How to charge your Apple iPhone 13

Charging your iPhone 13 should be as simple as plugging the phone. It is, as long as you have the proper hardware. Apple decided to remove the charger from the box with the iPhone 12 series and newer, saying that most iPhone buyers already have a charger that would work. It was an environmentally-conscious move, but the billions it saved the company didn’t hurt either. This makes charging your iPhone 13 a little more complicated too. Here’s what you need to know about how to charge your iPhone 13.

Read more: Apple iPhone 13 buyer’s guide

Can I use my old charger to charge my iPhone?

You can use your old charger to charge the iPhone 13. It’s one of the stated reasons Apple removed the charger from the box with the iPhone 12 and newer models — the assumption that most buyers will have a capable charger already.

It depends on how old the charger is, though. The iPhone 13 comes with a USB-C to Lightning cable in the box, so the only existing charger compatible is what you got with the iPhone 11 series. You won’t have any problems with an older charger and cable. But if you are planning to use the cable that comes in the iPhone 13 box, you will need to buy a new charger.

Fast charging is another consideration. Apple’s older iPhone chargers top out at 18W, so you won’t get the fastest possible charge with them. You will need a 20W or higher charger from Apple or a third-party option that supports USB-PD (USB Power Delivery) to take advantage of the iPhone 13’s fast-charging capabilities.

What charger should I get for my iPhone 13?

If you’re planning to buy a new charger for your iPhone 13, you should get one that supports the phone’s fast-charging feature. These are your best options:

Apple 20W charger

You can’t go wrong with first-party accessories, and unsurprisingly, one of the best chargers for the iPhone is Apple’s 20W charger. It works with the USB-C to Lightning cable that comes in the box and will let you fast-charge the phone.

Anker 713 (Nano II 30W) charger

Anker’s latest line of GaN chargers are compact, support USB PD, and let you charge a variety of devices. The Nano II 30W USB-C charger is enough to fast-charge the iPhone 13. You can also spring for the 45W version that can charge some laptops and fast-charge certain Android phones. You can also get Anker’s multi-port 65W USB-C charger to charge your MacBook, iPhone 13, and other devices simultaneously.

Can I use wireless charging to charge my iPhone 13?

Yes, the iPhone 13 supports wireless charging. You will need a compatible MagSafe wireless charger to get 15W wireless charging. The iPhone 13 is otherwise limited to 7.5W charging with third-party Qi chargers. You don’t have to get rid of any older wireless chargers you have lying around. But like with the wired charger, you will want to buy the latest version to get faster charging.

Apple MagSafe charger

The Apple MagSafe charger snaps into place on the back of the iPhone, so you won’t have to worry about the phone not charging because of misalignment. If you have an Apple Watch, you can also get the MagSafe Duo charger.

Belkin MagSafe chargers

Belkin has a series of MagSafe chargers and accessories for the iPhone 13, from wireless stands to car mounts. The basic Belkin MagSafe charger works like the Apple one. It snaps onto the back of the phone, and you will get 15W wireless charging. It also comes with a built-in kickstand.

If you have more Apple devices, like the Apple Watch and AirPods, you can also get the Belkin 2-in-1 (phone and AirPods) and 3-in-1 (phone, AirPods, and Apple Watch) charging stands.

When buying Belkin’s MagSafe products, something to keep in mind is the difference between “with MagSafe” and “compatible with MagSafe.” The MagSafe chargers mentioned will let you charge the phone at 15W. However, products that are “compatible with MagSafe,” like Belkin’s power bank, will only give you 7.5W.

FAQ