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To Charge the iPhone 15 Pro on a BMW Wireless charging pad or not ?

I recently received my iPhone 15 Pro Max and am quite satisfied with this device. I also have a 2020 BMW X3 M Competition that I drive daily. I did infrequently charge my iPhone 12 Pro Max on the wireless charging pad in the X3MC and I did notice the iPhone 12 Pro Max got quite warm. But, I typically used a cable for charging in the automobile so the iPhone would not move around in the console (during spirited drives).

But now that I have the iPhone 15 Pro Max and have heard the reports of the iPhone 15 Pro issues with the wireless charging pad in BMWs. Of course, I am concerned about charging my new iPhone 15 Pro Max in my X3MC and causing damage to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. As mentioned, I don’t’ use that option very often but if the charging need arises, I want to charge safely. Of course, I could use the cable, but what if I don’t have a cable and need to charge the iPhone. As such my question is: should I or should I not use the wireless charging pad in my X3MC to charge my iPhone 15 Pro Max ?

Thanks very much for the assistance.

Johnnie

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Posted on Oct 8, 2023 2:57 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Oct 10, 2023 7:52 AM

Thanks for the response. I am quite perplexed by the lack of info and/or guidance from Apple or the automobile manufacturers. We have paid for a option/service we can’t safely use. Someone needs to step up and tell us what is the way ahead.

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25 replies

Oct 10, 2023 7:30 AM in response to thor48

I wouldn’t risk it. My 3-day old iPhone15 Pro was fried after I charged it on my 2023 Z4 charge pad, which then caused Apple Pay not to work, then the phone went into recovery mode, restored and ruined the NFC chip. Apple replaced the phone but I cannot see any record of the fault being acknowledged by apple, let alone fixed. This is exactly the same issue reported by many others, mostly BMW drivers, but also some other makes too. I am waiting for some official word on fault & fix before I use the charge pad again.

Oct 10, 2023 8:26 PM in response to thor48

I charge mine on my cars wireless charging pad with no issues. Not odd for any device to get warm when charging so that wouldn’t concern me personally. My car isn’t a BMW (2022 Buick Eclave Avenir) but I don’t think that matters. The charging pad is OEM and functions perfectly. Not sure what info you are wanting to be released from Apple about a car manufacturers wireless charging pad or from the manufacturer. Ultimately, assuming unless the charging pad is too small for the phone to fit correctly or something there shouldn’t be a problem with you using it. For some people that cars don’t include a USB-C port (some still only have the standard USB-A port…mine has both as well as an actual outlet to plug a charging brick in if you really want to) the charging pad if they have it means they don’t have to rush out to get another cable to work in their car or an adapter. Maybe check the BMW user forums to see if the subject has come up also.

Oct 10, 2023 11:27 PM in response to majapp

I left my phone on my BMW chargepad for about an hour (there isn’t really anywhere else to put it in a Z4), it does seem to be connected to the phone getting too hot, but i have seen reports of the issue occurring in BMWs after a relatively short period of time. I haven’t reactivated my digital key on my new phone until I am confident that the issue has been resolved, either by apple or BMW - it is not clear to me whether or not the recent patch targeted at overheating phones will fix this, so I am just being cautious.

Oct 10, 2023 11:32 PM in response to KaeBFly

The issue does seem to be mostly about BMW wireless charge pads from reading different forums. Mine was fine with my iPhone 13Pro, but fried my 15Pro the first time I used it, the same as for other people. I don’t know whether we are talking about 10s or 100s or 1000s of people, but I will be cautious until time has passed or the issue has been resolved - I don’t want to have to go through the process of replacing it at an Apple Store & setting it up all over again. That’s a pain & quite irritating, but I’ll be patient, for now.


As to whether it is for apple or BMW to sort out, I don’t know. It seems to be BMW kit that is causing the problem, but seems to be changes made to the new iPhone 15Pro which have triggered it. Hopefully the two of them get together quickly to sort it.

Oct 11, 2023 12:34 AM in response to YorkFresh

Thanks for all of the responses and comments. First of all, I am not waiting for Apple to address an auto makers wireless charging pad technical matters. But I am waiting for someone to address the issue, be it Apple, BMW or whoever. I live in Europe and apparently this is a problem in more than the USA. A few auto journals and forums are advising people to avoid using the charging pad an auto, I.e., BMW, Audi, etc., until this NFC issue is resolved. All agree it is quite interesting that the NFC issue is very strange as it really just came to the surface with the introduction of iPhone 15 Pro. That’s why all sorts of folks are waiting for someone, I.e., Apple, BMW, Audi, et all, to say something about this apparent problem.

As for the ‘heat’, my iPhone 12 Pro Max got quite warm charging on the pad in my X3M Comp - so much that I just avoided it and used a cable (which I actually prefer to the charging pad). Having said that, one must bear in mind, that any type of charging pad, whether in the auto or desktop, does create a certain amount of heat as it is the nature (function) of the device. But, at least the NFC chip is not normally fried !

So, we await advice on this matter……or do we just roll the dice and hope nothing happens to our devices. Personally, based on the advice provided in the responses, I have a really nice cable and will avoid using the pad.

Oct 20, 2023 6:53 AM in response to thor48

Last night I lost NFC chip as well after a 10 min charge in my new BMW I4. Going to Apple Store after work today. DO NOT CHARGE any iPhone 14s or 15s until someone takes responsibility and I would recommend whether you have an issue or not to contact BMW about potential risks using charger. The more they here from us they will eventually take action.

Nov 3, 2023 11:44 AM in response to thor48

Hello! Does this issue only occur when you place your iPhone 15 pro/pro max on a wireless charging pad, or is it a general problem? For instance, I don't have a wireless charging pad in my car; I only have a key pad (nfc reader) instead. So, I just want to make sure that this won't happen to me. (BMW i4, 2023).

Nov 8, 2023 6:41 PM in response to Mkosharkii

This is more likely caused by the camera bump on the 15 Pro Max being taller, which doesn't permit the phone to sit completely flat on the mat and the charger is unable to keep a connection to the phone. Couple that with the fact most car chargers have one charging plate in them and if they don't align perfectly with the position of the MagSafe charger in the iPhone, charging may not work.


I have a 2023 Genesis GV70. My 15 Pro Max won't charge on the wireless charger built into my car. But my partners 15 Pro will charge. It's the location of charging coil in the cars wireless charger which prevents my 15 Pro Max from charging.


I don't blame Apple or my 15 Pro Max. Apple didn't have anything to do with where car manufacturers put the charging coils in their car wireless charging mats. So if I need to charge my 15 Pro Max, I plug it into one of the USB ports and it charges just fine.

To Charge the iPhone 15 Pro on a BMW Wireless charging pad or not ?

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