Has Anyone Added a Wireless Charging Receiver to an Older iPhone?

Russ on 09/07/2018 - 01:49
Last edited 09/07/2018 - 01:50

I am trying to make an older iphone (iphone 5S) easy-to-use for a family member, who is changing from Android.

Given
(1) how often iphones need charging, and
(2) iphones have a proprietary (lightning) cable that is both expensive and doesn't have a long life,
I thought adding a wireless charging receiver and a qi-compatible charger will make the phone a lot easier to use.

Has anyone done this, and what are your thoughts? Was it worthwhile? If you liked the change, can you recommend a brand and/or seller?

I realize this will have a couple of side-effects:
- extra heat in the phone when charging
- charging will be slower than through a cable
- the charging receiver may not fit in some phone cases
- adds a fair bit of inconvenience on those rare occasions when the iphone has to be cable-connected to a PC.

So, has anyone done this?

P.S. I'm not after recommendations for better-quality lightning cables. We've had a genuine Apple cable die, bought some cheapies that were rejected by the phone (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/358345), and currently have a Blitzwolf BW-MF5 on order.

Mobile Wireless Charger

Comments

  • altomic on 09/07/2018 - 08:00
    +1

    you can buy slim wireless charging pads that you insert in to the lightning port. then you put a slim cover over.

    like this

    i have not done this.

    it would take over night to charge.

    2 of my kids have 5s's. they easily last 36 hours on one charge. though I have to replace one of the batteries as it is starting to fail (major caoacity drop after 30 minutes of use).

    I've looked at hacking an older android to do it (which involved soldering a Qi pad to the MB. but that is it

    • Russ on 09/07/2018 - 11:48

      Thanks, that's what I'm looking at buying. I was also looking for a case with the pad built-in, but they seem to be either discontinued or rather expensive ($70+).

      36 hours is what I meant when I said "how often iphones need charging". None of the Androids in our house need charging more than twice a week under normal circumstances.

  • shertiger on 09/07/2018 - 11:10

    I got the SODIAL charging receiver and charger for iphone 6 from Amazon for about $8.

    Works well noting the following:
    - it does take a bit of getting used to in terms of placement. I've woken up a few times to find the phone hasn't charged due to being moved slightly
    - the led light from the charger is on all the time and bright. This can be a nuisance if you prefer a dark room to sleep in. I've moved mine into a bedside draw
    - as stated above you need a slim cover to ensure the induction charging works
    - if you want to charge using a cable as well sometimes then you need to take off your cover, disconnect receiver and then connect cable. Small hassle but still
    - when I initially connected it up I used a simple USB to power plug connector, for some reason this meant the phone kept making those charger connected tones when coming off and back onto charge at 100%. Quite annoying when trying to sleep! I replaced the charger with a standard Apple one and the problem went away. I guess the proper Apple charger has built in trickle feed or something when the phone is at 100%

    • Russ on 09/07/2018 - 11:55

      Thanks for the advice. I found the Sodial receiver on Amazon AU, I'm guessing this is the one you are referring to? https://www.amazon.com.au/SODIAL-Wireless-Charger-Charging-R…

      Thanks for the advice about position. Charging bases are crazy cheap, I'll try a few if I have the problems you had, and I may make a wooden frame to hold the base and iphone in the correct position.

      Does your iPhone report that you have a non-genuine charger connected?

      • shertiger on 09/07/2018 - 13:21
        +1

        Yes that looks similar to the one I bought. The iphone doesn't report anything it just keeps beeping every now and again that it is charging.

  • newjerseydamo on 09/07/2018 - 11:28
    +1

    No offense, but if they're used to using Android, there's no difference to plugging a cable in to charge.
    Also, Apple genuine cables are the best and last forever; buy cheap and watch them die quickly. Can't say that lightning cables die and suck if you're buying cheap ones.
    Also, iPhones don't need charging more than Android, but whatever.

    Maybe let the person use the phone first and see how it goes before jumping in to trying to change things?

    • Russ on 09/07/2018 - 11:44

      Apple genuine cables are the best and last forever

      I disagree, as do lots of other people. Even the Apple store averages only 2-out-of-5 stars, read the reviews: https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/MD819AM/A/lightning-to…

      I know about a dozen people with iPhones, they all say "it's a cost of using an iPhone".

    • Hybroid on 09/07/2018 - 11:50

      Also, Apple genuine cables are the best and last forever

      Not quite. Anker lightning cables are cheaper, better build quality and last way more. Especially the braided ones. Yes, they're MFi certified.

  • nomekop on 12/07/2018 - 22:07

    I would suggest that you replace the battery of the old phone. I replaced the battery of my phone and worked perfectly ever since. Also you must know that non-certified cables can permanently damage the safety electronics which avoid overcharge to the phone. It's very common that people that buy cheap cables soon realise their battery is not lasting long

    • Russ on 13/07/2018 - 10:14

      Battery is fine.

      I'm an electronics engineer, the electronics in the cable doesn't protect against overcharge.

  • Russ on 14/01/2019 - 23:41

    I ended up buying one of these for about AU$15:
    https://www.fasttech.com/p/1677007

    It's a case with QI coils built in. Plugs into the lightning socket, and also gives you a micro-USB socket on the bottom of the case, which can also be used to charge the phone.

    When charging, seems very sensitive to the position on the charger base. If you don't get it exactly right, every few minutes the charging stops and re-starts, making the iPhone beep. The positioning problem may be because of the case, or it might be because of the cheap charger base I am using.

    Here's the base I am using:
    https://www.fasttech.com/p/9635452

    Charges the phone in 60-90 minutes, I haven't timed it exactly.

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