Connect the bank’s USB-C input to a PD wall charger, use a quality USB-C cable, and wait for full LEDs before unplugging.
Magnetic wireless banks stick to phones and send power through coils, yet they still refill the old-fashioned way: by cable. This guide shows the exact steps, charger picks that make sense, and the small settings that speed things up while keeping temps in check.
What You Need Before You Start
You only need three things: a USB-C wall charger that speaks Power Delivery (PD), a good cable, and a bank with visible status lights. Aim for a charger that meets or beats the bank’s input line on the label. If the bank says “USB-C in: 9V⎓2A” or “PD in: 30W,” pick a wall brick that can supply at least that level. A longer cable adds convenience, but it also adds resistance, so keep it short when you want a faster fill.
| Bank Capacity | Bank Input Rating | Suggested Wall Charger |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000–7,500 mAh (18–28 Wh) | PD 18–20W (9V⎓2A) | 20–30W USB-C PD |
| 10,000 mAh (37 Wh) | PD 20–30W | 30W USB-C PD |
| 15,000–20,000 mAh (55–74 Wh) | PD 30–45W | 45–65W USB-C PD |
| 25,000 mAh (92 Wh) | PD 45–60W | 60–100W USB-C PD |
Charging A Magnetic Wireless Bank: Step-By-Step
1) Read The Tiny Print
Flip the pack and scan for “Input” near the USB-C port. Typical lines look like “5V⎓3A,” “9V⎓2A,” or a single number such as “USB-C in: 30W.” That figure sets the ceiling for how fast the pack can take power. A stronger wall brick won’t hurt; the bank just sips what it can accept.
2) Pick A Smart Wall Brick
Choose a PD or PD-PPS charger that meets the input ceiling you found. Many compact GaN bricks advertise 30W, 45W, or 65W. If your pack tops out at 30W, a 30W brick is the sweet spot. If you also charge a laptop, a 65W or 100W brick gives you headroom without changing the process.
3) Use A Short, Capable Cable
A USB-C cable stamped for 60W or 100W reduces drop and keeps hand-warm temps. Avoid frayed leads and mystery adapters. If the bank negotiates PD-PPS, a compliant cable helps it hold higher current at sensible temps.
4) Plug In USB-C To USB-C
Insert the cable into the bank’s USB-C input, then into the wall brick. LEDs should scroll or pulse. Many packs show four bars; a steady set of lights means full. If nothing lights up, press the power button once to wake input mode.
5) Leave The Magnets Out Of It
The magnet ring is for charging your phone, not refilling the pack. Only a handful of niche models accept wireless input, and they refuel far slower than wired input. Stick with the cable for the refill; save the magnets for your phone.
6) Watch Heat And Finish Strong
Mild warmth is normal during the first 50–70% of the refill. If the shell grows hot to the touch, move the pack off soft surfaces, remove stacked items, and give it airflow. When the lights show full, unplug; keeping it tethered does little past topping routines.
Standards That Shape Speed: MagSafe, Qi, And Qi2
Magnets help align coils so wireless output stays steady on your phone. Apple’s magnetic system delivers up to 15W on compatible phones when paired with an adequate wall adapter. The newest Qi2 profile brings a similar ring-based alignment to a wider set of phones and accessories, with 15W now common and 25W rolling out on some gear. For your bank, this mainly affects how fast it can top up a phone wirelessly; the refill path for the bank itself remains USB-C.
Want the spec details? Read the Wireless Power Consortium’s overview of Qi and Qi2 charging, and Apple’s guide to MagSafe chargers and battery packs.
Speed And Heat Tips That Make A Real Difference
Match Input And Adapter
If the bank’s label lists “9V⎓2A,” aim for a wall brick that offers a 9V step in PD. If it lists a watt number like “30W in,” a 30W PD brick gets you there in one hop. Over-spec bricks are fine; the bank controls the draw.
Keep The Cable Short
Under one meter keeps voltage drop low and trims heat. Coiling a long cable under the pack traps warmth; lay it loosely instead.
Skip Thick Cases During Magnetic Output
When charging your phone on the pack, thin MagSafe-style cases keep magnets aligned. Metal plates, finger rings, and wallet backs break alignment and slow things down.
Use Pass-Through Sparingly
Some packs can charge a phone while they refill. It works, but the bank spends energy twice and stays warm. For the fastest refill, unplug the phone and let the pack drink first.
Can You Refill The Pack Wirelessly?
Only a few models add wireless input. It looks neat on a desk, but the intake rate lands far below a simple cable, and small misalignment stops it cold. If your pack supports it, treat it as a convenience for a slow overnight, not your main method.
Travel And Safety Basics
Keep packs in carry-on bags when you fly, since spare lithium batteries are not allowed in checked baggage. Capacity near 100 Wh is fine for most airlines; jumbo packs above that limit need airline approval and may be barred on some routes. Tape over spare cables so port pins don’t get bridged by coins or keys.
Common Markings, Decoded
| Label Or Icon | Meaning | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| PD / PD 3.0 / PD 3.1 | USB-C Power Delivery handshake levels | Use a PD wall brick and USB-C cable |
| PPS | Programmable power steps for cooler fast charge | Pair with a PD-PPS wall brick |
| Input: 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓2A | Voltage and current the bank can accept | Pick a wall brick with matching steps |
| 15W / 7.5W wireless | Phone charging speed on the magnet ring | Use a thin case and align the ring |
| LED x4 | Charge level in quarters | Wait for all four to glow steady |
| Wh (watt-hours) | Total stored energy for airline checks | Keep under 100 Wh for easy travel |
Troubleshooting When The Pack Won’t Take A Charge
No Lights Or Beeps
Press the power button once to wake input mode. Some banks sleep after a low-voltage trip and need that tap to listen for PD again.
One Light Stuck
Swap the cable, then the wall brick. A weak cable can hold the bank at the 5V step, which barely moves the needle on bigger cells.
Hot Shell Or Auto-Stop
Move the pack off fabric, remove stacked phones, and give it air. If the bank stops the session, let it cool, then try a lower-power brick for the last 10–20%.
Wireless Output Is Slower Than You Expect
That’s normal. Magnetic output levels vary by phone and case. A firm click and centered ring give you the best shot at the posted watt number.
Care Tips To Keep Capacity Longer
Store the pack around half charged if you won’t use it for a while. Avoid glove-box heat and mid-winter freeze. Give it a full top-off every month or two so the gauge stays honest. Wipe the magnet ring clean so grit doesn’t scratch your phone.
Quick Reference: Best Practices
- Use a PD or PD-PPS wall brick that meets the bank’s input line.
- Keep the cable short and rated for the watt level you need.
- Refill by cable; save the magnet ring for charging your phone.
- Watch temps; warm is fine, hot means pause.
- Skip pass-through when you want a fast refill.
- Carry packs in cabin bags on flights.
Why Your Adapter Choice Matters
A small mismatch at the wall slows everything down. If the bank can accept 30W, a 20W phone brick leaves charge time on the table. A 30W or 45W brick hardly weighs more in your bag, yet it brings the pack back to 100% during a lunch break instead of late afternoon.
Realistic Charge Time Ranges
Brand claims can be optimistic since they quote ideal temps and lab cables. In daily use, a 10,000 mAh pack fed at 30W often needs about 90 minutes. A 20,000 mAh pack fed at 45W lands near three hours. Cold garages, hot dashboards, and long cables stretch those numbers.
Picking A Wall Charger That Fits Your Setup
If you just charge phones and small tablets, a 30W brick is a tidy one-plug answer. It feeds most 10,000 mAh packs at full speed and still fast-charges an iPhone when you need it. Creators or gamers who use bigger packs and USB-C laptops get more mileage from a 65W or 100W brick with two ports. One port can refill the bank while the other tops a camera, earbuds case, or handheld console.
Look at the fine print on the brick itself. You want a 9V step for mid-size banks and a 15V step for larger cells; PPS ranges like “3.3–11V⎓5A” are a bonus for cooler fast charge. Multi-port bricks list split ratings per port. If a label reads “65W max, 45W+20W when two ports are used,” plug the bank into the higher slot so it gets the faster track.
How To Tell If You’re Getting Full Input Speed
Watch the LED cadence for the first ten minutes. Rapid progress means the bank negotiated a higher step. If the lights crawl from the start, the session may be stuck at 5V. Swap to a shorter cable or try a different port on the brick. A small USB-C power meter can confirm the draw; readings near the input ceiling you saw on the label mean you’re in the sweet spot.
Wrapping Up The Method
Refilling a magnetic pack isn’t tricky. Match the input spec, use a stout USB-C cable, keep airflow around the shell, and stop when the LEDs go solid. That’s the whole playbook for a quick, clean refill at home, at your desk, or in a hotel room.