IDK why I’ve never really understood how MagSafe is different from Wireless charging…which I use all the time, without a “magsafe-compatble” iPhone case…. Regular wireless charging doesn’t stick to the phone. Nothing better than just throwing your phone onto a mount that also charges it Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
🌐
Wawcase
wawcase.com › blog › the hidden secrets behind the circle on your iphone case
The Hidden Secrets Behind the Circle on Your iPhone Case
December 12, 2023 - Well, it is an Apple-designed magnet known as MagSafe. This magnet was first introduced in 2006 with the first generation of Macbook Pro and in October 2020 with the release of the iPhone 12 series.
🌐
Medium
medium.com › @souravpan355 › why-the-iphones-case-has-a-circle-308370354889
Why The iPhone’s Case Has a Circle | by Sourav Pan | Medium
April 20, 2023 - Well, it’s because the case, covering the magnets, made them weaker. So Apple added magnets to all their cases to ensure a consistent experience when connecting to MagSafe chargers or accessories, whether you had a case on or not.
🌐
Harper & Blake
harperandblake.co.uk › blogs › news › what-is-the-circle-on-the-back-of-my-iphone-case
What is the circle on the back of my iPhone case? – Harper & Blake
We'll answer all your questions below. 👇 · Long story short, the circle design on the back of certain iPhone cases means it supports MagSafe and has a MagSafe magnet embedded in the case.
🌐
Pink Phone Cases
pinkphonecase.com › blog › what’s the deal with that circle on the back of your phone case?
What’s the Deal With That Circle on the Back of Your Phone Case?
January 6, 2025 - The circle on the back of phone cases is the hallmark of MagSafe technology (Apple’s play here), and its purpose is purely functional. The circle isn’t just a white or black ring.
🌐
Medium
medium.com › @casenixx_81838 › the-curious-case-of-why-do-iphone-cases-have-a-circle-f7c1c299a484
The Curious Case of Why Do iPhone Cases Have a Circle | by Casenixx | Medium
October 17, 2024 - Technological advancements provide ... of your case is not just a design element; it symbolizes a broader trend in the industry of making functionality as streamlined as possible....
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/iphone › super dumb question about magsafe - what's its purpose? do cases have to have the circle + line?
r/iphone on Reddit: Super dumb question about MagSafe - what's its purpose? Do cases have to have the Circle + Line?
November 14, 2022 -

Many "MagSafe" iPhone cases + accessories have that white circle with the line on them;

Does an accessory HAVE to have that circle + line in order for MagSafe to function?

If MagSafe is magnetic, can't the magnets just work through like 1mm of a "non-magsafe" case?

Example: iPhone 14 Clear Case w/MagSafe - Apple Official

That "MagSafe" case has the cirlce & line.

This case does *not* have the cirlce & line = iPhone SE Silicone Case - Apple - and/or does NOT claim to be "MagSafe Compatible"; does that mean this case will not work *at all* with any MagSafe accessories?

IDK why I've never really understood how MagSafe is different from Wireless charging...which I use all the time, without a "magsafe-compatble" iPhone case....

What is MagSafe's value prop / purpose, apart from being yet another proprietary apple way to make insane amounts of cash?

Why and how is magsafe different / better than regular old Qi-Standard wireless charging that's been available in iPhones + many androids for years now?

Thanks!

####

***ETA:***

  1. So, if I buy Apple's MagSafe battery pack will it work with my phone, even if I do NOT have a "magsafe compatible / certified" case, and instead just have a plain plastic iPhone case?

2. I guess I should have spent more time on Google... :-|

This link was really helpful in explaining MagSafe's value prop:

https://www.howtogeek.com/695827/what-is-magsafe-for-iphone-12-and-what-can-it-do/

>Apple first introduced **wireless charging** alongside the iPhone 8, but until now this has **capped out at 7.5w**. **MagSafe doubles the throughput to 15w**... But there’s a catch. For an iPhone that uses MagSafe to reach those speeds, you’ll need to use an Apple-approved charge. You’ll be limited to the old 7.5w speed if you use any old “off-brand” Qi charger.

>But MagSafe isn’t just about speed, it’s also about ease of use. **One of the biggest problems with wireless charging is finding the “sweet spot” where the charger and device close the circuit.** This is something you’ll be familiar with if you’ve ever put your smartphone on a wireless charging pad and returned 30 minutes later to see that it hasn’t charged at all.

>**MagSafe aims to solve this issue by snapping the charger into place on the back of the iPhone. This creates a perfect circuit every time, with enough magnetic force to keep the iPhone and charger firmly in place.** Belkin’s new three-in-one MagSafe wireless charger for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods demonstrates this by showing the charger holding the iPhone 12 at a 45-degree angle.

.

🌐
CASER LONDON
caserlondon.com › journal › what is the magsafe circle on iphone cases and why?
What is the MagSafe Circle on iPhone Cases and Why? – CASER LONDON
March 26, 2025 - The circle marks the precise placement of magnets within the case, ensuring a secure connection between your phone and MagSafe accessories. In addition to the circular ring, some cases also feature a vertical line below the circle.
🌐
Devicology
devicology.com › blog › features › why iphone cases have that white circle at the back
Why iPhone Cases Have That White Circle at the Back - Devicology
July 25, 2025 - But when I used the MagSafe case, the phone snapped onto the charger quickly and charging became fast. This is because the white circle on iPhone case is actually a magnetic alignment system with small magnets inside.
🌐
MagSafeHub
magsafehub.com › why-do-magsafe-cases-have-circle
Why Do MagSafe Cases Have That White Circle? - MagSafeHub
October 24, 2023 - However, on clear cases made of polycarbonate or TPU, the magnets are plainly visible through the transparent material. Apple consolidates all these small magnets into a single white circle as well as a tiny strip below it.
Find elsewhere
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 252596864
White circle - Apple Community
I have an iPhone 12 Pro and a MagSafe compatible case from Apple.. when put on my case I get a white circle and I believe it's just indicating that something MagSafe compatible was just installed/recognized/detected
🌐
How-To Geek
howtogeek.com › home › apple iphone › what is the circle on phone cases?
What Is the Circle on Phone Cases?
December 26, 2024 - MagSafe uses a large circular magnet array for the secure connection, with one additional magnet below the main ring that helps align accessories. Many iPhone cases have a similar ring to help MagSafe work through the case. Without those magnets in the case, accessories like MagSafe wallets and chargers would slide off the back of the phone.
🌐
TikTok
tiktok.com › discover › wat-does-the-circle-on-the-back-of-a-iphone-case-do
Wat Does The Circle on The Back of A Iphone Case Do | TikTok
August 25, 2025 - #iphone #tech #techtok #magsafe #apple Understanding MagSafe on iPhones. Learn about MagSafe, the white circle on the back of the latest iPhone models that allows you to attach various accessories like wallets and wireless chargers.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255891587
Circular mark on iPhone 15 Pro even witho… - Apple Community
Your iPhone 15 Pro has a glass back. The MagSafe circular mark that you are describing did not come from the inside of the iPhone. I suspect that you may be using a MagSafe case for your iPhone. Some MagSafe cases leave a mark on the back of the iPhone because that’s where the magnets are located inside the case.
🌐
TikTok
tiktok.com › discover › what-is-the-circle-on-the-back-of-your-phone-case-for
What Is The Circle on The Back of Your Phone Case for | TikTok
3 weeks ago - Pretty cool, huh? #magsafe #magnetic #iphonecase #techtok #fy Understanding Magnetic iPhone Cases and Their Uses. Explore the benefits and uses of magnetic iPhone cases with a circle on the back, including compatibility with chargers and mounts.
🌐
TikTok
tiktok.com › ray (@raytech7r) | tiktok › reply to @profilemame magsafe explain it’s kind of cool to have and it can be pretty convenient at times. #iphone #tech #techtok #magsafe #apple
Reply to @profilemame MagSafe explain it’s kind of cool to have and it can be pretty convenient at times. #iphone #tech #techtok #magsafe #apple | TikTok
1823 Likes, 59 Comments. TikTok video from Ray (@raytech7r): “Reply to @profilemame MagSafe explain it’s kind of cool to have and it can be pretty convenient at times. #iphone #tech #techtok #magsafe #apple”. Aglow (Intro) - Slowed Down Version - Karamel Kel.
🌐
TikTok
tiktok.com › discover › what-is-the-purpose-of-the-circle-thing-on-phone-cases
What Is The Purpose of The Circle Thing on Phone Cases | TikTok
October 6, 2025 - I always wondered why everyone had circles on the back of their phone cases… now I know it’s the magnet 😂 #fyp #tts #ttshop #ttsaffiliate #magneticphonecase #iphonecase #momtok Magnetic Phone Cases: A Must-Have for Moms.