cable or plug looks damaged, the charger has likely failed.
Why does my MagSafe charger get hot?
Some warmth is normal because wireless charging loses energy as heat. A puck that gets hot quickly, especially with nothing attached or with a metal accessory nearby, should be unplugged and replaced.