If you've got your hands on an Apple-branded MagSafe Charger, you can follow the steps below to check the current firmware version that your charger is running. Apple occasionally sends‌ firmware updates to accessories over the air that contain bug fixes and improvements, so this is a good way of checking that your charger is up-to-date.

magsafe1
Perhaps more importantly, if you're able to follow these steps for your Apple ‌MagSafe‌ or Apple ‌MagSafe‌ Duo charger, then you'll know that it's a genuine Apple product and not a cheap knock-off, the latter of which could potentially damage your iPhone.

The method described below will also enable you to check the model number, which may come in useful if the device needs replacing by Apple. It's important to note that if you have an Apple-sanctioned third-party ‌MagSafe‌ accessories like Belkin's offering, you won't be able to see a firmware version or model number using these steps – that doesn't mean they're not genuine, however, so keep this caveat in mind.

  1. Place your ‌iPhone‌ on the Apple ‌MagSafe‌ Charger so that the magnets are aligned and charging is established (if your device is locked, you should see the charging animation appear on the screen. If it's unlocked, check the battery icon in the top-corner of the screen to make sure the charging symbol is shown.)
    iphone 12 magsafe charger

  2. Launch the Settings app on your iOS device, then tap General -> About.
    settings

  3. Scroll down and tap Apple MagSafe Charger.
    settings

  4. Check the numbers shown beside the Firmware Version and Model Number entries.
    settings

If the ‌MagSafe‌ Charger menu doesn't display in the About section of the Settings app, there's a good chance that your Apple-branded ‌MagSafe‌ Charger or Charger Duo is a fake, in which case you should stop using it and demand a refund from the seller. Again, this menu cannot be brought up when using an Apple-approved third-party ‌MagSafe‌ charger, so keep that in mind too.

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Black

Apple Just Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever After Beats

Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio. Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014. Q.ai has...
imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Apple Creator Studio

Apple's Next Launch is Today

Tuesday January 27, 2026 2:39 pm PST by
Update: Apple Creator Studio is now available. Apple Creator Studio launches this Wednesday, January 28. The all-in-one subscription provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium...
apple silicon 1 feature

Apple Responds to Skyrocketing RAM and Storage Chip Prices

Thursday January 29, 2026 2:40 pm PST by
On an earnings call with equity analysts today, Apple CEO Tim Cook responded to fast-rising RAM and SSD storage chip prices in the supply chain. Prices for RAM and NAND storage chips are surging lately due to high demand from companies building out AI servers, resulting in supply constraints. Cook said that rising memory chip prices had a "minimal impact" on Apple's gross margin in the...