With the introduction of wireless charging, smartphone manufacturers significantly improved our quality of life. There are undoubtedly a lot of questions in the air now that wireless charging is available on the new iPhones. Does wireless charging function when using a case? is one such query.” The short answer to this is that a case does not prevent wireless charging in general. Learn more about wireless charging by reading this article.
Does Wireless Charging Work With A Case
The answer is yes, but there’s a little more to it than that.
In essence, wireless charging is effective—up to a point—but won’t work properly if your case is too thick. How thick of a case must it be to stop charging? That’s a little up for debate and does seem to vary on a case basis.
In most circumstances, you should be fine, though there are some incredibly thick cases on the market that are intended to be “rugged.” Most wireless charging pads, according to general consensus, can operate through objects with a thickness of up to 3mm.
Avoid cases made of aluminum because it can interfere with wireless charging. If you look at the most recent iPhones, you’ll notice that glass is used in place of aluminum, which is thought to be for the functionality of wireless charging.
The quality of the wireless charger itself is another thing you should take into consideration. Even though it may seem obvious, the better the charger, the more likely it is to connect through thicker cases—at least, you’d hope so.
What Types Of Cases Won’t Work With Wireless Charging
Now, even if you are not a physicist or an engineer, you may have played with magnets as a child, even if it was just the ones on your refrigerator. And if you did, you most likely discovered firsthand a few things that interfere with magnets.
Specifically, anything that prevents the magnetic field from passing through is a magnet, metal, and other magnets. Regarding smartphone cases, the same principle applies.
These are the primary offenders:
- Thick Cases — Some phone cases that are thicker and more durable can interfere with wireless charging. They can interfere with the electromagnetic field, but they can also overheat and harm your charger, case, or even your phone.
- Metal Cases — When using a wireless charging pad, metal cases can significantly disrupt the electromagnetic signal. In fact, as wireless charging became the norm, this was one of the primary factors Apple used to switch from aluminum to glass backs for iPhones.
- Wallet Cases — It’s not the case itself that matters in this instance; rather, it’s what’s inside. Things like credit cards, RFID chips, security IDs, and other items you might keep in a wallet are susceptible to damage from magnetic fields.
- Battery Cases — Wireless charging can also be a problem with battery cases, which are essentially power banks that snap onto your phone. However, some manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, have produced battery cases that function flawlessly with wireless charging.
If your case falls into one of the aforementioned categories and you’re experiencing slow or nonexistent wireless charging, you should try taking it off to see if that makes a difference.
What Types Of Cases Can Work With Wireless Charging
You can use wireless charging pads without taking your case off if you use the right kind of case. You can therefore take full advantage of the practicality and convenience of wireless charging.
Choose a plastic case that is no thicker than 3mm if you want to use your phone with wireless charging and a case at the same time. The electromagnetic induction required for wireless charging won’t be hampered by the material or thickness of these cases.
Take the phone off the wireless charger and take off the case if you notice that your smartphone is charging very slowly or appears to be getting hot.
You should try wireless charging your phone once more after it has cooled down, removing the case this time, to see if the situation has changed.
How To Choose A Phone Case For Wireless Charging
The best phone case for a wireless charging gadget should have the following features and factors in mind.
Beware Of Bulky Cases
In general, a wireless charger shouldn’t be an issue for large cases. However, it should be noted that sometimes thicker cases may struggle to make contact.
Even so, brands have tested their devices and created even more contemporary thick cases with this in mind.
A good example is the Pelican collection from Case-Mate, which features some of the toughest, thickest phone cases that are compatible with wireless charging.
Stick To Glass-Backed Phones
The connection between your phone and a wireless charger will undoubtedly be hampered by metal phone cases. Although aluminum phone cases are strong and resilient, they cannot be used with wireless charging technology.
The new iPhone models from Apple no longer have an aluminum body because of this. Instead, they provide a solid glass back that aids in the charge’s efficient conductivity. In other words, it’s not just about looks.
Conversely, some Android manufacturers have opted to continue producing certain phone models using high-quality, robust materials while omitting wireless charging features.
Consider The Charger’s Power
Aside from phone cases, it’s equally crucial to think about how much power your wireless charger offers. A weaker charger won’t be able to penetrate your phone’s case and charge it.
However, there are high-quality chargers available, such as Case-Mate’s wireless chargers, that provide a reliable and solid product. Wireless charging has been around for quite some time.
Some wireless chargers are so strong that they can start charging with only a few millimeters of the distance between them and the device being charged.
