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Review: SwitchEasy's MagDoka and MagStand Add MagSafe Compatibility to iPhone 11 Models

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SwitchEasy recently came out with a series of "MagEasy" accessories that are designed to add MagSafe compatibility to older devices or to iPhone 12 cases that aren't equipped with built-in magnets.

magdoka-switcheasy.jpg

The MagDoka is a circle-shaped magnetic ring that attaches to an iPhone or an iPhone case using adhesive. At 2mm in thickness, the MagDoka doesn't add a lot of bulk to an iPhone, and in my testing, it adhered well and didn't budge, even when used with an upright MagSafe charger that caused a similar product to lose its adhesive.

magdoka.jpg

To keep from blocking charging capabilities, the MagDoka needs to be placed in a specific spot on an older iPhone, so SwitchEasy includes a series of templates that ensure accurate positioning. There are guides for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and all four iPhone 12 models.

magdoka-on-iphone.jpg

The idea is to peel off the appropriate guide for your iPhone and then line it up accurately on the back of the device. There's a cutout where the MagDoka accessory needs to be placed to be in line with the wireless charging coil inside the iPhone. SwitchEasy includes tools for making sure the surface of the iPhone is free from dust and grime before the MagDoka is placed to ensure the best adhesion.

magdoka-guide.jpg

Once in place, the iPhone or the iPhone case will be able to attach to MagSafe accessories and chargers. Adding a magnet to an iPhone 11 will let it work with MagSafe items, but when it comes to charging, it's not going to charge faster. iPhone 11 models are limited to a maximum of 7.5W charging when charged with MagSafe chargers, unlike iPhone 12 models that can charge at up to 15W (12W for iPhone 12 mini).

magdoka-magsafe-iphone-11.jpg

The MagDoka was simple to apply and made my iPhone 11 Pro Max compatible with the MagSafe chargers that I now have on hand for the iPhone 12, so this is an accessory that's convenient in a mixed device household. It's also useful if you have a case without MagSafe that you just can't live without.

magdoka-on-belkin-magsafe.jpg

Alongside the MagDoka, there's another MagEasy accessory, the MagStand. When attached to an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12, it adds MagSafe connectivity but as the name suggests, it also has a fold out stand option.

magstand.jpg

You can fold up the bottom portion of the MagStand to turn it into a little iPhone stand that can prop an iPhone up in landscape mode. Since it has MagSafe capability built in, it works with MagSafe accessories when unfolded.

With the iPhone 11 Pro Max, one of the heaviest iPhone models, I didn't find the stand to be particularly useful. It propped up my iPhone a bit, but the angle was relatively low and I would have preferred more lift. I think it might work slightly better with a lighter iPhone because it does sag a bit, but it's still going to be a low angle. The MagStand also had a tendency to cause the adhesive backing to peel up a bit when used in stand mode, so I question its longevity.

magstand-iphone-11.jpg

Both the MagDoka and the MagStand are made from leather and are available in pink, blue, and black, and these accessories are lightweight and unassuming when placed on an iPhone or a case. I preferred the design of the MagDoka to the MagStand just because it takes up less real estate on the back of an iPhone.

SwitchEasy also makes a series of MagSafe cases specifically designed for the iPhone 12 lineup. Made from clear or black plastic, the cases are malleable and have a magnetic ring at the back to make them compatible with MagSafe accessories. The cases are priced at $24.99 to $29.99.

Bottom Line

The MagDoka and MagStand are most useful for iPhone 11 owners because they add compatibility with the MagSafe charging accessories that are becoming more commonplace.

switcheasy-magsafe-case.jpg

I don't think the MagDoka is particularly useful for iPhone 12 models because it's a better idea to just get a MagSafe case if you want MagSafe capabilities, but it's great if you have an iPhone 11.

The MagStand has the potential to be useful because of the built-in stand function and the MagSafe compatibility, but I just wasn't a fan of the stand feature and preferred the simpler functionality of the MagDoka.

magstand-switcheasy.jpg

At $25 these accessories are on the expensive side, but MagSafe charging accessories are convenient with the magnetic alignment so it's nice to have that functionality even if you don't have an iPhone 11 or if you want a non-MagSafe case.

How to Buy

All of the MagEasy accessories can be purchased from Amazon. Case pricing starts at $20 for a clear case and $30 for a standard case, with the MagDoka available for $16 and the MagStand available for $20.

Note: SwitchEasy provided MacRumors with a MagStand, MagDoka, and iPhone 12 MagSafe Case for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Article Link: Review: SwitchEasy's MagDoka and MagStand Add MagSafe Compatibility to iPhone 11 Models
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/review/switcheasy-magdoka-and-magstand/
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beach bum said:
I actually like the look of the MagDoka, and the price seems fairly reasonable to add magsafe compatibility to older iPhones. The color options shown on Amazon aren’t bad either.
Click to expand...

I have a few MagSafe stands now so I've found it handy to be able to charge the iPhone 11 without having to pull out a different charger. Specifically with that upright Belkin stand and other upright charging options.
 
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MacRumors said:
It's 2mm thin and doesn't add a lot of bulk to an iPhone, and in my testing, it adhered well and didn't budge, even when used with an upright MagSafe charger that caused a similar product to lose its adhesive.
Click to expand...
I completely stopped trusting the objectivity of this review when I hit this sentence. As far as I have ever seen the only people who write "Xmm thin" instead of "Xmm thick" are marketing copywriters or people repeating things that marketing copywriters wrote.

2mm is thin, but that's irrelevant to writing positioned as an objective review that received no compensation other than the product. You say "2mm thick" and then comment on that thickness if you think it's warranted.
 
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Cool. Since I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max with the largest Smart Battery Case Apple ever made, I can use this to add the future iPhone 12 battery pack or even Anker's solution to my phone's smart case. #thicc
 
Makosuke said:
I completely stopped trusting the objectivity of this review when I hit this sentence. As far as I have ever seen the only people who write "Xmm thin" instead of "Xmm thick" are marketing copywriters or people repeating things that marketing copywriters wrote.

2mm is thin, but that's irrelevant to writing positioned as an objective review that received no compensation other than the product. You say "2mm thick" and then comment on that thickness if you think it's warranted.
Click to expand...

I wrote it that way because I wanted to make it clear that it feels thin on the iPhone and is unobtrusive for the most part. Don't really agree that it's only written that way in marketing speak, but I'll tweak the wording to make it more straightforward.
 
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Darth Tulhu said:
The question is why? As in, what advantages does that provide?
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It aligns automatically. That's it. I don't know how many times I've picked up my phone to check the time or something similar in the middle of the night, only to wake up without a full charge because I didn't put it back down on exactly the right spot.

Like the user above me suggests, giving up on inductive charging altogether and going back to a wire is a decent solution.
 
Not a bad concept to make the older generation of phones to be compatible with the new toys.
Does it affect the wireless charging capability of those phones when not using a "MagSafe" charger though?
Also, does it work with a phone case on?
 
RetiredInFl said:
LOL. I don't get this whole magnet thing. Just use a wire, at least then you can move the device around and keep it charging. Just another gimmick which really gains you nothing other than maybe the "cool" factor.
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That’s cool...but I don’t want a wire. I just want to place it and have it charged. The current QI method can be iffy, and with magnets, it’ll always “snap” into charge and allows better docks and stands.
 
RetiredInFl said:
LOL. I don't get this whole magnet thing. Just use a wire, at least then you can move the device around and keep it charging. Just another gimmick which really gains you nothing other than maybe the "cool" factor.
Click to expand...
The magnet lets you move it around and keep charging.
 
Recently got iPhone Pro 11 case with MagSafe, guess where and what price? Looks and feels like the original one for iPhone Pro 12 my wife has. In reflection, you can see iPhone Pro 12 with the original case. :)

IMG_3982.jpg
 
Perhaps a silly question: Will this help a case like the OtterBox Defender for the 12 Pro Max do MagSafe charging? I was bummed that the case blocks charging with the Apple MagSafe puck.
 
My partner is using my hand-me-down iPhone X after I got the 12 Mini last year. We both use MagSafe chargers, but obviously the MagSafe puck doesn't snap to the right spot on the iPhone X. I'd like to get a magnetic case for the iPhone X so that the MagSafe charger snaps to the right spot. This MagDoka would work, but I don't want there to be a bump on the back of the phone, I want it built into a good quality case. Hopefully they make something like that.
 
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RedTheReader said:
It aligns automatically. That's it. I don't know how many times I've picked up my phone to check the time or something similar in the middle of the night, only to wake up without a full charge because I didn't put it back down on exactly the right spot.

Like the user above me suggests, giving up on inductive charging altogether and going back to a wire is a decent solution.
Click to expand...
I've been using non-magnetic Qi chargers for half a decade or more and never, ever had that problem with drop-in chargers. Why? Because if you place the device on the charger wrong it will fall off, or not make the "ding" sound, or get the green "charging" indicator light.

It quickly becomes muscle memory to use your fingers and thumb to find the edges of the charger as you lay the device on it, I don't even look anymore.

In order for me to screw this up I'd have to have been sleepwalking.

However, the magnetic, floating-phone stands are cool, even if I personally don't think they're worth the money.

But hey, if it does the trick for you, then by all means.
 
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