iPhone 12 Gets Surprise Boost to 15W Wireless Charging with iOS 17.4 (Unofficial).
Apple hasn’t officially announced it, but new features in iOS 17.4 have unlocked 15W wireless charging for the iPhone 12. This surprise upgrade comes thanks to Qi2, the next generation of wireless charging with better efficiency and magnetic alignment inspired by Apple’s MagSafe technology.
iPhone 12 Now Matches MagSafe Speeds
While iPhone 13 and 14 gained official Qi2 support with iOS 17.2, the iPhone 12, the first with MagSafe, needed to be included. However, tests by Macworld readers and the publication itself show the iPhone 12 now reaches full 15W charging speeds when connected to a non-MagSafe Qi2 charger.
Faster Charging Confirmed in Tests
An iPhone 12 Pro Max charged 30% in 33 minutes with a Qi2 charger, beating the 38 minutes achieved with an Apple MagSafe charger. This unofficial support even triggers the 15W charging animation on the iPhone.
Compatibility Confusion with Accessory Makers
While Belkin includes the iPhone 12 in its Qi2 charger compatibility list, Anker’s stance could be clearer. Their MagGo Power Bank lists iPhone 12 as compatible, but their 3-in-1 Qi2 station excludes it. Anker also has official statements saying the iPhone 12 lacks native Qi2 support.
Important Notes:
- iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini are limited to 12W charging even with Qi2.
- Qi2 is backwards compatible, allowing older Qi or MagSafe iPhones to charge on Qi2 pads at a maximum of 7.5W.
- Wait for Official Confirmation