No matter how old your iPhone is, there are a few things you can do to check if it supports wireless charging.
The simplest way is by determining whether your iPhone has a glass back, because this allows an iPhone’s receiver coil to connect with a wireless charging pad’s induction coil, thus enabling your phone to charge wirelessly. Nevertheless, if you’re still not sure about your iPhone’s compatibility, here are the steps you should take to check if your old iPhone supports wireless charging:
- Identify Your iPhone Model
First, identify the iPhone model you have by one of the following methods:
- Checking the Model Number: Go to Settings > General > About, and look for the “Model Number."
- Physically Identifying the Model: You can also identify your iPhone model by its physical features, such as the camera placement and size, or by checking the box if you still have it. Older iPhone models such as the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus also still have a home button! This distinguishes them easily.
- Check Wireless Charging Compatibility
As a general rule, wireless charging is supported on iPhone models starting from the iPhone 8 onwards. We’ve outlined these iPhones below for your convenience, and any future models should also support wireless charging:
- iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 series (Mini, Pro, Pro Max)
- iPhone 13 series (Mini, Pro, Pro Max)
- iPhone 14 series (Plus, Pro, Pro Max)
- Test with a Wireless Charger
If you’re unable to determine your iPhone model, you can proactively test your iPhone with any wireless charger. Place your iPhone on a plugged-in wireless charging pad of your choosing. If your older iPhone supports wireless charging, you should see the battery charging icon appear on the screen!
Investing in an official Apple wireless charger is best to receive the best performance and most efficient charging possible. By following the brief steps we’ve listed above, it’s easy to determine whether your old iPhone supports wireless charging or not!
To purchase an Apple wireless charger that is guaranteed to be compatible with all iPhone models from the 8 onwards, don’t hesitate to check out the iGadget website. From our location in New Zealand, we stock a wide range of iPhone accessories and parts, maximising your mobile experience.