iOS 17.2 RC brings Qi2 wireless charging support to iPhone 13 and iPhone 14-series devices; Apple hasn't said if the phones will charge at 15W on Qi2 chargers
what it means for you Daniel Casil / Gearrice : Qi2 compatible with iPhone 13 and 14 Chris Smith / Trusted Reviews : iOS 17.2 will give older iPhones a major charging boost MacDailyNews : Apple's iOS 17.2 will deliver Qi2 charger support to iPhone 13 and 14 models iClarified : iOS 17.2 to Bring Qi2 Charging Support to All iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 Models Juli Clover / MacRumors : iOS 17.2 Brings Qi2 Support to iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 Models Macworld : iOS 17.2 beta 4 is out now with Journal app and lots of new features and changes
Context & Ripple Effects
Apple and the Wireless Power Consortium had previously positioned Qi2 as a next-generation standard built on MagSafe technology. Extending compatibility through software puts that standard on a broader installed base of recent iPhones.
The move continues Apple's history of using iOS releases to alter charging behavior, following an earlier update that enabled faster 7.5W wireless charging. The unresolved speed question is therefore material, not a cosmetic detail.
First-order effects
- iPhone 13 and iPhone 14-series owners gain Qi2 charging support with the iOS 17.2 release candidate.
- Apple has not confirmed whether those models will draw up to 15W from Qi2 chargers, leaving the practical performance benefit unspecified.
Second-order effects
- Qi2 accessory makers can address more compatible iPhones without waiting for buyers to move to newer hardware, but cannot market an Apple-confirmed 15W outcome for these models.
- Consumers comparing Qi2 chargers with Apple's own magnetic charging options will have to weigh compatibility against unconfirmed charging-speed expectations.
Third-order effects
- If Apple continues backporting Qi2 support, a standards-based magnetic charging ecosystem could matter more than model-specific accessory compatibility.
- The key constraint is implementation detail: broad Qi2 support does not by itself establish uniform charging performance across iPhone generations.
The trend: This is one step in the shift from proprietary magnetic charging features toward wider interoperability through the Qi2 standard.