PopSockets are absolutely everywhere these days. Everyone from celebrities to your next-door neighbor seems to have one glued to the back of their phone. Despite their popularity, PopSockets can actually be quite a pain when it comes to wireless charging.
PopSockets prevent your phone from making full contact with the charging pad, which means it won’t charge as efficiently. In most cases, it won’t charge at all. However, you can make it work by using removable PopSockets or wireless chargers made specifically for use with PopSockets.
Wireless charging with a PopSocket can be tricky, but it’s definitely possible. You just have to be a little more selective about the products you use and ensure that everything is compatible. With the right setup, you can keep your phone charged and your PopSocket in place. Let’s look at how to make it all work.
Does a PopSocket Interfere With Wireless Charging?
Wireless chargers use magnetic induction to charge your phone. This means they need to be close to the charging coils in your phone to work. PopSockets, as you can imagine, create a bit of a barrier between your phone and the charging pad.
A standard wireless charger only has a few millimeters of range, so even a slim PopSocket can drastically reduce the efficiency of the wireless charger. When you put your phone on a wireless charger with a PopSocket attached, it will be slow and erratic or most probably won’t charge at all.
However, some wireless chargers are specifically designed to work with PopSockets. These chargers have a hollow space in the center of the charging pad, so the pop socket fits snugly, and the charging coils then line up with the coils in your phone.
However, the position of your phone’s coils can vary, so it’s still not a perfect solution.
While a PopSocket may not interfere with wireless charging for every phone out there, it won’t work for most. If you want to keep using your PopSocket and wireless charger, you’ll need to find a workaround to make it work. Fortunately, there are a few options.
How Do You Get Your Wireless Charger to Work With a PopSocket?
First, try charging your phone with a PopSocket on; maybe you’ll get lucky, and your phone will charge just fine. Try different positions and angles to see if any particular orientation works better. If your phone charges, great! If not, here are some other things to try:
1. Remove the Phone Case
The PopSocket is probably attached to your phone case, so if you don’t want to get rid of your beloved PopSocket, you can remove the cover while charging and then put it back on when you’re done.
Plus, when you remove the phone case, the distance between the phone coils and the charger is further reduced, so you may even get a better charge.
2. Use a Removable PopSocket
The official PopSocket store is now manufacturing swappable PopSockets. These are basically two parts; a base that sticks to the cover and the removable top that clicks off.
With this system, you can simply remove the top while charging and then put it back on when you’re done. The base remains stuck to your phone, but it’s way thinner and shouldn’t interfere with the charging process. This trick may still not work for everyone, but it’s worth trying.
3. Use a PopSocket-Compatible Charger
After the PopSocket and wireless charging debacle, some companies started manufacturing PopSocket-compatible wireless chargers. These chargers are usually circular, with an indentation in the middle that fits the PopSocket while your phone remains in contact with the coils and gets you a fast and efficient charge.
This is probably the most foolproof way of using a PopSocket with wireless charging.
PopSocket has also come out with its wireless charger, the “PopPower,” which is compatible with all PopSockets.
4. Use Long-Range Wireless Chargers
A standard Qi wireless charger has a range of 1.6 inches (40 mm). Even in this range, the charger’s efficiency reduces as the distance increases. So, even a slim pop socket can create a big barrier between your phone and the charger.
Long-range wireless chargers have much bigger ranges, some even up to a few feet away. This means that even if your phone is a bit further away from the charger, it’ll still get a decent charge. However, long-range chargers aren’t as common and definitely don’t come cheap, so they may not be a viable option for everyone.
5. Use Wireless Charging-Friendly PopSockets
Since wireless charging with a PopSocket is such a common problem, manufacturers have come up with various design changes to make their PopSockets more compatible with wireless charging.
There are flip-off PopSockets, rotateable PopSockets, and PopSockets with removable magnetic grips that all make it easier to charge your phone wirelessly. You may want to invest in one of these special PopSockets if you’re really dedicated to using one with a wireless charger.
Alternatives to PopSocket for Wireless Charging
If your main goal is to have a better grip on your phone or to be able to take better selfies, there are other alternatives to the PopSocket that won’t get in the way of wireless charging. Here are a few of the best picks:
Slideable PopSockets
This one is still a PopSocket but with a magnetic grip instead of adhesive. When you need to charge your phone, the PopSockets and the base easily slide off the cover. The official PopSocket store has a line of PopGrip MagSafe covers (on Amazon) for iPhone 12 and 13. These are also available with wallets or slots for holding cards.
Silicon Loops
These are simple straps of silicon that loop around your phone cover through camera space. Instead of just one finder, you can slip two or three fingers into the strap for a better grip.
And since they’re made of silicon, they don’t interfere with wireless charging. You can keep the strap on your phone all the time. Sinjimoru Stretching loop (on Amazon) is a good option and comes in different colors.
Magnetic Grips
Magnetic grips are another great alternative to PopSockets. There are actually lots of designs and styles to choose from. You can go for a grip with strips, finger holders, or even stands.
The main idea is that the grip sticks to your phone cover magnetically so you can easily take it on and off when you need to charge your phone wirelessly. Sinjimoru magnetic wallet (on Amazon) case is a good option; it comes with card slots as well.
Adhesive Finger Grips
If you like something light and low-profile, the tried and tested adhesive finger grips are still a great option. They are simply slim strips that stick on the back of your phone cover. Check out the highly rated adhesive strap by goStrap (on Amazon).
Since these strips are so thin and made of polyester, they don’t get in the way of wireless charging. The best part is they’re affordable and almost universal, so you can use them on any phone.
Non-Slip Stickers
These stickers provide a nice textured surface to keep your phone from slipping out of your hand. Though you don’t get finger slots, the added grip is good enough for most people.
Stickers keep your phone cover clean, don’t add any bulk, and don’t get in the way of wireless charging either. Plus, like sticky finger grips, they are very affordable and universal. Cat Tongue grips (on Amazon) have great options in multiple colors and designs; you can really have fun with them.