Some Qi Wireless Chargers Not Working With iPhone 12 [Updated] - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Some Qi Wireless Chargers Not Working With iPhone 12 [Updated]

Some Qi-based wireless chargers don't appear to be working with the iPhone 12 models, perhaps due to the magnets inside of the new devices, alignment issues, or other internal changes to wireless charging protocols.

ZENS Liberty 16 Coils Wireless Charger with Apple Watch USB stick Lifestyle Image
Apple's iPhone models have been using Qi wireless charging since the launch of the iPhone X and iPhone 8 in 2017, so many people have existing wireless chargers on hand from prior iPhone generations. Unfortunately, some of those wireless chargers do not appear to be working properly with the iPhone 12 at this time.

There are complaints about non-functional wireless chargers from multiple new iPhone 12 owners on both Reddit and the MacRumors forums. Affected chargers work with older iPhones, but will not charge the iPhone 12 models, which is something to be aware of if you have a new iPhone 12 or are planning a purchase.

The MacRumors forums has a list of chargers that don't appear to be working with the iPhone 12 such as the Zens Liberty Wireless Charger, the Mophie Charge Stream Pad+, the Nomad Base Station Stand, and the Mophie 3-in-1 wireless charging stand. There are also complaints about some Anker wireless chargers.

Nomad's Base Station Pro with Aira wireless charging technology was previously on the list, but just this week Nomad released a firmware update that should address the problem. Unfortunately, most wireless chargers can't get firmware updates like the Base Station Pro, and it's not clear if there's a software fix on the way from Apple.

Some users have had luck getting a wireless charger to work after restarting a device or attempting to change the positioning of the phone on the charger, but in most cases, the affected wireless chargers simply don't charge the iPhone 12 models. This is a problem that seems to be limited to a small number of chargers and most appear to be working.

Update 10:15 a.m.: Apple has just released iOS 14.2 which includes a mention of a fix for an issue in which "devices could be prevented from charging wirelessly." Presumably, this should fix many of the previous issues, while other tweaks by charger vendors such as Nomad's Base Station Pro firmware update may also help. Not all chargers are able to have their firmware updated by users, however.

Tag: Qi

Popular Stories

Apple Card iPhone 16 Pro Feature

Apple Card Promo to Offer Free AirPods Pro 3

Friday May 15, 2026 8:59 am PDT by
Starting as early as next week, customers who sign up for an Apple Card at Apple's retail stores in the U.S. will receive $249 cash back when they purchase AirPods Pro 3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The promotion has yet to be officially announced by Apple, so exact terms and conditions are not available at this time. AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 in the U.S., so customers who...
Apple WWDC25 iOS 26 CarPlay Light mode 250609

Six Popular iPhone Apps Now Available on CarPlay

Thursday May 14, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's CarPlay system for accessing iPhone apps on a vehicle's dashboard screen has received six popular apps in recent weeks: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, Google Meet, WhatsApp, and the indie artist streaming platform Audiomack. Make sure you have the latest version of each app and they will automatically appear on CarPlay. ChatGPT Starting with iOS 26.4, CarPlay supports voice-based...
ipad mini 7 blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Thursday May 14, 2026 5:08 am PDT by
According to the latest rumors, Apple is close to launching its next-generation iPad mini. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in code...

Top Rated Comments

72 months ago
There's a new Apple support document on it. Here's the relevant part:

1. If you have outmoded Qi wireless chargers that do not work with your iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max, dump them in a landfill.

2. Purchase the Apple MagSafe Charger.

3. Purchase the Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter.

4. Purchase a carbon offset so that Apple remains carbon neutral.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
72 months ago
"You're Charging it Wrong" -Apple
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
72 months ago

"You're Charging it Wrong" -Apple
This joke is getting old. Steve Jobs died 9 years ago!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
72 months ago
My 12Pro suddenly stopped working on two Qi chargers yesterday (one of which is the Nomad Base Station + Watch). No amount of wiggling around could get the phone to recognize them and start charging.

Restarted the phone and it started working again on both. Worth a go, guys.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghostface147 Avatar
72 months ago
Anker for the win!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
71 months ago
Yet another person that has run into the issue. My iPhone 11 Pro Max has no issues with my Volvo XC60 wireless charger but my wife's 12 Pro Max (iOS 14.3) runs into the problems of not being able to charge. This is the bare iPhone with no case.

If Apple has put in a hardware change to support their chargers and no longer supports other wireless charging schemes, I'll be very disappointed.....
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)