81 Frequently Asked Questions on Wireless Charging

Check out the below frequently asked FAQs on the wireless charging.

Broadly the FAQs can be segregated into 4 categories –

#1 When was wireless charging invented?

The wireless charging technology has an exciting history.

Nikola Tesla, a pioneer in the field of electricity, invented wireless transmission of electricity in the late 19^th century, about 130 years ago. He successfully conducted experiments in his laboratory using Tesla Tower, to transmit electricity wirelessly.

Nicola Telsa could not translate the experimental success to a commercial application for a long time after that.

Subsequently, in 2007 professor Marin Soljacic of MIT could successfully transmit power up to 2 meters. And he founded ‘WiTricity’ to use the technology commercially.

However, in the case of mobile phones, it was Nokia who launched the Qi-enabled smartphone, model Lumia 920, with wireless charging capabilities in September 2012.

#2 Who invented wireless charging?

Wireless charging was invented by Nikola Tesla as a means of transmitting electricity. However, it could not find commercial use at that time.

Later, in 2007, professor Marin Soljacic invented a form of wireless charging that was useful commercially, and he founded his company WiTriCity to explore the application of wireless charging.

The Wireless Power Consortium initially conceived by Fulton Innovation, and later joined by ConvenientPower, Logitech, Philips, Sanyo, Shenzen Sang Fei Communications, National Semiconductor Texas Instruments in 2008, developed the Qi wireless charging technology.

Nokia finally got credit for developing the first wireless charging smartphone in 2012.

#3 When did wireless charging come out?

Though experiments were conducted in the laboratory for as long as 100 years, wireless charging, in general, became available for commercial use in 2007.

However, it was only in 2012 that wireless charging technology was integrated with mobile phones. And the first Qi-enabled wireless charging smartphone Nokia Lumia 920 was released by Nokia in 2012.

#4 What is wireless charging technology?

Wireless charging technology is all about being able to transmit electricity between the source and receiver without the use of any wires or cables.

At the fundamental level, it is based on the principle of induction.

The primary component responsible for wireless transmission is the charger coil (placed inside the wireless charger) and the receiver coil (found inside the phone).

Whenever current flows through the charger coil, it generates a magnetic field around it. On placing the phone on the charger, the receiver coil comes in the path of this magnetic field and current is induced in the receiver coil, which is processed to charge the battery.

This being the fundamental principle, innovations enabled an increase in the efficiency and distance between the charger and the phone.

#5 What is PMA wireless charging?

PMA stands for Power Matter Alliance and is one of the wireless charging standards group.

Powermat Technology from Israel was the lead company responsible for setting up the PMA. It sets standards for inductive and resonance charging specifications.

In 2015 the PMA and A4WP merged together to form the AirFuel Alliance.

PMA charging is essentially based on inductive charging technology, which works only in a short range of distance. Since the relative coil position is vital, it generally has a magnet to hold the phone properly.

The transmission frequency and connection protocol of PMA are different from that of Qi. It works on 277-357kHz band frequency against 100-205kHz band frequency of Qi technology.

#6 What does qi stand for in wireless charging?

Qi (pronounced as chee) is the wireless charging standards as developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).

WPC is the largest group that governs wireless charging standards.

Qi is a kind of technical protocol that governs how the wireless charging will occur between the wireless charger and the device to be charged.

Qi is essentially concerned with the inductive charging technology which uses a transmitter coil in the charger and a receiver coil in the device. It defines the technical compatibility between the charger and the device and is the most popular wireless charging standard used currently in the mobile phone industry.

#7 Who owns qi wireless charging?

Qi wireless charging standard is owned by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).

WPC was formed on the 17^th Dec 2008 and is based out of New Jersey.

Though initiated by Fulton Innovation, the consortium now has more than 500 members worldwide.

According to the latest reports the WPC has taken over the AirFuel Alliance to become the largest provider of wireless charging standards.

#8 What does wireless charging mean?

A number of devices like the laptop, tablet and smartphones have inbuilt batteries, that can be charged using the mains socket.

In order to charge the batteries of these devices, a wall adapter of appropriate output power is recommended.

However, in wireless charging, there is no need to connect any wire or adapter to the device. Simply place the device on the wireless charger for topping the battery power. There is no physical wire connecting the charger and the charged device.

Hence the term ‘Wireless Charging’. Power gets transmitted from the charger to the device through air.

#9 Where to buy a wireless charging pad?

You can buy wireless chargers from the mobile phone dealers or accessories outlet. But in the present circumstance, it would be advisable to buy it online.

The original wireless chargers would available on the phone manufacturer site like Samsung, Apple etc. And the compatible wireless chargers can be easily purchased from Amazon, which has a large variety to offer.

One can also check the online sites like Chroma, NDTV gadgets and snapdeal, Best Buy, etc.

However, before buying the chargers online, it is advised to check the product’s authenticity and its compatibility with your phone.

Also, look out for the feedback from current users and the warranty and exchange policy for the wireless chargers.

#10 How good is wireless charging?

Wireless charging is very convenient, wherein you do not have to carry different cables for different phones.

It does away with the need to plug in and worry about loose connections and faulty wires. One wireless charger can work for several different compatible devices.

However, in comparison with the wired charging, the wireless charging speed may be less. But with the latest wireless charger output of 10w/15w is possible, which ensures faster charging.

The phone or any other device should be Qi-compatible for the wireless charging to be successful.

#11 Why is wireless charging bad?

Despite all the benefits that wireless charging offers, it does have some disadvantages and concerns, that need to be understood before you opt for wireless chargers.

The phone must be precisely placed on the wireless charger, and any misalignment may cause a stoppage of charging.

In some cases, it would become necessary to remove the phone case before charging it wirelessly.

Any magnetic or metallic object between the charger and the phone may disrupt the charging.

The wireless charging rate may be slower if used on 5W power, like for older versions of smartphones.

Though stands are available to use a phone during wireless charging, but it is cumbersome, and there is always a chance of phone misalignment.

Roughly 20% of the power gets wasted while charging wirelessly. Wireless charging speed will be increased and the efforts are alreay in progress to make it happen. Click here to know more.

Wireless chargers are not as portable, like cables or wall adapter. Though a final word is still awaited, there are chances of harm due to inductive charging environment.

And the cost of the wireless charger is much higher than the wired wall adapters.

#12 Why are people so obsessed with wireless charging?

Technological innovations are always a draw and reason for obsession.

The possibility of wireless charging is enticing because that seems to be the future standard. It is trendy and a status symbol for some users. To have the latest technical gizmo is a huge craze with the youngsters.

The wireless chargers do have a distinct advantage to use in public places, considering the present pandemic conditions.

In the initial stages, the wireless chargers may have some issues, but eventually, like any other electronic gadget, it would become the standard of charging.

Many wireless chargers come with the extra feature of a night lamp or Bluetooth speaker, which seems very interesting.

#13 How to use wireless charging pad?

Using wireless charging pad is quite simple and straightforward.

Be advised that only Qi-enabled devices can be charged by a wireless charging pad.

• Place the wireless charging pad on a flat and stable surface and plug it to the mains supply using the wall socket provided along with it.
• Keep the phone to be charged on the designated place on the wireless charging pad, which is usually marked with a cross or a circle.

The wireless charging will commence immediately, which may be indicated on your phone screen.

Some wireless charging pads come with indicators to confirm the commencement of the wireless charging.

It very crucial to place the phone in its proper place, else the charging may not commence.

#14 How to know if your phone has wireless charging?

The phone’s instruction manual will mention the wireless charging facility if your phone is equipped with one. If you do not have the manual, then you can check for the technical specifications of your phone on the internet and navigate to the battery section of the technical specification.

Wireless charging if available, will be mentioned in the battery section of the technical specifications.

Benchmarking sites, like GSMarena or Phonearena, are easy to use for checking out the phone specifications by merely inputting the make and model of your phone on these sites.

You can also try locating the wireless charging feature, if available by navigating to settings→ Advanced features → Accessories→ Fast wireless charger.

#15 How to insert wireless charging receiver

Wireless charging receiver attachments are available for smartphones that do not have inbuilt wireless charging receivers.

These wireless charging receivers are generally of two types; one is for external mounting, and the other is to be located inside the phone.

The external mounting wireless charging receiver comes with a small micro USB connector (like the the one shown in the above picture). Plug this connector to the charging port of the phone. And place the card touching the back of the phone and mount a phone case on it to keep it in place. The phone is ready for wireless charging.

For internal mounting wireless charging receiver, open the phone and place the thin receiver on the battery and plug the connector to the battery port inside the phone. Snap the phone cover back in place to hold the receiver in position. The phone is now wireless charging enabled.

Generally, the receiver comes with their own installation manual, but we have discussed the two most popular ways to do it.

#16 What is the advantage of wireless charging?

Wireless charging offers a number of advantages;

• Wireless charging is very convenient to use. Just place the phone on the charger, and the charging commences.
• There is no need to handle the clutter of cables and keep losing them.
• The charging pad can be very conveniently placed on the desk or the bedside table.
• One wireless charger can charge a couple of devices, even simultaneously.
• It is good enough to charge the AirPods or smartwatches too.
• It can deliver 15W output for faster charging.
• Lesser wear and tear of the phone socket leads to better efficiency and life of the phone.
• The wireless chargers come with the additional utility of being used as Bluetooth speaker, night lamp, etc.
• The wireless chargers have a longer life than the wired chargers.

#17 What is reverse wireless charging?

It is a further technical advancement of the wireless charging technology.

Qi-enabled phones can be charged using wireless charging. And once the phone is charged, it can further charge another qi enabled phone, without the need of a wireless charger.

This technology of charging a phone with a charged phone based on Qi technology is known as reverse wireless charging.

Read more about PowerShare technology here.

Reverse wireless charging is a very useful feature, and it comes very handy when there is no charger available but one of the phones available, has a reasonable battery charge.

#18 What cases work with wireless charging?

Wireless charging works uninterrupted with non-metallic cases that are less than 4mm thickness.

Since the Qi technology does not warrant a physical connection between the phone and the charger, the cases do not hamper the process. But being based on electromagnetic induction effect, the distance between the phone and the charger is a matter of concern, and it should not be more than 4 mm.

Hence the case thickness needs to be limited to 4 mm.

Metal disturbs the electromagnetic induction process, and hence metallic cases cannot be used. Customized phone cases for wireless charging are available online.

#19 What case materials do not work for wireless charging?

Wireless charging is based on the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, and hence metallic cases or cases with metallic or magnetic fibres or components cannot be used.

The metallic and the magnetic material disrupts the wireless flow of the power and will fail the charging process itself.

Also, cases with a kick stand, the ones that are used to hold the cases in a tilted position to watch videos or do video call should not be used.

Even cases with metal rings to hold the phone with a finger or the pop sockets will interfere in the wireless charging and cannot be used.

Armoured cases or any other type of case more than 5 mm thickness may hinder the wireless charging.

Similarly, cases that come with provisions to keep the credit cards or with zipper mounted case holder will not work in wireless charging.

#20 How thick case can I use for wireless charging?

The recommended distance between the wireless charger’s transmitting coil and the receiver coil should not be more than 7 mm for uninterrupted wireless charging.

With this technical fact in consideration, it is advised not to use phone cases that are more than 4- 5 mm thickness so that the optimum gap between the coils is maintained.

Cases thicker than 5 mm may result in erratic wireless charging.

#21 Can you have a case on your phone when wireless charging?

For the best results of wireless charging, it is advised to charge the phone without its case.

But it may be inconvenient to remove the case every time charging is done.

Hence you can charge your phone wirelessly with the case, but the case’s thickness should not be more than 4 – 5 mm.

And neither can it be metallic or have metallic or magnetic components.

So, you can have the case on your phone when charging wirelessly but with certain conditions and precautions.

#22 What is the difference between AirPods with charging case and AirPods with wireless charging case?

The AirPods charging cases is to hold the AirPods when not in use and to charge it, by connecting the AirPods charging case with the standard wired wall charger.

However, the wireless charging case of AirPods is technically different than the Airpod charging case.

The wireless charging case of AirPods can be charged using any compatible wireless charging pads without cable or wall adapters. And when the AirPods are stored in these wireless charging pads, the pads would charge the AirPods.

Wireless charging airpod cases are convenient from charging point of view, particularly if you are already using a wireless charging pad for your phones.

#23 How to have a pop socket and use wireless charging?

Popsockets are those telescopic holding devices mounted on the back of the phone to be held by the fingers.

Check out more about Popsocket and Wireless Charging – here.

However, it is quite thick and would indeed block the wireless charging, if one tries to charge the phone with the pop socket.

One way to accommodate this issue is to fix the pop socket off centre, in such a way that the phone touches the charging area of the wireless charger snugly.

And the pop socket hangs down from the front or the side of the charger. That way, it is clearly out of the way of the transmitting and receiving coils.

This is how one can have a pop socket and enjoy the privilege of wireless charging also.

#24 Where to put the Popsocket on iPhone XS but still have wireless charging?

The secret of using Popsocket and still have wireless charging is to mount the popsocket so that it does not come between the wireless charger and the phone.

It would be advisable to mount the popsocket away from the phone’s centre towards the bottom or the top to achieve this.

This popsocket positioning will ensure that when iPhone XS is kept on the wireless charger, the distance between the charger and the iPhone does not prohibit wireless charging.

#25 Does wireless charging work when the phone is off?

According to the experts, the wireless charging needs an active circuit to facilitate the charging by electromagnetic induction. That cannot happen with a switched off phone.

Hence wireless charging cannot be executed using a phone that is switched off.

Placed on the wireless charger, users have experienced that the phone automatically switches on before the wireless charging begins.

Though some find this inconvenient, but that is how it works according to the experts.

#26 What happens if you plug in a phone while wireless charging?

If you plug in a phone while it is charging wirelessly, the wireless charging terminates, and the charging of the phone continues with the wired charger.

As compared to the wireless charger, the wired charger is more powerful and efficient.

As soon as the phone senses, a more efficient wire charger, it bypasses the wireless charging to get looped onto to the wired charger.

In no case, both charging systems can work simultaneously to charge the battery. The efficient system will have precedence, and the lower efficient system will be booted out.

#27 When your iPhone is charging on a wireless charger, does it show that it is charging?

As the wireless charging commences, when you place the iPhone on the wireless charging pad, the battery icon pops up to show that the charging is on.

The blinking LED on the top of the phone is also an indicator of the active wireless charging.

Most of the wireless charging pads are also equipped with indicator LEDs that light up, once the charging begins.

Features may vary with the models of iPhone. But all of them would show the charging status, once you go to the menu bar at the top and look at the battery icon.

#28 Which wireless charging stand works with Kyocera dura force pro 2?

The wireless charging stand comes with the advantage of viewing and using the phone while it is still charging. It looks elegant on the desk too.

Check out complete wireless charging guide for Kyocera phone – here

The wireless charging stands that can be used with Kyocera dura force pro 2 are Seenda Wireless chargers, Cosoos wireless charging stands, and Raigen wireless charging stands.

#29 Where to place phone for wireless charging?

Wireless charging works on the principle of inductive charging, wherein the transmitter coils in the charger and the receiving coil of the phone should be in close proximity (less than 7mm apart).

Hence it is very crucial to place the phone precisely on the designated place on the charger.

The position is generally marked by a circle or a cross on the top of the charging pad. The phone invariably has to be placed very precisely on the marked spot.

#30 How close does your phone have to be on for wireless charging?

For wireless charging to be successful, the distance between the transmitting coil in the charger and the receiving coil in the phone should not be more than 7mm.

Considering the thickness of the phone back cover and that of the charger pad, the distance between the phone and the charger should not be more than 5mm. Ideally, it should be around 3-4 mm.

#31 Why turn off the vibration mode when charging wirelessly?

The phone placement on the charger is very vital to enable the synchronization of the transmitting coil and the receiving coil. Any misalignment of the phone and the charger puts off the wireless charging.

The phone’s vibration will cause the phone to jitter and move, and this is bound to create a misalignment of the phone on the charger.

Hence, it is essential to switch off the phone’s vibration mode before you commence wireless charging.

#32 How do I know if my phone is “fast” wireless charging Android?

The wireless charging is possible in 5W, 7.5W, 10W and 15W, out of which the 10W and the 15W are considered to be fast charging.

Check out the wireless charging power of your phone from its technical specification or the user guide.

Charging output power of 7.5W and above is considered to be fast charging.

If your cellphone specifies wireless charging power of 7.5W or above, it is compatible with fast wireless charging. If the user manual is not available, you can check out the wireless charging specification on phonearena or GSMarena websites.

Make and model wise wireless charging speeds of various phones are mentioned therein.

#33 How do I switch my phone from wireless charging to charging with a cord?

Charging with a cord usually is faster than charging with wireless charger and hence you may want to charge with cable at times.

Even if the phone is configured for wireless charging, the phone will automatically switch to wired charging if you connect the wall adapter with a cord for charging.

The wired charging always has an override over the wireless charging feature. However, if you intend to disable the function of wireless charging, that can be done by navigating to setting and disabling the option of wireless charging from the advanced settings.

#34 Why isn’t my phone charging with a fast-wireless charger?

There could be a couple of reasons for your phone not to be charged with a wireless charger.

• The first among it could be the possibility that the phone to be charged is not Qi-enabled. 
• The option of wireless charging is not enabled in the settings of the phone.
• The wireless charger is not compatible with the make/model of your phone.
• The phone may not be aligned properly on the wireless charging pad.
• Presence of metallic/magnetic or credit/debit cards between the phone and the charger, or in the phone’s vicinity, and the charger may prohibit the phone’s wireless charging.
• The wireless charger may not be plugged to the wall adapter.

#35 Why does wireless charging make my phone hot?

Inefficiency or lose connections in any kind of power transfer generates heat.

Read the complete explanation and solutions of overheating of phone when wireless charging – here

The wireless charging systems are inefficient compared to the wired charging system, and at times, the phone may heat up because of wireless charging.

Another reason for heat up of the phone could be the presence of metallic or magnetic substance between the phone and the charger. These materials, even in the vicinity of the charger during charging, might generate heat.

If the phone is not aligned well with the charger, it could also cause some heat.

Essentially, anything which makes the charging process more inefficient will tend to heat the phone and charger.

#36 What is built-in wireless charging?

These days, quite a few smartphones come with the receiver coil and its allied circuitry as part of the manufacturer’s original phone hardware.

Such a provision of wireless charging is called ‘built in charging’ as it has been included in the phone’s original design and construction.

The user does not have to attach an external accessory to enable wireless charging. The hardware and necessary software has been provided for by the phone manufacturer.

Apple iPhone 11 and 12 the best example of built-in wireless charger receiver.

#37 Why is it so hard to get my phone set right on a wireless charging pad?

For the wireless charging to work flawlessly, it is imperative for the transmitting coil and the receiving coil to be aligned correctly.

Since the coil’s diameter is very small (fitted snugly inside the charger and the phone respectively), alignment is tricky and takes some time and skill to do so.

To make the process easier, manufacturers mark the spot on the charger and placing the phone on it will do the trick well.

There are many wireless charging pads in market which has multiple coils, and this make it easy for placing the phone on the charging pad.

#38 Which cars have wireless iPhone charging?

Having a wireless charger as a standard/optional accessory in the car is a matter of great convenience and utility. Many car manufacturers offer wireless charging convenience in their cars. Some prominent cars to do that are;

• Audi A3, A4, A5, Q7 and R8
• BMW M Series and Alpina models, series 1-7 (optional attachment)
• Ford, optional attachment on Edge, Fusion
• Genesis G90
• Honda Odyssey, Accord and Civic
• Hyundai, Sonata, i30, Ioniq,
• Mercedes Benz E class
• Toyota, Land Cruiser, Avalon, Camry, Prius, Tacoma
• Volvo XC 40

Check out the guide to cars with built in Wireless Charging System – here.

#39 Why can only glass back phones use wireless charging?

Wireless charging works on the inductive transfer of power.  

Glass offers the least resistance to the power transfer in this case and ensures max efficiency of wireless charging.

Metallic and other material tend to hinder the wireless charging transfer of power.

That explains why most of the wireless charging enabled phones are with a glass back.

#40 How to tell if Kyocera dura force pro has wireless charging?

The specification section of the user manual tells you if Kyocera Duraforce Pro has wireless charging capabilities.

In case you have misplaced the user manual, check the setting and go to the ‘battery section’ to check for wireless charging option. Alternatively, you can check the phone specification on the internet, particularly on sites like PhoneArena or GSMarena.

#41 Do you need to remove the cover from your cell phone when wireless charging?

The optimum distance between the transmitting coil and the wireless charging system’s receiving coil should not be more than 7 mm.

Hence it is advised to remove the cover before commencing wireless charging so that the wireless charging efficiency is maintained well.

However, if the case is thin, less than 3-4mm thickness and completely non-metallic and non-magnetic, you can keep the cover intact.

Ensure that it does not have any metallic ring, pop- socket, credit cards, coins etc. Nevertheless, for cases with a thickness of more than 5mm, it is mandatory to remove them before attempting wireless charging of the phone.

#42 What kind of wireless charging do Samsung phones use?

Samsung uses the Qi-based wireless charging technology for its smartphones and the wireless chargers.

Out of the various other wireless charging systems like the PMA, Power mat etc, Qi is the most popular standard used across various makes and models and is owned and managed by the wireless power consortium (WPC).

#43 Why does my Samsung wireless charger flash blue and stop charging?

A flashing blue light of the Samsung wireless charger is a warning indication.

It indicates that the wireless charging is not established despite keeping the phone on the wireless charging pad.

Either the phone is not placed appropriately on the wireless charging pad, or there could be some magnetic or metallic interruption between the phone and the charger.

It is also possible that the phone may have a thicker case on it, which prohibits the phone’s wireless charging.

#44 Why is my wireless charger flashing when my phone is charging?

A flashing wireless charger means that the charging process is hindered and there is some problem.

• It indicates incompatibility between the phone and the wireless charger.
• The wireless charger may not be suitable for the phone which is charged.
• Maybe there is a mismatch in the output power, or the charging standards are different.

The wireless charger’s flashing may also occur when the phone is kept face down on the wireless charging pad. Always keep the phone back down on the wireless charging pad.

#45 Why does my wireless charger stop charging?

If the phone stops charging during regular charging, it could be because of the following reasons;

• The phone and the charger may have overheated. It is usual for the phone to be warmed up during wireless charging, but excessive heat could damage the phone. Hence the in-built safety device trips the charging when it is overheated and resumes charging as it cools down.
• Any over current or over voltage surge in the charger also trips it to avoid damaging the phone. A manual reset and recharging may solve this problem
• It is possible that the phone must have shifted from its ideal spot, because of vibration or usage of the phone during charging. Try relocating the phone in its proper location.
• The phone battery may be fully charged, and no more charging would be required.

#46 Why doesn’t wireless charging work through metal?

Wireless charging is dependent on the principle of electromagnetic induction of electricity for its working.

Metal is magnetic in nature and conductor of electricity.

The presence of metal in the electromagnetic field dissipates the energy and the transmitted power is short-circuited and does not reach the receiving coil.

Disruption of the magnetic field takes away the medium for the power to move from the transmitting coil to the receiving coil. Hence wireless charging does not work through metals.

#47 Does wireless charging stop when iPhone battery is full?

Yes, the wireless charging stops automatically, when the iPhone battery is full.

It is a safety feature incorporated in all wireless charging pads and also in the wall adapter unit.

It prevents damage to the battery because of over-charging.

Very frequently, users keep the phone on their wireless charger throughout the night, as they sleep.

#48 What does the wireless charger display when charging the phone?

It is common for wireless manufacturers to use LED indicators to indicate the charger’s various states.

The wireless charger most commonly displays a steady LED glowing, either blue, green or white in color, when the wireless charging is in progress.

Some fancy wireless chargers have glowing LED, throughout the periphery of the charger pad as the wireless charging is in progress.

#49 Does a wireless charger use energy when not charging?

It is a tricky question, with the answer as yes and no. Most wireless chargers are built around very smart circuits, which sense the presence and state of the phone batteries when kept on it.

That means as the phone is removed the wireless charger senses the removal and tones down power usage to almost zero (technically it is around 0.1W) even if the wireless charger is plugged in.

But without the intelligent circuit to assist detection of the phone, the wireless charger may waste a substantial amount of power if left on, after removing the phone.

#50 How much more electricity does wireless charging Qi use?

It is a known fact that Qi charging is less efficient than wired charging.

According to some estimates, a Qi charger would consume about 45% more power than the standard, wall adapter chargers.

If, for example, a wall adapter wired charger consumes about 15 watt-hours a Qi wireless charger would consume around 22 watts-hour for the same phone, for the same amount of charging.

The wastage of power in the Qi-based charger is also dependent on the phone’s position on charger and the thickness of the case and other factors.

#51 Why do iPhones require a different kind of wireless charger for fast charging?

For fast charging, particularly iPhone, Apple suggests Magsafe chargers as a preferable option.

The Magsafe chargers have been specifically designed for fast charging of iPhone.

However,  it can be used with advantage for android smartphones as well.

The erstwhile iPhone wireless chargers could deliver only 7.5W maximum, but Magsafe chargers can provide a peak output of 15W that really classifies as fast charging.

MagSafe wireless chargers are equipped with magnets which holds the phone in place and ensure good alignment with the charger. Thus, interruption due to misalignment is completely avoided, and the wireless charging is relatively smooth and quick.

The Magsafe is highly compatible with iPhone and recommended by Apple for fast wireless charging.

#52 For what thickness of wood can wireless charging still work?

It is common to see wireless charging enabled furniture these days, particularly in public places, restaurants and cafes.

Check out how to build wireless charging furniture – here

The wireless charger is mounted below the tabletop or the desktops and wired to the mains supply.

The standard Qi-enabled chargers can work for up to 5-7 mm thickness of the wood. But wireless chargers like Mastercharge Invisible® LR, designed especially for wooden furniture, can work for wood thickness up to 40mm.

At the same time, the One point wireless charger works efficiently for wood thickness from 30 -50 mm. This technical up-gradation of the wireless charger to transmit power up to 50mm has created an upsurge in the wireless-enabled furniture.

#53 How does wireless charging receiver work?

The wireless charging receiver is an accessory that can be used to charge even non-Qi enabled phones wirelessly.

The wireless charger sends out an alternating electromagnetic field, which induces a current into the wireless charging receiver’s coil.

This current is duly processed and through the charging socket powers the battery of the phone.

The wireless receiver’s working based on the electromagnetic induction necessitates that the wireless receiver is in the charger’s close proximity.

Hence it is attached placed at the back of the phone or inside the phone under the back cover.

#54 How to improve wireless charging?

Some precautions and conscious effort can improve the wireless charging.

• Ensure that the wireless charging pad is connected with an appropriate wall charger.
• Place the phone precisely at the ‘sweet spot’ on the charger pad. Avoid misalignment of the phone and the charger.
• If possible, put the phone on aeroplane mode or disable the background app.
• Check to see, no metallic objects, credit cards or magnetic cards are between the charger and the phone, or in the charger’s vicinity.
• Remove the phone case before charging, if it is not too inconvenient. It helps reduce the distance between the transmitting and receiving coils, which enhances the charging efficiency.
• Check for the compatibility of the phone and the wireless charger.

Check out the detailed guide on this topic – here

#55 How safe is Qi wireless charging?

The wireless charger does emit electromagnetic radiations. But these are magnetic radiations, and not as harmful as the radio frequency radiations.

When a phone is being charged on the wireless charging pad, the wireless charger emits magnetic frequency radiations. These radiations are present within a few inches of the wireless charger and are of very low magnitude, which presumably is harmless to humans.

Beyond a few inches, the radiation’s presence is minimal and becomes nil outside of 1foot distance.

In conclusion, the wireless chargers are not harmful to humans, but the best precaution would be to keep away from the wireless charger when it is functional.

#56 What is the range for wireless charging?

Qi is the most popular technology and standard for wireless charging of phones and has a range of 7 -10 mm.

However, the Matercharge and One-point wireless chargers have a range of up to 50mm (2 inches). However, WiTriCity’s Electromagnetic Resonant technology makes it possible to transmit power up to 9 inches.

It is prevalent in car charging technology. The best in terms of wireless charging range is Wi Charge’s Power Puck wireless chargers that use the AirCord™ technology and has an impressive range of 30 feet.

Power puck can be used to charge smart devices along with IoT devices.

Possibly, Power Puck is yet to hit the retail market, but the trials and test confirm encouraging results.

#57 What are the limitations of induction wireless charging?

Despite all the goodness, induction wireless charging does have inherent limitations and disadvantages. The most obvious ones are;

• It is about 15% slower than the wired charging, and devices take longer to get charged.
• As compared to the basic wired charging systems, the inductive wireless charging systems are expensive.
• It is inconvenient to use the phone during inductive wireless charging. Devices connected to the wired charging system can be used with greater ease and convenience.
• Inductive wireless charging is inefficient and wastes power. At best it can be just about 70% as efficient as the wired charger.
• Compatibility of the inductive charger with devices is not universal and specific standards suit different devices.

Read in detail the advantages and dis-advantages – here

#58 Why can’t qi wireless charging be used in a fire tablet?

The previous versions of the Fire tablet were not Qi-enabled, and hence the Qi wireless chargers could not charge the Fire tablets.

Compatibility is a precondition for the Qi wireless. It does not work for incompatible devices. However, the latest HD 8 Pro Fire Tablet is enabled for Qi charging.

And this modified Fire tablet can be charged by Qi wireless chargers that deliver the required power output.

#59 Why is wireless charging called wireless charging if you have to plug the charger in?

That is a bit ironical. But as far as the charging of the phone is concerned, no wire or cable is involved.

It is the wireless charger which is plugged to the wall adapter for charging. And hence the charging of the wireless charger is wired.

Usually, when using the wired charger for the phone, it is the phone that is plugged with wires. But in the wireless charging system, the phone is not plugged with any cable, and it charges wirelessly from the charger.

That is the reason and justification of calling it a wireless charging. It is wireless charging from the perspective of the phone.

#60 How to make a wireless charging desk?

It would be very useful to have a wireless charging enabled desk, wherein you can charge your device by just placing it on the desk.

Wireless charger for furniture and desk mounting is available at amazon. You can select one that suits your specification and requirement.

The wireless charger for furniture comes with its own fitting arrangement in the form of a clamp or press-fit attachments.

You have to mount the wireless charger underneath the desk at an appropriate location. It is advisable to mount the wireless charger off the centre of the desk towards one side so that the phone can be conveniently kept there for charging.

The wireless charger can be screwed on the desk’s underside with charging side up. Alternatively, a hole may be needed to be made to push-fit the charger onto the desk.

Ensure that the face of the charging pad does not protrude above the surface of the desk, to prevent damage.

#61 Why is wireless charging overnight bad?

Seven- Eight hours of charging is much more than what would be required to charge a phone battery.

Though the latest smartphones come with automatic cut off at full charge of a battery. But triggering the phone’s safety feature daily and treating it as a regular feature is taxing on the phone and the battery.

It may fail soon, resulting in overcharging of the battery and subsequent damage to it. Even if the full charge cut off safety does not fail for a few hours every day, the wireless charger is wastefully ‘on’ and will decrease its life and performance in the long run.

The wastage of power and unwanted radiation of the electromagnetic waves is another strong reason to avoid overnight charging.

If the phone alignment on the wireless charger is displaced then it may cause heating of the phone, which can damage the charger and the phone.

It is accepted that the battery’s power should be maintained between 40 to 80% capacity and that can be best done during the daytime charging.

#62 What is the typical efficiency of wireless charging?

It is a fact that the electromagnetic induction-based wireless charging like the Qi charging is low on efficiency.

During the inceptive days of the wireless charging, the efficiency was as low as 40% resulting in massive wastage of power. But with the advancement in technology and engineering, the efficiency rose to about 60%.

Of late the Qi wireless chargers claim efficiency of around 70 %, which is still less than that of the wired chargers rated at 85% efficiency. However, please note that low efficiency is a feature of low power wireless transmission.

At higher power, beyond 100W, the efficiency of the wireless chargers is much better.

#63 Why does my Samsung wireless charging pad lose connection with my phone?

Loss of connection between the Samsung wireless charging pad and the phone could be because of the phone’s misalignment.

If the phone vibrates during wireless charging, it tends to move significantly and disturbs the delicate positional alignment between the phone and the charger.

Another prominent cause of misalignment is the usage of a phone during charging.  As you use the touch screen, the phone moves to result in undesired misalignment.

Overheating of the phone is also another reason for the phone to lose connection with the charger, as the safety circuit trips the charger at higher temperatures.

It may frequently happen during the hot summers. Over-voltage/over-current could also be the reason for the safety circuit to get actuated and trip the Wireless charging.

#64 Why wireless charging takes longer than wired charging Samsung?

The wireless charger, based on the electromagnetic induction, is less efficient than the wired charger.

Being 20-25% less efficient, the wireless charger takes more time to compensate for the loss of power due to inefficiency.

In addition, inappropriate wall adapter of the wireless charging pad, or misalignment of the phone, or such other reasons, further add to the charging time.

Higher charging time is the tradeoff for convenient charging in the case of wireless charging. However, continued improvements in the wireless charging is reducing the losses and the charging time.

#65 How many volts do wireless charging pads send?

The wireless charging pads give out 5 volts. But the output current may vary depending on the phone which is charged.

The current can vary between 1 amp to 3 amps. And it gives the final output between 5W to 15W as required for the phone to be charged.

Please note that the equation for the output power is: output power = volts x current.

It is primal to insure that the power required by the device matches with the power delivered by the charger, otherwise wireless charging may either not work or underperform.

#66 How do you know when your Samsung – fast wireless charger is charging?

Once you keep your phone on the Samsung fast wireless charger, the charger’s indicator LED will turn blue and remain lighted constantly.

A constant blue lighting LED is a sign of proper wireless charging being conducted. When the wireless charging commences, the phone screen will come alive and show the battery icon as being charged.

The battery indicator at the top right of the screen will also indicate charging of the battery.

In most smartphones, a written message indicating wireless charging may also blink on the screen for some time. Some phones give out a beep as soon as the wireless charging begins.

#67 Wireless charging stops when get notifications S9?

Many users of S9 have experienced termination of charging while receiving notifications.

As a remedy, users tried disabling the messages, but the charging information still pops up randomly during charging. Reports say that did not help much.

Switching off the phone also did not solve the problem. Experts suggest changing the wall adapter of the wireless charger as a possible remedy.

Usage of original Samsung wall charger has solved the problem for many users. Also, check for proper alignment of the phone on the wireless pad. And try not to use the phone during charging.

#68 What is the difference between fast charging wireless pad and regular?

The difference between the fast charging wireless pad and the regular wireless charging pad is the amount of time it takes to charge the phone.

The fast charging wireless pad charges the phone quickly as compared to the regular one.

This difference in charging time is due to the increased power output in the case of the fast wireless charging.

The fast-wireless charging delivers upwards of 5W, like 10W and 15W output, whereas the regular charger wireless charging pad delivers 5W and 7.5 W max.

#69 What if you use a magnet on your phone wireless charging?

Usage of a magnet on your wireless charger may stop the working of the wireless charger altogether.

If it is a weak magnet, it may make the wireless transmission of power erratic.

A strong magnet may not only stop the wireless transmission, and it may end up disturbing and destroying the delicate wireless charging circuit inside the wireless charger.

A strong magnet is also known to harm the phone in many ways

#70 Why do magnets mess up wireless charging?

The phone’s wireless charging is based on the principle of Electromagnetic Induction.

As the current passes through the transmitting coil (placed inside the wireless charger), it generates a magnetic field around it.

When the phone is kept on the charger, the receiving coil (found inside the phone) cuts this magnetic field.

An electric current flow is induced in the receiving coil, influenced by the transmitting coil’s magnetic field. This induced current in the receiving coil is processed and used to charge the phone battery.

Any external magnet in the vicinity of this setup will disturb the magnetic field created by the transmitting coil, and the wireless transmission of power to the phone will be interrupted.

#71 What happens to the magnetic field after wireless charging?

The magnetic field generated in the wireless charging system is electromagnetic in nature.

This means that the magnetic field is caused by the current passing through the wireless charger’s transmitting coil.

The moment current stops in the transmitting coil, the magnetic field just disappears. Its existence is directly linked to the presence of the electrical current in the active circuit.

#72 What does it mean when a wireless charger is draining the battery and not charging it?

This strange situation is true, but the conclusion that wireless charging drains the battery is not correct.

In some cases, even when the wireless charging is on, instead of boosting the battery, the battery seems to lose the charge after some time.

This weird phenomenon is because of the inappropriate charger.

The wireless charger is supplying lesser power than what is consumed by the phone. And the net result turns out to be a power deficit, draining the battery.

A possible solution to this could be to pause all background apps and switch off the data link. That way, the battery usage would be reduced considerably, and hopefully, this could lead to the charging of the battery instead of draining it dry.

#73 Why isn’t my wireless charging working?

A number of reasons could contribute to the wireless charger not working as enumerated below;

• The charged phone may not be Qi-enabled or set for wireless charging.
• The wireless charger’s wall adapter may not be functioning well or may not be compatible with the wireless charger.
• The wireless charger may not be compatible with the charged phone
• The phone may not be appropriately placed on the wireless charging pad.
• The phone case must be increasing the optimum distance between the charger and the phone
• Some metallic objects or the credit card must be stuck between the phone and the charger.
• The phone or the wireless charger may have overheated because of excessive current or voltage.

#74 What can you do to increase the wireless charging connection?

In increase the speed of the wireless connection, you can

• Use a wall adapter for the wireless charger whose output power is about 20% greater than the phone’s power requirement. This way, we can compensate for the wireless charger’s lower efficiency, and the final output of the wireless charger could match the phone’s requirement.
• If possible, turn off the charger or put it in aeroplane mode, that way all the power transmitted by the wireless charger will be utilized in charging the battery rather than running some app in the background.
• Conduct the wireless charging in a cool place to compensate for the heat loss during wireless charging.

#75 How many watts should a fast-charging wireless output be?

The specification of a fast-charging wireless output is anything above 7.5W.

10W / 15W or any other higher output of the wireless charger is considered to be the fast charging output.

Please note that the output voltage in case of charging smartphones remains at 5 V, but the current keeps increasing to deliver higher power.

Effectively output of 5V with 1amp current delivers 5W power, but the same wireless charger when delivering 2amps at 5V would be supplying 10 watts of power. In general power in watts = voltage x current.

#76 Which wireless chargers have fast charging capabilities?

Wireless chargers that deliver an output power of 10W and above are called as fast charging wireless chargers. The prominent makes and models of fast-charging wireless chargers are;

• Apple MagSafe fast wireless chargers.
• Samsung fast wireless chargers. Click here to buy it
• Anker power wave II fast wireless chargers. Click here to buy it
• Belking fast charge wireless chargers. Click here to buy it
• RAEGR Arc 500 Type-C fast charger. Click here to buy it
• Spigen fast charging wireless charger. Click here to buy it

And many such models are available at Amazon, Chroma, Flipkart, BestBuy etc.

#77 How does long range wireless charging work?

The long range wireless chargers work on technology other than electromagnetic induction.

The most popular long-range wireless technology is resonant inductive charging. It uses appropriate capacitance to make the magnetic coils resonate with the same frequency, and the power, in that case, can travel longer.

Check out the wireless charging technologies yet to hit the main stream market – here

Wattup is another technology that converts electrical power into radio waves of a predetermined frequency. The devices receive these RF and again convert it into energy to charge the battery. Using this technology, power can be transmitted up to 15 feet in distance.

On the other hand, the power puck technology uses IR light to transmit power to distances as large as 30 feet. The power delivered is restricted to 2W as of now, but the range is quite significant.

#78 How could wireless charging boost the electric car?

The technology of the electric car is quite developed and mature and can become very popular. But there is a concern of charging the battery.

Wired power supplies to charge the vehicles have been developed. But it suffers from the inherent inconvenience of plugging, unplugging, loose cables, broken cables and so on.

A successful high-power wireless charging of car would mean just parking the car in a particular spot for the required time, and the battery is topped up, without wires and cables.

If this happens, the hassle of charging will be solved, and users would happily opt for electric cars, rather than fossil fuel-driven vehicles.

Read about the electric cars – here

WiTriCity (US) is the leader in wireless car charging system joined in by big names like Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Continental AG (Germany),  ZTE Corporation (China), and HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co. (Germany).

#79 Which tablets have wireless charging?

Though there are many tablets, but not all of them are equipped with wireless charging. The tablets that have inbuilt wireless charging are;

• Amazon Fire HD 8 plus
• Samsung Galaxy Fold
• Huawei Matepad Pro
• Google Nexus 7

The tablets being large in size, the standard wireless chargers are not compatible either in terms of size or output power. And hence even the chargers for tablets are different and specially designed to handle the power requirement.

#80 What is wireless charging on BMW?

It is an innovative programme to design and install wireless charging on BMW Electrified 5-E series.

The BMW wireless charging system does not have the conventional plug-in and charge system.

On the contrary, the system consists of a ground pad, which is mounted on the ground and a car pad that is attached to the underside of the car.

Once the car is parked, ensuring proper alignment of the car pad and the ground pad, wireless charging begins. The cars display screen helps the driver in navigating the car precisely over the charging pad.

Once the car is aligned correctly with the ground pad, the charging can begin with a button press.

The wireless charging trips automatically, as soon as the car battery is fully charged. The BMW wireless car charging system is about 85% efficient and charges the battery fully in about 3 hours.

#81 Which phone first had wireless charging?

Wireless charging as a technology was developed more than 100 years ago. But the first Qi-based wireless charging smartphone, Nokia Lumia 920, was introduced in September 2012.

Currently, more than hundreds of phones from various manufacturers are equipped with technology for wireless charging. These phones are androids as well as iPhone. The first wirelessly enable iPhone was introduced in 2017.