Magnetic Qi2 car chargers are a big upgrade over the old flat charging pads, but only if your phone can actually lock on. Here's how to tell whether yours will work, and what to do if it doesn't have magnets built in.
Phones with magnets built in
These snap straight onto a Qi2 or MagSafe charger with no extra case needed (a slim case is fine):
- iPhone: iPhone 12 and newer, including the iPhone 15, 16, 17 and 18 lineups (the one exception is the iPhone 16e, which has no MagSafe magnets). iPhones use Apple's MagSafe, which Qi2 is built on.
- Google Pixel: Pixel 10 series and newer have Qi2 magnets built in.
- Samsung Galaxy: check your exact model. Some recent Galaxy phones are "Qi2 Ready," meaning they charge on Qi2 but need a magnetic case to hold on.
Phones that need a magnetic case
If your phone supports wireless charging but doesn't have magnets, a slim case with a built-in magnetic ring will usually make it work with a Qi2 charger. This covers many Android phones, including "Qi2 Ready" models and the iPhone 16e. Look for a case labeled MagSafe-compatible or Qi2-compatible.
Tips for the best fit and fastest charging
- Keep the case slim. Thick, rugged or wallet cases add distance between the phone and the charger, which weakens the magnets and slows charging.
- No metal plates or cards between the phone and charger. They block charging and can get hot.
- Big phones need room. Very large phones, especially with a bulky case, may not fit every car dock. Foldables are hit-or-miss.
Tested with the Faro-Dock
We've tested the Faro-Dock with a range of current phones, including the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pixel 10 Pro XL, plus the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL with a magnetic case. The full, up-to-date list, including which phones need a case and which we don't recommend, is on our Phone Compatibility page.
Still not sure? Email us at info@farodock.com with your phone model and case, and we'll tell you whether it'll work.