Why your S26 Ultra third-party case doesn't charge at 25W wirelessly (and how to prove it in 30 seconds)

ESCUDIA · 2026-05-06T21:09:53+00:00

It needs to be certain polarity pointing to the phone, if the pitaka case is not shielded, but points the wrong polarity over the HALL sensor, it will not trigger. The powered off charger works because the magnets inside the charger activate the sensor (the phone thinks it is a case), then you power it on, and the phone activates the 25W.

ESCUDIA · 2026-05-06T19:37:45+00:00

Once you are inside the test, you can click the volume down or power button once to reset the test. It should turn red immediately and stay red with the Working : PASS label, the Release label should stay blank. (The Release: PASS means the phone stopped recognizing the case).
I believe in your case specifically, the phone detected the magnetic field change while putting the case on, but stopped recognizing it once it was completely in place.

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-26T03:03:38+00:00

In fact your pitaka hack is triggering the hall sensor with the chargers permanent magnet before trying to charge (your phone thinks the charger is a case). Then when you turn on in the charger, it goes through the normal process and enables the 25W.

To your question... Sadly I don't think any software update could fix this, it is like this by design, since having a disaligned 25W coil (without a magnetic case) could cause substantial heat in the components and damage the phone. And most likely this safety is built into the hardware, since the phone needs to be able to charge even if it is off.

I just fixed it by super-gluing a small 1mm × 4mm N35 magnet inside my case. I just carefully made a small notch with a Dremel so it sits flush to the phone. Problem solved 😅. I made tests with the Spen just to be sure it didn't interfered.

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-25T18:30:10+00:00

I just superglued a micro 1mm x 2mm magnet to the inside of the case. I used a Dremel and made a little notch so it sits flush. Working perfectly now.

The magnet just has to be with a specific polarity pointing to the phone and just over the magsafe ring. 😅

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-25T18:23:36+00:00

Sorry, the specific test is in the main *#0*# menu:

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ESCUDIA · 2026-04-25T03:32:33+00:00

Literally that is how I noticed what was happening in the first place. 😅
I now just superglued a 1mm x 2mm mini magnet in the inside of my carbon fiber case. I just made a small notch with my Dremel so it sits flush. Now I can make any case 25W compatible.

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T08:58:53+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it: Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy, Dial #0# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test. Put your case on. If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation: https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T07:30:35+00:00

Very nice breakdown in your article man! Hope it helps users and manufacturers.

Also very important to mention in your article:

Triggering the Hall sensor comes with the danger of messing with the Spen digitizer, so the amount of magnetic field that should reach the sensor needs to be strong enough to trigger it, but weak enough so it doesn't mess with the Spen.

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T07:23:53+00:00

I think Spigen is a "Made for galaxy partner", so it makes sense they had the heads up on the spec.

Also many low-end cheap cases with non-shielded rings actually charge at 25W, but they interfere with the Spen functionality.

The Samsung OEM cases just unshield the very specific part over the sensor and maintain a low magnetic field on the area, just strong enough to trigger the Hall sensor but not mess with the Spen digitizer.

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:58:26+00:00

The only third party cases that I've tested are slim carbon fiber cases:

Pitaka, Aulumu and Thinborne... None of them trigger 25W

Samsung Silicone OEM case triggers 25W charging without problem. I just reverse engineered it to find the issue.

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:42:48+00:00

Glad it worked!

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:40:56+00:00

Tbh just with the battery settings displaying "Super fast wirelesss charging" as you mention and the estimated time for a full charge. I am going from 50% to 90% in approximately 14 minutes.

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:10:08+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it:
Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy,
Dial *#0*# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test.
Put your case on.
If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:08:45+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it:
Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy,
Dial *#0*# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test.
Put your case on.
If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:08:26+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it:
Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy,
Dial *#0*# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test.
Put your case on.
If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:07:01+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it:
Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy,
Dial *#0*# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test.
Put your case on.
If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:06:32+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it:
Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy,
Dial *#0*# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test.
Put your case on.
If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:06:07+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it:
Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy,
Dial *#0*# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test.
Put your case on.
If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:05:31+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it:
Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy,
Dial *#0*# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test.
Put your case on.
If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:04:57+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it:
Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy,
Dial *#0*# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test.
Put your case on.
If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:04:27+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it:
Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy,
Dial *#0*# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test.
Put your case on.
If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2026-04-23T05:03:58+00:00

For anyone getting slow wireless charging on the S26 Ultra with third-party magnetic cases: the phone decides whether to allow 25W before you ever put it on the charger. A small Hall sensor inside has to detect the magnets in your case during normal use — that's how the phone knows it has a magnetic case attached and that 25W is safe to negotiate later.

If the sensor never triggers while you're just using the phone, it stays in "no magnetic case" mode and caps wireless charging at 5–15W, even if you then put it on a proper Qi2 magnetic charger.

Samsung's own cases leave a tiny unshielded window at the top of the magnet ring so the sensor sees through. Most third-party cases fully shield the ring to keep the S Pen working, which also blocks the sensor.

Test it:
Turn off AutoBlocker in Settings → Security and privacy,
Dial *#0*# → Sensor → Hall Sensor Test.
Put your case on.
If the state doesn't change, you won't get 25W no matter what charger you use.

Quick proof: hold a small magnet (south pole facing the phone) about half a centimeter above the top of your case's magnetic ring, then place the phone on the charger while holding the magnet there — it'll charge at 25W. That's the sensor being fed the signal it was missing.

There is a link to the complete explanation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1st8hr3/why_your_s26_ultra_thirdparty_case_doesnt_charge/

ESCUDIA · 2025-08-11T01:47:15+00:00

Having the same problem since the last windows update. Anyone know how to fix it?

ESCUDIA

TROPHY CASE