How to make your Android smartphone MagSafe compatible
As someone with feet in both the iOS and Android worlds, it’s actually pretty great to enjoy features offered by both platforms. But in terms of hardware, there are things about the iPhone that make me lean that way more than Android phones.
One such example is the re-implementation of MagSafe with the release of the iPhone 12 series. For the unaware, MagSafe is essentially a ring of magnets embedded in the back of your iPhone. Not only does this offer faster wireless charging speeds compared to Qi charging, but it also has opened the door for a slew of MagSafe-compatible accessories.
These range from charging docks and car mounts to PopSocket PopGrip and other accessories from the likes of MOFT. MagSafe is an invaluable piece of the puzzle that we’re still hoping someone in the Android smartphone world implements to some degree.
Make your Android smartphone MagSafe compatible
Unfortunately, we don’t have a MagSafe competitor in the Android space, at least on a widespread scale. Instead, this has left it up to accessory makers to pick up the slack.
Now that MagSafe has been around for more than a year, there are more MagSafe-compatible accessories than ever before. But many of those accessories still only work with the iPhone. Thanks to accessories from the likes of Mophie, Anker, and Spigen, you can actually start using MagSafe accessories on Android phones.
If you have read our review of the Anker 622 and 623 accessories, along with our review of the Z Fold 3, you might notice something a bit odd. Our Z Fold 3 uses a PopSocket Grip and it works with the aforementioned Anker chargers.
This is only possible with the help of the MagSafe adapters, and there are a few different options to choose from.
Best MagSafe Adapters
Mophie was the first of this trio of companies to launch a MagSafe Ring Adapter with its Snap lineup of accessories. But since then, Anker and Spigen have both released options for you to consider. Here are the three options we currently recommend:
The original reason for the release of these adapters is to make non-MagSafe cases compatible. However, these also can make your favorite Android phones compatible with the technology.
There is one major limitation, and it comes down to charging. Apple’s MagSafe magnets are built right into the iPhone, making it possible to wirelessly charge. However, Android phone makers place the Qi charging pad in different places on the back of the phone. This means that even if you use the included installation guide with these adapters, you likely won’t be able to properly wirelessly charge your Android phones.
Luckily, even if you put the MagSafe adapter right onto the back of the phone, you’ll still be able to take advantage of wireless charging. But our recommendation is to get a slim case and slap the adapter onto the back of the case, instead of the back of the phone.
It can be considered annoying to some to use yet another accessory just to use other accessories. But once you start enjoying the world of MagSafe, you won’t want to go back.