Qi, Qi2 wireless charging protocols (standards)

​Qi is an open, collaborative wireless charging standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), and has become one of the most widely adopted standards within the consumer electronics market. 

It is a very popular open standard for wireless charging first released in 2008. In April 2023 new Qi2 standard was released. One of the noticeable features of Qi2 is incorporating Apple MagSafe technology - a magnetic connection that improves the correct orientation of the charged device and improves user experience.

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Versions of Qi standard:

• Qi1.0 - Qi Baseline Power Profile (BPP) - low power power profile capable of providing up to 5W of energy. Data transmission is unidirectional from the power transmitter to the receiver.

• Qi1.1 - Introduced foreign object detection and support of multiple power transmitters.

• Qi1.2 - Qi Extended Power Profile (EPP) - provides 15W and EPP5 (EPP protocol restricted to provide up to 5W). Power receivers get their own ID and implement optimized performance related to thermal control. It was introduced bi-directional communication between the power transmitter and receiver.

• Qi1.3 - General improvements related to Foreign Object Detection (FOD) and secure authentication to improve power negotiation between transmitter and receiver working on different Qi standards.

• Qi2.0 - The latest standard, provides 15W, It introduced MPP - Magnetic Power Profile which derives from Apple's MagSafe but it's an open standard. It supports legacy BPP and EPP profiles.  The transmitter and receiver operate at a frequency of 360KHz, compared to BPP & EPP’s operating frequency range of 87KHz to 205KHz. MPP's improved communication lets it transfer data four times faster compared to previous power profiles, which also enables faster authentication. The frequency was changed in order to avoid interference with other devices such as car key fobs. Foreign object detection was improved (MPLA technology) for safety reasons and better user experience.​​​

• Qi2.1 - The evolutionary development of the Qi2.0 standard, adds the ability to charge not only smartphones, but also accessories (such as a case with headphones) with built-in orientation magnets (MPP profile), support for Automatic Alignment Profile (AAP) ensures better alignment of the device being charged in relation to the coil location, which will reduce power loss and heat generation, improve safety, and control temperature.

• Qi2.2.1 (WPC announced on July 23, 2025) - charging power increased to 25W, along with the announcement, a branded name for the standard is introduced - Qi2 25W.