How to Enable Wireless Charging on Android
What’s happening
When I first tried wireless charging on my Google Pixel 7, the phone didn’t charge at all — no vibration, no charging icon, nothing. Since Android devices behave differently depending on the model and charger, I checked the Google Pixel hub and realized a few settings and physical placement issues can block wireless charging entirely.
Where I got stuck
I assumed wireless charging “just works,” but my case was too thick, and the coil wasn’t aligning with the charging pad. At one point, I even blamed the update to Android 14 before noticing my charger wasn’t Qi-certified.
How to enable wireless charging on Android (step-by-step)
- Remove the phone case temporarily
Thick or metal-backed cases often block the coil. I had to remove mine to test properly. - Settings → Battery → Battery preferences → Wireless charging
On some Android models, this toggle must be enabled manually. Note: The location can vary slightly by brand. - Place your phone at the center of the charging pad
Android devices require accurate coil alignment. Shift the phone left, right, up, and down to find the charging spot. - Test with a Qi-certified charger
Non-Qi chargers may not trigger charging. I switched to an official Qi pad and the phone detected it instantly. - Restart the phone
If the coil doesn’t activate after several attempts, a reboot often resolves it.
What to avoid
- Avoid using magnetic rings or metal mounts — they block charging completely.
- Don’t use wireless charging on overheating phones; Android disables it as a safety measure.
- Don’t mix fast-wireless chargers with older devices expecting standard Qi output.
Device-specific notes
Some Android models (Pixel, Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.) slow down wireless charging if the phone is warm or if adaptive battery is active. On Pixel devices, the charging icon may take a second to appear — that delay is normal. For more power-management details, check the Battery & Power hub.
Quick test
Turn the phone off, place it on the pad, and check if the charging animation appears. This eliminates software interference and confirms whether the coil is functioning.
Extra details
Wireless charging performance varies widely between Android models. Some support up to 15W Qi, while others cap at 5W. Using a quality cable with your charging pad also matters — I once used a cheap cable and lost half the charging speed without realizing why.
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