How To Fix iPhone 12 MagSafe Charging Bug In iOS 14
iPhone 12 stuck on MagSafe Charging Ring animation
Is your iPhone 12 or 12 Pro device having problems when you attempt to charge it with the help of Apple’s new MagSafe charger? You’re not alone. In some cases, the iPhone 12 remains stuck displaying the MagSafe charger animation. The animation doesn’t play out fully. The charging icon isn’t displayed in the middle of the ring and neither does the remaining battery percentage. The device doesn’t start charging and freezes in this state.
Disconnecting the charger doesn’t help!
Force restart your iPhone 12 to fix the MagSafe charging problem! Quickly press and release Volume Up, followed by Volume Down. Next, press & hold the Side Button until the Apple logo is displayed on the screen. Release and be patient until the device reboots!
iPhone 12 MagSafe Charging Bug
However, power cycling your iPhone only helps to revive your device. It doesn’t fix the cause and the problem will reoccur when the same circumstances are met.
Fact: The user that reported this problem to us mentioned that he was using his iPhone 12 Pro with an original Apple Silicone case, when the charging glitch occurred. Rebooting his iPhone was the only way to unfreeze it from displaying the MagSafe charging ring!
Causes for iPhone 12 MagSafe Charging Issue
The problem doesn’t occur when the device is charged naked, without the case. Apparently, the issue is related to the fact that the magnetic case prevents the iPhone from properly communicating with the MagSafe charger. This can be caused by a case manufacturing flaw. We’ve already reported about Apple iPhone 12 Silicone cases that shipped without speaker and microphone holes. Poorly centered MagSafe rings wouldn’t be a surprise!
The iPhone 12 MagSafe charging problem could be also caused by an iOS 14 software bug. To better pinpoint the cause of this issue, we need more reports!
If you also encounter problems when you attempt to charge your iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max with a MagSafe charger, please use the comments section available below and share the problem with us. Do mention if you’re using a case or not.
Fact: This problem was reported through our Report Bugs page. If you’re also experiencing a problem with your iPhone don’t hesitate to ask for help!
Related: Check out our collection of the best iPhone 12 cases!
I just got a MagSafe case from Apple as well as the MagSafe charger, and ran into this bug immediately with my phone.
Kevin, thanks for confirming. Have you updated your iPhone 12 update to iOS 14.2?
I just received my IPhone 12 Pro Max. My phone does not charge at all with the MagSafe. I am running iOS 14.2. No case and I’ve tried multiple outlets, plugs and power cycled several times. Nothing works. The same MagSafe charges my wife’s 12 Pro perfectly. So sorry I’m thinking the Max has an issue unknown to Apple at this point
Brac, thank you for your feedback. This is the first report that we get about an iPhone 12 model not charging at all with the MagSafe charger. We will open a separate topic about this problem and see if anyone else has this issue with the 12 Pro Max. Update: new topic available here
Have you contacted Apple support? Did they provide any troubleshooting steps, or offered to replace your device? Please keep us updated.
My iphone 12 pro max is charging using magsafe but does not show the magsafe animation when i placed my phone. I called apple support and they don’t have idea or answer about it.
William, thanks for sharing your MagSafe charging experience. Now, we have them all iPhone 12 stuck on animation screen (requires reboot to fix), iPhone 12 Pro Max not charging at all and not playing animation and your case iPhone 12 Pro Max charging but no animation.
Can you please mention if you’re trying to charge it naked or while using a MagSafe case? Does it make any difference?
P.S: I assume that you rebooted your device in an attempt to fix this…
I am getting exactly the same with my iPhone 12 Pro Max. No animation at all. It still charges but I do not see the charging circle when I put it on the charger. I have tried with and without the case.
Just got an Iphone 12 and last night it wouldn’t charge at all with the magsafe. Not with or without my (original apple) case. Didn’t even play the animation. Rebooted and it worked again. Hoping this bug doesn’t reoccur too often. Don’t want to have to reboot my iphone every few times I try to charge it 😅
Thea, thanks for informing us. I guess you can consider yourself on the lucky side. We’ve got two reports of users of brand new iPhone 12 Pro Max models that don’t charge at all with MagSafe. Rebooting didn’t help either: https://www.iphonetricks.org/iphone-12-pro-max-not-charging-with-magsafe/
Please keep us updated if this bug resurfaces again on your device.
Mine wouldn’t work either, after hours of stress and investigation realised the MagSafe doesn’t work with usb c to USB adapter The power doesn’t get through purchased a USB C plug and now it’s all good. Not sure if this helps anyone else but good luck
Graham, thanks for sharing your findings. We will update your info in the main content of the article to make it stand out for other readers too.
12 Pro Max on iOS 14.2.1 and the MagSafe animation has stopped working completely with an Apple leather case. I’m sure it was ok after the iOS update but not fully sure. I’ve rebooted, hard reset my iPhone and still not working. So now I don’t know if the iPhone is playing up with the firmware update or it’s the MagSafe case or what it is, Either way it’s annoying cus in the ‘old days’ I just fitted a case and didn’t care! lol.
Richard, thanks for sharing this. MagSafe seems to be working erratically for many users. Just to be sure, you’re checking it while on Lock Screen correct? More details available here: https://www.iphonetricks.org/iphone-12-pro-magsafe-animations/
Iphone 12 pro
Didn’t charge on MagSafe
Using otter box MagSafe case.
Restarted phone then worked
Using iOS 14.2.1
KT, thanks for sharing. Does it charge if you remove the case?
Does anyone feel this has been solved? My Magsafe charger just arrived and does nothing with the iphone 12 mini. Connecting via Macbook or wall, no animation, no charging. Reset does not help also.
Locked screen, or unlocked, tried everything.
Michal, this sounds frustrating. There’s not much you can do unfortunately. Do you have a friend or relative with an iPhone 12 model to test out if the MagSafe charger works with another device? If it doesn’t the puck might be faulty and you might have to ask for a replacement unit. Let us know if you manage to solve this.
I’ve received my MagSafe charger today and my iPhone 12 does not charge, just heats up. Power level keeps going down. I’ve tried it with the silicone and clear case as well as naked. Nothing. Restarting results in zero positive change. Sometimes the animation shows, sometimes not. Really, Apple?
Do you have any other iPhone 12 unit nearby? A family member or a friend? Try your MagSafe charger with another device. If it still doesn’t charge it means that your MagSafe puck shipped with a manufacturing flaw. This was reported by other readers, that ended up receiving a replacement unit from Apple.
I have also problems with the Apple silicon case animation. iphone 12.
i bought the black silicone case and it worked there for a few days.
then suddenly not anymore. I then tried the following:
-restart
-resett
-clean the case.
did not help anything.
then i sent the black silicon case back and got a new blue one.
Same process here.
after a few days the animation didn’t work anymore.
I don’t know whether it’s because of the cell phone or the cases.
maybe the cases can only show the animation for a limited time?
Actually not a big deal if the animation doesn’t work but it’s kind of stupid anyway.
Because you paid so much money.
Fox, you’re aware that the animation plays only when the Lock Screen is on, correct?
Hey Patricia,
of course I know when it works and when it doesn’t.
there are many videos from youtube where you can see when it is displayed.
it was also possible at the beginning.
no matter how I do it it doesn’t work.
Fuchs, thanks for getting back. This is strange. It wouldn’t make sense for the animation to show only for a limited number of cycles. It must be a software glitch that prevents the animation from playing once the case has been registered in the logs, or something similar. iOS 14.3 is due soon. Let’s see if it will sort this MagSafe animation bug too.
Using 12 ProMax, 14.3
MagSafe stopped working, performed a hard restart, now it’s working.
I have never seen the animation
Thanks for solving my problem
Steve
Steve, you’re welcome. Glad that we could help. I hope that the issue won’t reoccur!
Same here. New iPhone 12. New MagSafe charger. No case. No charge. I only tried once. I’m tired of fighting.
Christa, do you have a friend or family member that also own an iPhone 12-range device? Check if your MagSafe charger is able to juice them up. If it’s not, you have to return the charger as it probably shipped faulty!
New iPhone 12 Pro with Mag Safe compatible Apple Case. The Phone cycles charging on for 10 – 15 seconds then off then back on again. Cycling continues while ever the Mag Safe is on. Same behavior with the case removed. Tested on multiple power outlets. Frustrating.
Steve, have you rebooted your iPhone with the device connected to the MagSafe charger?
iPhone 12 Pro Max (Dec 2020) – charged fine on MagSafe for a few weeks then stopped! No animation, no charging with or without case – powered off & reset – still not working. Just got off the phone to Apple Support (10/1/21) – they denied the problem existed and said I was the first call about it!!! Their solution was I could send the MagSafe and/or phone back for checks which would take 2 weeks, or visit a store (which I can’t do in lockdown) – so – back to cable charging – very frustrating and Apple response worse than useless
Julie, have you tried to force restart it while keeping it connected to the MagSafe puck?
Hi Patricia – yes I have done this – appeared to work ……but although I get the “ping” that MagSafe is connected, it still does not charge! Driving me nuts as that charger was an extra £50 – guess I will have to wait until lockdown ends and go to a store to talk to an Apple “genius”!!
PS – have just updated to 14.3 and it appears to be working – let’s hope it’s fixed – just wish Apple would listen instead of denying issues
Thanks for your help 😀
Julue, thanks for getting back to us. Please also inform us if the problem returns in the upcoming days.
Had issue with my iPhone 12 Pro and MagSafe , nothing happens at all with it without MagSafe case, did force restart nothing running on iOS 14.3 . Spent about an hour on Apple support who were less than helpful and first support person said she was unaware of any issues with MagSafe?! Wish I knew them what I know now what a waste of £80
Graham, did you try to force restart with the puck still connected to the iPhone?
iPhone 12 Mini on iOS 14.4 beta GM (or whatever they call it now). Had the 12 mini since the beginning of December and have had on and off luck with various Qi chargers. Got the Magsafe hoping it’d help it out, complete with a 20 watt Apple brick. No luck. Resets sometimes don’t even work. Been using it caseless the whole time, because putting a case on such a beautiful device feels like a sin.
Nuff, thanks for sharing your MagSafe charging feedback. Has the situation improved with the public release of iOS 14.4?
Same here. Recently I updated iOS. Before update everything was working perfectly. Soon after updating MagSafe charger with original MagSafe case from Apple giving me big trouble. Frustrating with investment on case.
Can you please mention your current iOS version?
Have an iphone12. Just bought mag safe. Does not charge with or without case. Have IOS 14.3. What should I do?
Keep the iPhone connected to the MagSafe charger and force restart the iPhone. It should start charging after it reboots!
Magsafe charging animation doesn’t playing while charging. I have Apple Magsafe charger and Apple iPhone12 Pro with any case. Can you provide some solutions
You’re aware that the animation is played only when the device is locked, correct?
I bought a magsafe charger for my 12 pro and it attached with magnet but didn’t do anything. I tried the restart made sure the software was updated and still nothing. I also tried to see if it would charge my EarPod pro’s and nothing there as well. Pretty sure my charger is a dud.
You could have ended up with a bricked charger in the box. Try charging a different iPhone 12 with it. If it still doesn’t work, return it and ask for a replacement unit.
I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max and I just recently ran into this issue. It happens with or without a case on unfortunately. I have tried multiple wireless charging stations and they all just blink as if there is an error. When I set my phone on to charge, nothing at all happens as if I’m not even trying to charge it and then the charging station will blink repetitively.
Have you tried with the original Apple MagSafe charger too?
So I’ve just got an iPhone 12 and using the MagSafe it shows that it is charging with the correct symbol but does not actually charge it at all.
I have it updated and also have tried rebooting it.
Any ideas ? I do have the hardware warranty; do you think I need to use it?
Regards
Are you using a case? Also try to find another iPhone 12 owner and test your charger to see if it works with a different unit. Or find a friend with a MagSafe charger and try to juice your device. Let us know how this ends up as I am also curios who’s to blame? The charger or the phone?
I think it’s a software issue. I’ve had the whole back of my iPhone replaced and now the whole phone replaced and it still does it. It only worked on iOS 14.1 for me.
Software issue is always better than hardware flaw. Let’s hope that Apple will be able to fine tune MagSafe in the upcoming updates. Please keep us updated on your situation.
I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max (256GB, if it changed something).
Never charged with a MagSafe. After some extensive testing and 3 call with Apple support, the only way to get it to charge with a MagSafe was to turn the phone off and put in while turned off on the MagSafe. But as soon as I take it off of it and put it back, nothing. I get the animation ans everything. The phone tells me it’s charging but it’s not.
It does it event after a factory reset. I went to an Apple store, they did a wired back replacement (all of the back, including the wireless charging assembly), still the same.
Went back today, they changed the whole phone. It worked, until I did a software update… So as far as I know, I’ve got it to work only on iOS 14.1 (which was the software version of the phone they gave me).
A bit despaired right now. I’ll be contacting Apple yet again tomorrow but to be honest, it now seems to me like a software issue and is unlikely to get solved. Oh, and a big waste of time on my part!
Benoit, many thanks for your report. Yes, MagSafe can be very glitchy in some cases. Please keep us updated with how this unfolds as we are curious too.
Try to keep your iPhone connected to the MagSafe charger and perform a force restart is instructed in the article.
Does it help?
I have a 12 Pro Max. Worked flawlessly with MagSafe for the first 6 weeks. This past week charges so slow it sometimes doesn’t increase battery life at all. Though still shows it’s charging. My guess seems to be software. Spoke with apple. No solution was found. Using an aftermarket case and tried on different MagSafe chargers as well as without the case. No improvement.
Have you tried to reboot your iPhone while connected to the MagSafe charger?
Latecomer here – I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max with Apple clear case, currently on iOS 15.3.1. I only briefly get the charge animation. Very rarely, the iPhone charge status freezes and the phone refuses to charge. It’s happened 2-3 times over the last year (2021). I restart the phone and the problem generally goes away for a while. Happened again today, so I found this. Next I’ll try the reset sequence described herein.
Mine is a bit old now, but it’s only in 2022 started doing this. I use the clear plastic case with charging ring on it and my phone only intermittently displays this problem. It vibrates, it says its charging, the ring icon goes away, a lightning bolt appears over the battery to say it’s charging (or sometimes doesn’t) then overnight while I’m sleeping, it doesn’t charge. I have to reboot it in the morning then start again while I’m getting ready for work. It’s very annoying. I have dropped my phone a few times now so it could be that but also I think it’s a software bug since it works fine again for maybe a week or two after rebooting.
Thanks for the feedback Shannon. Is there a chance that the charger might work intermittently. Does it have any visible damage? is it possible to try with another charger and see if it acts the same.
Tip: You can easily purchase a new USB-C to MagSafe Apple Watch charging cable from Amazon.