# Wirelessly charging a phone that wasn't made to do that **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** phones-tablets\ **Created:** [July 1, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429 "2023-07-01T23:40:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/1 "2023-07-01T23:40:58Z")
My phone is a Samsung Galaxy A13 5g. It does not have wireless charging capability built in. I discovered recently that there is (reportedly) a way to make this work. You get a little wireless receiver, which is a flat connector that goes into the C-type port on the phone, and then a flat part that lays on the back of the phone, inside your case if you have one. Then you lay the phone on a wireless charger (the one I bought was on the expensive side, from Samsung) and voila, wireless charging. Only I got the parts today, and it doesn’t work. I carefully read and followed all the instructions, which are pretty minimal anyway. I’m just wondering if I should give this up, or keep trying other similar products until I find a combination that works. None of the ads for these products mention my model specifically, so it’s kind of a shot in the dark. I can return these and stop, or keep trying and returning products until I find a combination that works. Have any of you tried this (with any non-Apple phone or device) and made it work? Suggestions for trouble-shooting this? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2023, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/2 "2023-07-01T23:47:27Z")
For me, the advantage of wireless charging is not having to plug in and wear out the plug/compromise the waterproofing seal over time. If you still have to plug in something, I fail to see an advantage. Cord/cable charging is more energy efficient as I understand it. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/3 "2023-07-02T00:10:33Z")
I think the idea is that you leave the device permanently attached to the phone. Theoretically, there’s no reason this shouldn’t be possible. But there are also a lot of crap-quality phone accessories out there, which often don’t work at all, or which can even damage your device or you. So if you do persist, make sure to be very careful about whom you buy from. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/4 "2023-07-02T01:42:12Z")
I had one for an iphone 3 which worked flawlessly, but you mention non-Apple… The first simple test might be to try it with a different device (or a USB tester) and see whether it gets any voltage. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/5 "2023-07-02T02:08:32Z")
I used one of these on an Iphone. It is a flat coil that inducts voltage from the wireless charger and feeds the phone through the plug. Yes, you leave it plugged in, but yes, you must unplug it to upload photos to your PC. I gave up on it, the connector was fragile. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/6 "2023-07-02T03:00:35Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > The first simple test might be to try it with a different device (or a USB tester) and see whether it gets any voltage. Sorry, I’m not clear on your suggestion. There are two parts, the charger unit and the charging receiver. I know the cable works because it’s the same cable I normally use. I don’t have another wireless device to test anything with. That’s one problem with troubleshooting the receiver, they say to test it with another charger unit, this is the only one I have. > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > you must unplug it to upload photos to your PC. This is not a problem for me, I do it a different way. I agree the plug seems fragile. > [@Chronos](#): > > So if you do persist, make sure to be very careful about whom you buy from. I’ve been shopping on Amazon, which of course is the opposite of safe, except that I can return stuff. I don’t know where else to shop, Samsung isn’t likely to have authorized products to make their cheap phones operate like an expensive phone. > [@running\_coach](#): > > Cord/cable charging is more energy efficient as I understand it. I wouldn’t be surprised if this were true. I have no real need to make this work, I can continue cable charging. This might be good for less wear and tear on the C connector, but I don’t think I’ve had a problem with that before. I just thought it would be, um, cool. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/7 "2023-07-02T03:26:01Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Sorry, I’m not clear on your suggestion. There are two parts, the charger unit and the charging receiver. I know the cable works because it’s the same cable I normally use. I don’t have another wireless device to test anything with. That’s one problem with troubleshooting the receiver, they say to test it with another charger unit, this is the only one I have. I meant to try the plugging the charger/receiver combo you have into a different USB-C device and see whether that works to power it. If not, then I agree you still do not know which of the two is problematic. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/8 "2023-07-02T18:09:51Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Only I got the parts today, and it doesn’t work. By “doesn’t work” do you mean the little lightning symbol doesn’t show up over the battery icon at all? ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/9 "2023-07-02T18:37:50Z")
Yes, I should have been more specific: there is no effect at all, from what I can see. Certainly no charging is going on. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/10 "2023-07-02T19:14:59Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > None of the ads for these products mention my model specifically These do, but I can’t vouch for the site selling them. > **[Samsung Galaxy A13 5G Wireless Chargers](https://www.mobilefun.com/samsung/galaxy-a13-5g/wireless-chargers)** > > Never run off power thanks to our Samsung Galaxy A13 5G Wireless Chargers. Select the best wireless charger among the top brands and with all the functionalities you may need. Fast, same-day despatch when you order by 6pm on weekdays. Order from... ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/11 "2023-07-02T21:02:03Z")
Thank you for going to the trouble of finding this. Frankly, after thinking further about the pros and cons of wireless charging, I might be better off with a charging stand with a plug, like this one: > **[Amazon.com: Encased Desktop Charging Stand for Samsung USB-C Phone and Tablet...](https://www.amazon.com/Encased-Charging-Compatible-Adjustable-Friendly/dp/B07B4MCCSW)** > > Buy Encased Desktop Charging Stand for Samsung USB-C Phone and Tablet Models, Adjustable Case-Friendly Dock Station Charger for Galaxy S22/S23 Ultra/Plus/Note, Super Fast Charge Compatible (Wired Type-C): Charging Stations - Amazon.com ✓ FREE... It should charge as fast and efficiently as a cable alone, and it also solves my minor problem of having the charging cable sticking out the wrong way (i.e. towards me) when I have the phone laying on my desk. The only downside I can think of is the possibility of damaging the port by trying to place the phone blindly on the stand, but I think I can be careful enough with that. Wireless charging still seems cool to me, and it would allow me to charge at some places when I am away from home. I am still pondering which way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/12 "2023-07-02T21:16:52Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > The only downside I can think of is the possibility of damaging the port by trying to place the phone blindly on the stand, but I think I can be careful enough with that. I wonder if anyone makes a charging cradle that is sort of like a [magnetic charging cable](https://www.amazon.com/EndlesShine-Magnetic-Charging-Rotation-Charger-USB/dp/B0BPR6FL7M/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=magnetic+charging+cable&qid=1688332325&sr=8-4)? Stick the little dongle bit in the port, have a magnet on the charging cradle, no risk of breakage. Seems like a good idea. There is also the possibility of finding a charging case for your model. They have a “power bank” built in, and some have wireless charging on the bank. Would add a lot of bulk and weight to the phone, though. [https://www.amazon.com/GIN-FOXI-Wireless-Protective-Rechargeable/dp/B08SC7M4PS/](https://www.amazon.com/GIN-FOXI-Wireless-Protective-Rechargeable/dp/B08SC7M4PS/) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2023, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-charging-a-phone-that-wasnt-made-to-do-that/986429/13 "2023-07-03T01:46:18Z")
A couple of phones ago, I was having an issue where the charging cable was getting too loose. It’d charge as long as it stayed plugged in, but it’d easily fall out. So I [3D printed a charging cradle](https://www.tinkercad.com/things/kuXQcCwJhBF?sharecode=1gMEDZYtEH3qROsCbY4pGFufxXA1IrAyC5wT833H-qo) to match my phone, with a slot that the charging cable fit into. I could slide my phone in close to vertically, and it’d slide right down onto the end of the cable, and then gravity would hold it on the plug.