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iPhone 12 Pro Max not wirelessly charging

Received my iPhone 12 Pro Max today but it won't wirelessly charge on any of the three Q1 chargers I have. My XS Max and wife's X all work fine. Why is this? I have the Apple silicone case but with the case or without it still won't charge. Starts for a few seconds then the chargers flash a few times and it stops charging.


Have tried the following:


Erase Network Settings - Didn't work

Hard reset (Volume up / Volume down / hold power until Apple logo shows) - Didn't work


Seeing lots of similar posts on other forums. Perhaps the magnets are interfering and Apple just want you to get a Magsafe charger instead?


(Had to select iPhone 11 Pro Max for what device am I referring too as 12 Pro Max not listed)

iPhone 11 Pro Max

Posted on Nov 13, 2020 5:20 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 18, 2020 9:06 AM

I just bought my 12 Pro Max on Friday (11/13) and last night (11/17), the wireless charging stopped working. I found a video on YouTube that indicates that turning the phone off and then back on will temporarily resolve the issue and that installing iOS 14.2 will resolve it. I tried turning it off and back on and it did start wirelessly charging after that. Installing iOS 14.2 now. In the "About this Update" document, it indicate that the 14.2 release does fix the following issue (among others):

    • Devices could be prevented from charging wirelessly


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvZeIpmtgEs

278 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 18, 2020 9:06 AM in response to wozwebs

I just bought my 12 Pro Max on Friday (11/13) and last night (11/17), the wireless charging stopped working. I found a video on YouTube that indicates that turning the phone off and then back on will temporarily resolve the issue and that installing iOS 14.2 will resolve it. I tried turning it off and back on and it did start wirelessly charging after that. Installing iOS 14.2 now. In the "About this Update" document, it indicate that the 14.2 release does fix the following issue (among others):

    • Devices could be prevented from charging wirelessly


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvZeIpmtgEs

Dec 26, 2020 8:11 AM in response to RPBarnes

True, I did buy new chargers, so let me correct my comment. For "ME" the charging issue is resolved. If you are waiting for something else to come from Apple on this after they have now released two updates on Wireless Charging issues since iPhone 12 was released, the update you seek may never be forthcoming. So, where does that leave you? You can post here on a user to user only forum, which Apple engineering doesn't read or contribute to. Or you can do something like I and many others have and move on to chargers which do work.


I would recommend you let Apple know you're still experiencing issues by providing feedback through this link --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Nov 19, 2020 8:12 AM in response to EricWA

We had this issue on one of our chargers. I found a couple things which can cause this.


The new phones being Magsafe compatible likely put the charging plate on the back of iPhone 12 in a different position.

Many older chargers don't have higher wattage QC3.0 charging bricks

Many older chargers don't have dual charging plates


So, I replace the charger which didn't play well with our new phones and they are now charging perfectly. The new charger has dual plates AND an 18W QC3.0 brick.

Nov 26, 2020 6:44 AM in response to TimG150

Dear TimG150, with 4 points, you haven't been around these parts long. I appreciate you think you know how this forum works, but you don't. Other than Forum Hosts who review posts for violation of terms of use, and Specialists who answer questions which have gone unanswered for 24 hours, Apple isn't here. It's NOT Fake News. It's Fact and I think having been on this forum for more than a decade helping people gives me a bit of an edge over someone who is clearly unfamiliar with the forum.


If you want to get Apple's attention, you do one of the following:


Provide feedback via the official Apple Feedback link --> https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

You use the Contact Support button at the top of this page

You call Apple directly 800-MY-APPLE (US Number)

You schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar


But you are NOT getting Apple's attention by joining the "me too" chorus on this user to user ONLY forum.


Dec 17, 2020 5:00 PM in response to RQTS

RQTS wrote:

In fact, I bought 4 IPhone12 pro max, other 3 work normally, and the wireless charging is also normal. Only my phone cannot be charged normally. I have tried several wireless chargers. Still unable to charge. After coming here to discuss it, I discovered that this is a problem that many people have.


Just because others have an issue does not mean it has the same root cause.


Especially since you have others that do charge on your chargers, I would recommend you reach out to Apple Support directly and inform them of what you've stated here.


Contact - Official Apple Support

Dec 28, 2020 7:21 AM in response to hugsmindy

Asking Apple to do anything here on this user to user forum will get you nothing from Apple. Apple doesn't participate here.


Apple has also released two iOS updates since iPhone 12 was released, specifically addressing wireless charging issues. Whether any more will be coming, only Apple knows, but I doubt it at this point.


If you want Apple to know you're still having an issue with this, you should provide feedback via this link --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple


I understand you are continuing to reboot and then your phone charges. Since changing out my charger to a newer charger with dual charging coils and an 18W QC3.0 brick, it has been now over a month and I have not had to reboot once and I'm getting a reliable full charge every night.



Dec 17, 2020 7:11 AM in response to nicholefrommccall

After EVERY iOS update, it is advisable to Force Restart your phone. I'm betting after you do , your phone will charge correctly.


  • Press and quickly release volume up button
  • Then press and quickly release volume down button
  • Then press and KEEP HOLDING the side power button (keep holding past the swipe to power off) until you see the Apple Logo, then let go

Jan 8, 2021 5:54 AM in response to wozwebs

I too am having this design or software issue both my 12 max and 12 mini stopped charging with new purchased mag safe changers . both the standalone MagSafe disc . and the foldable Magsafe for the phone and watch.


Tested it the following way :

  1. the Magsafe combo unit watch changing worked the iPhone did not on both phones, 2000.00 and apple can not this right ?
  2. the Magsafe disk 39.00 purchase from Best Buy both phone worked then a day later no work.

What finally solved the issue was rebooting the phone completely . but it still happens but a reboot fixed for awhile .

iOS current release as of 01-8-2021. please fix your software . you can do better :)

Feb 18, 2021 6:56 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Neither of the 2 cases I bought (both from Amazon), said anything about being MagSafe ready. I did try the other case just now, to see if I had any success with that one. The case was: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MQDNT28/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1


  • It was that case that had said on Amazon "[WIRELESS CHARGING]: This case will not block the wireless charging signal, make your iPhone 12 Pro Max charging fast with your wireless chargers without taking out the phone from case." But, I take that with a grain of salt. Sadly tho, that case did not work for wireless charging either, in spite of the claim otherwise.


I forgot to show the first case mentioned that I got from Amazon in my previous post. It was : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08N5SPLY8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


The second case was only $17. As I previously stated, the first case was $23.


So, as far as cases go, it's really no big loss considering the price. I was just hoping against hope one of the cases would work for wireless charging, as I am really not comfortable at all using or charging my iPhone without a protective case on it. Will see what happens.



Nov 13, 2020 9:13 PM in response to wozwebs

So far I haven't had any issues with mine charging on my Belkin wireless stand charger...it's currently in a Otterbox Symmetry case. Mom also hasn't had any issues. Hopefully I'm not just lucky and this is an issue that affects a small percentage (compared to how many users are out there). You may need to contact Apple Support directly if you're positive that the chargers you are using should work. I know once upon a time there was a Belkin stand charger (not wireless) that wouldn't work with the newest release iPhone at first...there suggestion was that people by an updated on. Randomly months later it worked perfectly fine so I imagine an update in iOS addressed whatever the issue was. Not saying that's what is going on here but it's possible

Nov 19, 2020 8:19 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Interesting! I’ll try some different chargers and report back what I find. Would you mind sharing which charger you are using? I’d like to get mine replaced ASAP.


The mophie I have (3 in one from the Apple store) doesn’t have a usb cable but the charging brick states an output of 19V 1.3A. I believe the belkins are the same (no usb cable).

Nov 19, 2020 8:49 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Thanks, I just ordered one. Are you using the wall cube that came with it?


You got me thinking so I did some short term tests on the Belkin. In landscape mode the phone seems to charge fine. However, in landscape if it’s not perfectly centered on the charger the phone charges for a few seconds and stops (which is the same thing it does in portrait). So, I believe your comment regarding the charging coils is spot on. Some chargers must have the coils slightly in the wrong place for the 12 Max. I’ll try raising the phone up a bit in portrait to see if that works.


I’ll keep playing around just to verify my findings. It would be great if someone else can try charging landscape. If the phone exhibits the same behavior as portrait try offsetting the phone on the charger a 1/4” instead of centered.

Nov 19, 2020 8:57 AM in response to EricWA

I should have suggested you try landscape on the Belkin. It likely only has one charger as opposed to employing dual chargers.


I am using the 18W QC3.0 brick which came with the new charger I ordered. I didn't mind paying $49 for a better charger, which came with a better quality brick.


I'm convinced the charging issues are all influenced in the placement of charge plate on the back of the new phones because of the Magsafe system. But that doesn't mean we will have to adopt Magsafe charging. My preference is slow charging at night while I sleep. Our phones are now getting the maximum 7.5W charge on our new charging stands, which to me is ideal.

Nov 19, 2020 9:03 AM in response to EricWA

I am using the new 20W brick from apple, with the new Apple MagSafe charger. I also have a wireless morphie, and wireless obio (Costco).


The issue is occurring randomly. But when it does occur, none of the wireless chargers work.


After a I do a reboot of the phone, it allows the wireless charging for about 36 hours until it occurs again.

iPhone 12 Pro Max not wirelessly charging

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