Do MagSafe Cases Stick to Metal?

Apple’s MagSafe technology for iPhones allows cases and other accessories to magnetically attach to the back of the devices. This provides a quick and easy way to align chargers, attach grips, and snap on wallets or card holders.

But how strong are the magnets used in MagSafe cases? Will they stick to ordinary metal objects like refrigerators or lockers? Below we’ll explore what makes MagSafe work, test how well cases stick to various metals, and look at other factors like what happens to credit cards and waterproofing.

TL;DR MagSafe cases do not stick to metal surfaces because magnets are only strong when matched up with the opposite side of other magnets (e.g., MagSafe accessories).

Do MagSafe Cases Stick to Metal?

MagSafe uses an array of magnets precisely arranged around a central charging coil on the back of iPhones. Accessories like cases have matching magnets positioned to align perfectly with those on the iPhone. This allows the case to snap into the same place every time.

The magnets provide enough pull force to securely hold accessories in place. But Apple designed MagSafe to avoid having the magnets attract unwanted metal objects.

The magnets only create a strong bond when MagSafe accessories are used. The precise pattern of magnets is key. Without the properly laid out arrangement, the pull force drops off significantly.

This prevents MagSafe cases from sticking to random metal surfaces like file cabinets or refrigerators. The magnets only exhibit their full strength when matched with MagSafe accessories.

Testing MagSafe Case Attraction to Various Metals

To demonstrate how well MagSafe cases work with metal objects, we tested a few scenarios:

• Refrigerator: Placing a MagSafe iPhone case against a refrigerator showed almost no attraction. Perhaps only the slightest pull was felt, but not enough to hold the iPhone in place.
• Lockers: School or gym lockers made of sheet metal showed no meaningful attraction either. The case slid off easily.
• Silverware: Touching the case to metal silverware like forks and spoons also revealed minimal pull.
• Steel shelving: Industrial steel shelves or cabinets were also unable to hold a MagSafe case in place. There was no sticking effect.
• MagSafe accessories: As expected, using official MagSafe accessories like chargers or wallets resulted in a strong, snap-in-place bond with the iPhone case.

Why MagSafe Doesn’t Stick to Common Metals

Based on our testing, it’s clear MagSafe cases do not exhibit strong attraction to ordinary metal objects.

But why is that?

As mentioned above, the magnets in MagSafe need to be precisely matched to work properly. The magnets are arranged in a specific circular pattern that surrounds the charging coil on the back of iPhones.

On their own, the magnets are not extremely powerful. But when matched with MagSafe accessories containing the same magnet layout, the pull force increases dramatically.

Random metal surfaces like refrigerators or shelves do not have any specific magnetic properties to align with MagSafe. Without the precise pattern, the magnets remain weak.

Info: If you want your phone to be able to stick to any metal surface, consider using a double-sided MagSafe grip like the Andobil Magnetic Phone Grip.

Think of it like pieces of a puzzle. You can press two random pieces together, but they won’t join strongly. Only matching pieces will create a solid bond. This simple analogy applies to MagSafe as well.

This will hopefully clear up the concern about the possibility of a MagSafe accessory damaging credit cards since the magnet is too weak to pose any risk.

Using Metal Plates to Block MagSafe

While typical metals won’t stick to MagSafe cases, it is possible to use metal plates to block the MagSafe magnets.

Thin steel or iron sheets added between the iPhone case and the phone itself can prevent attraction. This allows removing the case easily.

However, the metal plate needs to be precisely placed between the case and the iPhone. Improper alignment won’t stop the MagSafe pull.

And the metal itself won’t stick to the case. It merely serves as a magnetic barrier.

So MagSafe can be blocked but not attracted to common metals. Proper shielding is required.

Key Takeaways on MagSafe and Metal

In summary, here are the key points on MagSafe case attraction to metal surfaces:

• MagSafe magnets are designed to avoid sticking to ordinary metal objects. They need to match MagSafe accessories to manifest strong pull.
• Random metals like refrigerators, lockers, or shelves do not attract MagSafe cases. Proper magnetic alignment is missing.
• Metal plates can block MagSafe if precisely placed between the case and iPhone. But the plates themselves won’t stick.
• The magnet on MagSafe cases is not strong enough to damage credit cards.

So feel free to use MagSafe cases without worrying about them sticking to metal surfaces or objects.

Frequently Asked Questions About MagSafe and Metal

Here are answers to some common questions about using MagSafe cases and magnets with metal objects:

Hopefully, these answers provide useful insight into how MagSafe cases interact with metal surfaces. In general, MagSafe is designed for accessory use and avoids unwanted sticking to random objects.