Apple imposes strict guidelines on MagSafe accessory makers

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in General Discussion
Apple's design guidelines for third-party MagSafe accessories, which contain extensive regulations that accessory makers must follow, have surfaced online.

Credit: Andrew O'Hara, AppleInsider
Credit: Andrew O'Hara, AppleInsider


Specific guidelines related to MagSafe were spotted in a broader Accessory Design Guidelines document by Twitter user Gustavo Fontana. They occupy a small portion of the in-depth document, but outline some of the stringent guidelines that accessory makers must follow.

For example, the guidelines specify which type of magnets that third-party companies must use in order to be MagSafe compatible. They also offer details about the positioning and orientation of the magnets in an accessory.

The specific kind of magnet required is dictated as a N45SH NdFeB with type a specific NiCuNi plating finish.

Cases that are MagSafe-compatible must also enclose a device and be no thicker than 2.1mm (though 2mm is recommended). Additionally, there are specific force requirements for when a user attaches or removes a case.

There are also extensive specifications for orientation, flux density, and magnetic polarity to ensure that MagSafe accessories can properly attach themselves to a compatible device.

MagSafe is a new feature on Apple's iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro devices. It allows for faster wireless charging, but also enables a range of different accessories like cases and snap-on wallets.

Apple requires accessory makers that tout MagSafe compatibility to comply with all of the guidelines. The full PDF document is available here, and the MagSafe portion begins on page 82.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    yojimbo007yojimbo007 Posts: 1,165member
    Instruction number 1 in the guidelines:   DO NOT DO what we did with our MAGSAFE Wallet !  Its existence is only to show what not to do! 
    edited November 2020 watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 9
    bageljoeybageljoey Posts: 2,004member
    yojimbo007 said:
    Instruction number 1 in the guidelines:   DO NOT DO what we did with our MAGSAFE Wallet !  Its existence is only to show what not to do! 
    Is the wallet out yet?  Or are you just upset about the idea of it?
    firelockRayz2016lkruppdoozydozenStrangeDayswatto_cobrajony0
  • Reply 3 of 9
    cy_starkmancy_starkman Posts: 653member
    bageljoey said:
    yojimbo007 said:
    Instruction number 1 in the guidelines:   DO NOT DO what we did with our MAGSAFE Wallet !  Its existence is only to show what not to do! 
    Is the wallet out yet?  Or are you just upset about the idea of it?
    there are plenty of reputable reviewers who have all said and shown that the wallet is really average and falls off without barely any effort.

    maybe there is more to life than being uninformed and snarky. then again, probably not.
  • Reply 4 of 9
    caladaniancaladanian Posts: 380member
    Good with strict guidelines for the consumer: higher probability that it will work in 3rd-party devices as intended. :smile: 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 9
    Apple_BarApple_Bar Posts: 134member
    cy_starkman said:
    bageljoey said:
    yojimbo007 said:
    Instruction number 1 in the guidelines:   DO NOT DO what we did with our MAGSAFE Wallet !  Its existence is only to show what not to do! 
    Is the wallet out yet?  Or are you just upset about the idea of it?
    there are plenty of reputable reviewers who have all said and shown that the wallet is really average and falls off without barely any effort.

    maybe there is more to life than being uninformed and snarky. then again, probably not.
    “reputable reviewers” sure there are plenty of those. /s

    Bottom line is “Apple is doomed” will get you more clicks....

    just wait for the wallet to come out and try it yourself....

    lkruppdoozydozenwatto_cobrajony0
  • Reply 6 of 9
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member
    bageljoey said:
    yojimbo007 said:
    Instruction number 1 in the guidelines:   DO NOT DO what we did with our MAGSAFE Wallet !  Its existence is only to show what not to do! 
    Is the wallet out yet?  Or are you just upset about the idea of it?
    There’s a certain personality disorder which exhibits constant bitching, whining, and hand ringing over something, ANYTHING. I believe this particular bitch is about a pundit somewhere saying the MagSafe wallet could separate from the phone when jamming it into a pocket. You know, the usual doomsday, apocalypse scenario.
    StrangeDayswatto_cobrajony0
  • Reply 7 of 9
    anantksundaramanantksundaram Posts: 20,404member
    yojimbo007 said:
    Instruction number 1 in the guidelines:   DO NOT DO what we did with our MAGSAFE Wallet !  Its existence is only to show what not to do! 
    The things are not even out yet, so relax. And if it does as you say, return it. Relax some more.

    Bottom line, cut the FUD.
    StrangeDayswatto_cobrajony0
  • Reply 8 of 9
    SarkanySarkany Posts: 60member
    Apple_Bar said:
    cy_starkman said:
    bageljoey said:
    yojimbo007 said:
    Instruction number 1 in the guidelines:   DO NOT DO what we did with our MAGSAFE Wallet !  Its existence is only to show what not to do! 
    Is the wallet out yet?  Or are you just upset about the idea of it?
    there are plenty of reputable reviewers who have all said and shown that the wallet is really average and falls off without barely any effort.

    maybe there is more to life than being uninformed and snarky. then again, probably not.
    “reputable reviewers” sure there are plenty of those. /s

    Bottom line is “Apple is doomed” will get you more clicks....

    just wait for the wallet to come out and try it yourself....

    The wallet is attached to the iPhone by a pair of weak magnets. Nobody has to try it to see how much of a problem it would cause if the phone is not handled properly while the wallet is attached. I’ve seen enough videos of those reputable reviewers to not waste my money on the wallet.
  • Reply 9 of 9
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,877member
    cy_starkman said:
    bageljoey said:
    yojimbo007 said:
    Instruction number 1 in the guidelines:   DO NOT DO what we did with our MAGSAFE Wallet !  Its existence is only to show what not to do! 
    Is the wallet out yet?  Or are you just upset about the idea of it?
    there are plenty of reputable reviewers who have all said and shown that the wallet is really average and falls off without barely any effort.

    maybe there is more to life than being uninformed and snarky. then again, probably not.
    If you think that was snark, yikes...thin skin. 

    Legit question. I don't scour the web for reviews on minor accessories, I haven't anything about it either. 
    watto_cobra
Sign In or Register to comment.