Apple AirPower Cancelled: What We Know So Far

Apple officially cancelled AirPower on March 29, 2019, acknowledging that the wireless charging mat could not meet its own high standards. The product, announced in September 2017, was expected to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously, but technical challenges with heat management and charging reliability ultimately led to its demise. Here is everything we know about what happened, why, and what it means for Apple users.

Background: The Announcement and Initial Promise

AirPower was unveiled at Apple’s September 2017 iPhone X event, alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, which introduced Qi-based wireless charging to the iPhone lineup. Apple positioned AirPower as a premium accessory that would allow users to place an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods (with a special wireless charging case) anywhere on the mat, without needing to align them precisely. This was a notable departure from existing Qi chargers, which required careful placement over a specific coil.

Apple’s marketing materials showed a sleek white oval pad with the three devices scattered across it. The company promised that AirPower would deliver a seamless charging experience, and it was expected to launch in 2018. However, as months passed with no release, rumors began to circulate about engineering difficulties.

Why Was AirPower Cancelled?

According to reports from credible sources at the time, Apple faced significant technical hurdles that ultimately proved insurmountable. The core issue was heat management. Charging multiple devices simultaneously on a single pad required a complex array of 21 to 24 overlapping charging coils. These coils generated substantial heat, which could cause the devices to overheat, reduce charging efficiency, and potentially damage batteries.

Additionally, the Apple Watch uses a proprietary wireless charging standard (based on Qi but with modifications), which added another layer of complexity. The Watch’s charger operates at a different frequency and requires specific alignment. Integrating support for both the standard Qi protocol and the Watch’s custom protocol in a single multi-coil mat proved difficult to implement reliably. Apple reportedly could not get the device to charge consistently without overheating, and the project was scrapped after months of internal testing.

What Did Apple Say Officially?

In a rare statement to TechCrunch on March 29, 2019, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, Dan Riccio, said: “After much effort, we’ve concluded AirPower will not achieve our high standards, and we have cancelled the project. We apologize to those customers who were looking forward to this launch. We continue to believe that the future is wireless and are committed to push the wireless experience forward.�

This was an unusual move for Apple, which rarely publicly cancels a product after announcing it. The company did not offer any further details about the specific technical failures.

Impact on Apple’s Wireless Charging Ecosystem

Despite AirPower’s cancellation, Apple continued to embrace wireless charging. The company introduced a new wireless charging case for AirPods in 2019, which works with standard Qi chargers. The Apple Watch continues to use its proprietary magnetic charging puck, but newer models (from Series 4 onward) support the Qi standard for third-party chargers, albeit with some limitations.

Apple also introduced MagSafe in 2020, a magnetic wireless charging system for iPhones that uses aligned magnets to ensure proper coil alignment. While MagSafe is not a multi-device mat, it addresses one of the key problems AirPower was meant to solve—reliable alignment—and it has been well-received. Apple also sells a MagSafe Duo charger that can charge an iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously, but it is not a single mat; it has two distinct charging zones.

Third-Party Alternatives That Filled the Gap

After AirPower’s cancellation, several third-party manufacturers released multi-device wireless charging pads that attempt to mimic the AirPower concept. Products like the Mophie 3-in-1 wireless charging pad and the Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad offer dedicated spots for an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. However, these devices require precise placement over specific coils, and they do not offer the “anywhere on the mat� freedom that AirPower promised.

Some companies have developed multi-coil charging pads that allow more flexible placement, but they are generally larger and more expensive. None have achieved the seamless experience Apple envisioned, largely due to the same heat and interference issues that plagued AirPower.

Common Misconceptions About AirPower

One common misconception is that AirPower was cancelled because Apple could not make it work with the Apple Watch’s proprietary charging protocol. While that was a factor, it was not the sole reason. The primary issue was heat management across the entire mat. Another misconception is that AirPower would have charged devices faster than standard Qi chargers. In fact, it was expected to deliver the same 5W charging speed as other Qi chargers at the time, not faster. The main selling point was convenience, not speed.

Some also believe that Apple intentionally delayed AirPower to push MagSafe, but the timeline does not support this. AirPower was cancelled in 2019, and MagSafe was not introduced until October 2020, suggesting that MagSafe was a separate development, not a replacement plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Apple ever release an AirPower-like product?

As of now, Apple has not announced any plans to revive AirPower. However, the company continues to work on wireless technology, and it is possible that a future version could overcome the technical challenges. For now, MagSafe and third-party multi-chargers are the available options.

Can I use a third-party multi-charger with my Apple Watch?

Yes, many third-party chargers support the Apple Watch, but you should check that the charger is certified by Apple (MFi) to ensure compatibility and safety. The Apple Watch uses a modified Qi protocol, so not all Qi chargers will work with it.

Why does the Apple Watch not work with standard Qi chargers?

The Apple Watch uses a proprietary wireless charging standard that is based on Qi but includes additional communication protocols. Apple has not fully licensed this standard to third-party manufacturers, so only chargers that are specifically designed for the Apple Watch will work reliably.

Is MagSafe faster than AirPower would have been?

MagSafe supports up to 15W charging on iPhone 12 and later models, which is faster than the 5W standard Qi charging that AirPower was expected to provide. However, AirPower’s main advantage was multi-device charging, not speed.

What happened to the AirPower prototypes?

Apple never sold AirPower, and it is unclear what happened to the prototypes. Some were likely kept for internal testing, while others may have been destroyed. No official information has been released.

Can I still buy an AirPower mat?

No, AirPower was never released to the public. Any listings online for “AirPower� are either third-party imitations or fake products. Be cautious of such listings, as they may not meet safety standards.

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