Apple is laying the groundwork for an iPhone smart connector, having secured a patent that describes a range of magnetic smart connector systems for its iPhones and iPads. The filing, granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office, details connectors designed for chargers and smart accessories, hinting at how future Apple devices could attach and communicate with add-ons magnetically.
What the iPhone smart connector patent covers
According to the report, the American tech company has patented several stylings of smart connectors. The patent details a variety of magnetic smart connectors intended for chargers and smart accessories that could be used across the iPhone and iPad lineup. The document outlines multiple applications, suggesting Apple is exploring more than one way to bring magnetic contact-based connections to its portable devices.
In other words, rather than describing a single design, the filing covers a series of approaches to the same idea. That breadth matters, because patents that cover several variations give a company room to choose the best implementation later. For the iPhone and iPad, it points to a future in which chargers and accessories could attach through magnetic surface contacts instead of relying solely on a physical port.
Patent filed almost two years ago
The company filed this patent application on April 10, 2018. The patent is titled 'Magnetic Surface Contacts' and includes a series of applications related to magnetic smart connectors. While the filing dates back to 2018, the granting of the patent renews interest in how Apple might use magnetic surface contacts in upcoming hardware.
It is worth remembering that a granted patent is not a confirmed product. Companies routinely patent ideas they never ship. Even so, the fact that Apple pursued this filing for several years, and that it spans multiple applications, signals sustained interest in magnetic connectors for the iPhone and iPad rather than a one-off concept.
How it fits with MagSafe and wireless charging
Most of Apple's portable electronics, from the Apple Watch to the iPhone, have shifted to wireless charging, with some devices compatible with MagSafe. A magnetic smart connector would build on this direction, potentially allowing accessories to snap on and exchange power or data through magnetic contacts rather than traditional ports.
This aligns neatly with the path Apple has already taken. The Apple Watch charges magnetically, and MagSafe has brought magnetic alignment back to the iPhone. A dedicated smart connector built around magnetic surface contacts would be a logical next step, extending that magnetic approach from charging alone to a broader range of accessories across the iPhone and iPad families.
Apple is also reportedly working on two MagSafe battery pack models for the iPhone 12. One of them is expected to be equipped with the battery pack's reverse charging technology. With reverse charging, the battery can charge AirPods from the other side, along with charging an iPhone 12. That combination of MagSafe accessories and magnetic charging shows how central magnets have become to Apple's recent hardware thinking. For more coverage of Apple's hardware, see our Apple section.
Quick reference
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Patent title | Magnetic Surface Contacts |
| Filing date | April 10, 2018 |
| Granting body | US Patent and Trademark Office |
| Intended devices | iPhone and iPad |
| Use cases | Chargers and smart accessories |
| Related tech | MagSafe, wireless charging |
Taken together, the patent suggests Apple continues to refine how its devices connect to power and accessories, moving further toward magnetic, contact-based solutions across the iPhone and iPad ranges.
