Want to speed up your wireless charging? Discover practical tips and tricks to maximize charging speed and get your devices powered up faster.
Introduction
Tired of waiting hours for your phone to charge wirelessly? You’re not alone! Everyone has been there, watching that slow progress bar crawl.
We all want faster wireless charging, especially when we’re on the go or need our devices powered up urgently. Fortunately, there are ways to speed up your wireless charging speed without splurging on a new device or charger. It’s all about making a few adjustments, understanding your device’s charging capabilities, and using the right tools.
In this post, I’ll walk you through several wireless charging tips and tricks that can help get your phone charged faster wirelessly. Whether you’re struggling with slow wireless charging or just want to optimize your setup, these tips are for you!
Use a High-Wattage Wireless Charger
Okay, let’s get technical for a sec. The first step to speeding up wireless charging is to make sure you’re using a charger with a high wattage. In simple terms, higher wattage = faster charging.
Most wireless chargers these days range from 5W to 30W, but if you’re serious about speed, you’ll want a charger that supports at least 15W fast wireless charging or higher. For example, if you’re using an older 5W charger, your phone will charge slowly no matter how good your device is. But don’t worry, investing in a high-wattage charger isn’t too expensive, and the difference in speed is noticeable.
Phones like the iPhone 12 and later support up to 15W wireless charging, and some Android phones go up to 30W wireless charging. Just be sure to match your charger’s wattage with your phone’s capabilities, or else you’re just leaving speed on the table!
| Wattage | Charging Speed |
|---|---|
| 5W | Slow charging |
| 15W | Moderate charging |
| 30W | Fast charging |
Ensure Your Phone Supports Fast Wireless Charging
So, you’ve got your hands on a cool new charger—now, does your phone even support fast wireless charging?
Many devices, especially older models, don’t support fast wireless charging, so you’ll want to check before blaming your charger.
For example, older iPhones only support 7.5W wireless charging, but newer models, starting with the iPhone 8, are compatible with 15W wireless charging (as long as you’ve got the right equipment). Android phones typically support a broader range of wireless charging speeds, with some flagship models hitting up to 30W wireless charging or more.
Don’t worry—if your phone doesn’t support it, you can still charge wirelessly, but it’s going to be slower. Always double-check your phone’s specs to make sure you’re getting the most out of your charger.
Place Your Device Correctly on the Charging Pad
This may sound obvious, but it’s something I’ve learned the hard way. If your phone isn’t properly aligned on the wireless charging pad, you’re not going to get optimal charging speeds. There’s a sweet spot where your device and charger’s coils need to line up. If the alignment is off by even a little, your wireless charging speed will take a hit.
I used to get frustrated when my phone was charging slowly even though I had everything plugged in right. Turns out, I was just a few millimeters off-center! So, when you place your phone on the pad, make sure it’s centered and aligned correctly. Some chargers even have indicators to show you when it’s in the right spot.
| Tips for Correct Placement | What Happens If Not Aligned Properly |
|---|---|
| Center your phone over the charging pad | Slow charging speed |
| Ensure the device is aligned with charging coils | No charging or intermittent charging |
| Look for alignment indicators | Overheating or excessive power consumption |
Remove the Phone Case for Optimal Charging
Here’s one that catches a lot of people off guard: phone cases can really mess with wireless charging speeds. Especially if your case is thick, made of metal, or has certain materials that interfere with wireless charging efficiency.
I didn’t realize this at first, and my phone’s charging speed seemed to crawl when I had my case on. The worst part? I was using a “fast charger” and didn’t even think about removing my bulky case. As soon as I took it off, the charging time sped up significantly.
So, if you’re looking for faster wireless charging, try taking your case off—or at least use a case that’s compatible with wireless charging (there are slim, wireless-friendly options available). If you really need to charge with the case on, consider investing in a thinner, more wireless-charging-compatible case.
Use a Charger with Cooling Features
Now, let’s talk heat. Wireless charging creates heat, and heat slows everything down.
When your phone or charger overheats, the charging speed drops as a safety measure to protect the battery. To prevent this, many modern wireless chargers come with built-in cooling features or heat dissipation technology.
I had a wireless charger that used to overheat after about 30 minutes of charging, which caused it to slow down dramatically. That was until I switched to a charger with a cooling fan or heat management system. Now, the charger stays cool, and the device charges at the speed it’s supposed to.
Look for wireless chargers that advertise “heat management” or “cooling” features. They’re often pricier but worth it for a faster, safer charge.
Turn Off Power-Hungry Apps During Charging
It may seem like your phone is charging just fine, but did you know that running power-hungry apps can slow down the process? I used to wonder why my phone wasn’t charging faster while I was gaming or watching videos. It turns out that these activities consume a lot of power, which competes with the wireless charging process.
To give your phone the best chance at fast wireless charging, close out apps that are using a lot of processing power. This includes anything that streams video, uses GPS, or runs in the background. It’s not a perfect solution, but it helps!
| Apps That Slow Down Charging | Power-Hungry Apps |
|---|---|
| Social media apps | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Video streaming apps | Netflix, YouTube |
| Gaming apps | PUBG, Fortnite |
| Navigation apps | Google Maps |
Charge in a Cooler Environment
Here’s something that most people overlook: temperature affects charging speed. Charging in a super hot or humid room can cause your phone to overheat, which makes it slow down. I once left my phone charging in the hot car on a summer day (big mistake!) and it charged incredibly slowly.
Whenever you can, charge your phone in a cooler room or on a flat surface that won’t trap heat. Even placing it on a cooler countertop instead of a bed can make a noticeable difference. If your phone starts feeling too hot while charging, try moving it to a more temperature-friendly area.
Conclusion
Wireless charging is incredibly convenient, but sometimes it can feel like it takes forever. By following these tips—choosing the right charger, ensuring proper alignment, removing your case, and keeping your phone cool—you can speed up wireless charging significantly. It’s all about finding the right balance between your device’s capabilities and the charging tools you use.
Have you tried any of these tips before? Or maybe you have your own wireless charging hacks? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you! And remember, next time you’re waiting for your phone to charge, just know that a few simple adjustments can make all the difference!
