Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones won rave reviews at the end of 2017, especially for their superb software and camera. Read our Google Pixel 2 review.
But the Pixel 2 failed in one regard: it lacks wireless charging, which its Pixel 3 and 3 XL successors adapted.
Although not as mainstream as manufacturers would like, wireless charging is transformative: once you’re used to it, going without seems like a big step backward.
You can wirelessly charge your devices at cafés, airports and of course at home or in the office. Most use the Qi standard. Check out the best wireless chargers.
Simply place the phone on the charger and it begins to power up again. It makes charging as easy as putting your phone down – no searching for the right cable or a USB socket!
But it is possible to add wireless charging functionality to the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL despite the fact that there aren’t any wireless-charging cases for these Android smartphones (the closest you can get a is a battery case, like this one for the Newdery Pixel 2 XL, but it doesn’t allow wireless charging).
Add wireless charging to the Pixel 2 and XL
You need two inexpensive accessories to add wireless charging to the Google Pixel 2 and XL.
First, you need a Type C Wireless Charging Receiver. We used the Nillkin Magic Tag USB C Qi Wireless Charger Receiver Chip (Short Version).
It costs £10.99 from Amazon UK and $12.99 from Amazon.com.
Compatible with any Qi wireless charger, the Nillkin Magic Tag doesn’t cover the fingerprint sensor of small-size phones like the Google Pixel.
It is ultra-slim at only 0.16cm, and adds minimal bulk to your phone.
Second, you need a slim case for your phone, if you don’t already own one. You can actually do without the case, and just stick the charging receiver to the back of your phone, but we recommend a case to protect the charger and your phone. We always recommend a protective case for your phone.
We like the Spigen thin-fit case for Pixel 2. It costs £9.99 from Amazon UK or $11.99 from Amazon.com. It has a QNMP compatible slot, which will allow for the receiver, but you can use any thin case if you prefer as the receiver is so thin. For the Pixel 2 XL it’s available from Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Another case we tested was the Spigen Google Pixel 2 Case Rugged Armor Pixel 2 Case Cover. It costs £9.99 from Amazon UK or $12.99 from Amazon.com. It lacks the QNMP slot but worked just fine for us. You can get the same for the Pixel 2 XL: £9.99 from Amazon UK and $10.99 from Amazon US.
See our round up of the best Pixel 2 and 2 XL cases.
Place the receiver inside the case (above shows theSpigen thin-fit case for Pixel 2 with its slot, but most thin cases will do), and connect the Type C connector to the Pixel 2’s port. Then put the phone in the case.
Now your Pixel 2 should be ready for wireless charging.
Some wireless chargers can be fiddly to place your phone on, and one of the best we found, which we used in our tests, was the Anker Qi-Certified PowerPort Wireless 5 Stand Wireless Charger (£19.99 or in the US $16.99). Some other charger stands were a bit fussy about where the phone sat, but not this one.
This charges your phone wirelessly, and also works as a stand for your phone. Just pop it on and it will start to charge back to full power.