How to use wireless charging for Xiaomi phone

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are increasingly equipped with power transmission modules without the use of physical cables, which is convenient, aesthetic and eliminates the need to constantly connect a USB connector, which wears out over time.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the nuances of Qi technology that the Chinese giant uses in its flagship and mid-budget models, learn how to turn a phone into a powerbank for other gadgets, and how to properly position devices on the charging pad for maximum efficiency.

It should be noted that not all devices of the brand support energy reception through the air, although the recoil function (reverse charging) have many models with a large battery.

Supported models and compatibility checks

The first thing the owner needs to do is make sure that their particular smartphone model supports wireless charging. Often users buy chargers without checking the specifications, and then wonder at the lack of response. The flagship Mi and Xiaomi (digital series) lines almost always come with this option, while the budget Redmi Note may not have one.

You can check for the module in the official specifications on the box or on the manufacturer's website. If the specifications indicate support for Qi or Wireless Charging, then the receiver is installed inside. Also, the sign of the technology is a glass or ceramic back cover, because the metal blocks the electromagnetic field.

There is a common misconception that if a phone warms up when it's lifted to charge, it charges. In fact, it may just be a tip that doesn't transmit current. Make sure your model is on the compatible list before you purchase accessories.

Special attention should be paid to devices with Mi Air Charge technology or magnetic rings that appear in new versions of firmware. Even if the phone supports the standard, the power intake rate can vary from 10 watts to 80 watts depending on the model and the charger used.

How to turn on and adjust energy reception

Unlike Bluetooth or NFC, classic wireless charging on Xiaomi smartphones doesn’t have to be manually enabled through the settings menu. It activates automatically once you put the device on a compatible platform.

However, there are some optimization nuances. Some versions of the MIUI or HyperOS shell have a feature called Accelerated Wireless Charging. To activate it, go to Settings → Battery → Wireless Charging. Here you can turn on the acceleration mode if you use the brand's original docking station.

• 🔋 Place your smartphone strictly in the center of the charging pad for better induction.
• ⚡ Use the original power supply for the docking station to get the declared power.
• 📱 Remove a thick case or case with metal inserts before the procedure begins.

If you use third-party charging, the phone may charge more slowly, which is normal, because handshake protocols between different brands may differ, in which case the current speed will be limited to the basic standard of 5 or 10 watts.

It's important to remember the position of the device. Even a centimeter shift can cause the coils to not match and the energy to be transferred. Some docks have cooling fans that can make noise, which is the normal operation of the thermoregulation system.

Reverse charging: the phone as a powerbank

Many users don't know that their smartphone can charge other gadgets, a feature called reverse wireless charging, which allows you to transfer power from your phone's battery to your headphones, smartwatches, or other smartphone, just by putting them back together.

Unlike power intake, this feature often needs to be activated manually. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Wireless Reverse Charging and switch the slider to the active position. After that, the phone will start looking for devices and give off the accumulated charge.

⚠️ Warning: Reverse charging consumes a lot of energy and heats the device very much. Do not use this method as the main way of charging, but only in emergency situations.

The reverse transfer rate is usually lower than when receiving, and is around 10 watts. This is enough to recharge the Mi True Wireless Earbuds or the Mi Band smart bracelet, but the full charging cycle of another phone will take a long time.

Successful power transfer requires a tight fit of the rear panels, if there is a gap between the devices or a thick case, the connection will not be established, and also make sure that the back cover of the receiving device is free of metal objects such as rings or magnetic plates.

Problems with covers and accessories

One of the most common causes of non-functional charging is accessories. Magnetic rings embedded in car attachment cases, metal plates and card pockets create a shielding effect. The electromagnetic field cannot penetrate metal, so induction does not occur.

The thickness of the protective glass also matters: Standard silicone and plastic cases up to 3-4 mm thick usually do not interfere with the process. However, armored cases with reinforced angles or cases with built-in batteries (bath cases) can block the signal.

• 🚫 Remove the case if charging does not start or works intermittently.
• 💳 Remove bank cards from the bookcase, they can heat up and demagnetize.
• 🧲 Check if there are hidden magnets in the case for car holders.

There are special cases with a cutout under the coil or marked with the marking Wireless Charging Compatible. When buying accessories for flagship Xiaomi, it is better to pay attention to such designations, so as not to sacrifice convenience.

💡

If you use wireless charging frequently, get a thin polycarbonate case or a special MagSafe magnetic collar case (adapted) that does not interfere with induction.

And there's also the safety glass, which is if the glass is unevenly pasted or has thickening at the edges, it can create a gap between the phone and charging, and in these cases, the phone may be on the charger, but the current will not be transmitted.

Charging speed and compatibility table

The rate of recovery of capacity depends on the power of the charger and the capabilities of the smartphone itself. Xiaomi has developed proprietary protocols that allow you to achieve high performance, but only in conjunction with the original equipment.

When using third-party Qi charging, the phone will automatically reduce power to a safe level, which is protection against overheating and damage to the power controller. Below is a table of approximate speeds for different use cases.

As you can see from the table, the time difference is significant. If you're used to 120 watt wired charging, wireless charging might seem slow, but the main advantage of wireless charging is that you can recharge your device during the day just by putting it on your desk in the office or by your bed, without looking for a cable.

It is important to use a power supply for maximum speed; connecting a powerful docking station to a weak unit (e.g., 5B 2A) will not give the desired result; a notification may appear in the system that charging is slow.

Diagnosis of malfunctions and heating

Heat is a natural satellite of wireless power transmission. Some of the energy is always lost as heat because of imperfect efficiency induction. However, if the phone gets hot enough to give a warning, it's a problem signal.

Often the cause of overheating is the use of the phone while charging, the screen, the processor and the charging module together create a critical temperature, in which case the safety system can stop the current from flowing until the device cools down.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is heated even when it is off when in contact with charging, the power controller or battery itself may have failed.

It’s also worth checking if moisture has entered the connector or under the back cover. While many modern Xiaomi models have water protection, wireless charging in a wet environment can be blocked software to avoid corrosion of contacts inside the case.

If nothing works, try resetting your network and connection settings. Sometimes a software failure in the NFC or power management module interferes with the correct identification of the charger. Restarting in Safe Mode will also help to eliminate the influence of third-party applications.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

💡

Wireless charging is convenient for maintaining the charge level throughout the day, but for fast charging from scratch it is better to use a wired connection to avoid overheating.