Wireless charging while also plugged into power - Safe? (in a car)

[PaulQ]

Let me preface this by saying my car's manual doesn't address this. (obviously?)

My new car has a wireless charging pad in the center console. This is also the location where you plug in the cable for Android Auto. That cable charges the phone too. The natural place to put the phone when plugged in is on the wireless pad.

Doing the math - a possible scenario is that it can be plugged into a power source AND be on a live charging pad.

At least once, I saw the wireless light turned on while my phone was sitting there. Maybe a fluke. From then on, I turned off the wireless charger.

Before I "play around" to see if it consistently and continuously disables the pad on its own when plugged in, do any of you know if the phone itself has a protocol for when this scenario happens? Or - does it just charge faster?

Thanks!

 

[Rukbat]

Whether the receiver in the phone is drawing power from the pad or not (that's what turns the light on), if the phone is plugged in, it's not charging from the pad. It's an either-or circuit.

 

[PaulQ]

Whether the receiver in the phone is drawing power from the pad or not (that's what turns the light on), if the phone is plugged in, it's not charging from the pad. It's an either-or circuit.

First, I am inclined to go with what you (Rukbat) say here.

But, for the record, I actually recalled there was Pixel "support" this morning and decided to chat with them about this issue (before I saw your post here). Unsurprisingly, it was a strained conversation. The transcript below starts after I had already explained the question once. This starts with me rephrasing the question.

Paul
If I plug my phone in, it sits on top of the wireless charging pad. So - it is plugged into the car with a cable AND sitting on the wireless charging pad that is on.

Paul
Is that going to damage my phone?

Harry
Paul, I would like to inform you that while the device is connected to 2 different charging source so it might damage the device, as we never recommend it.

Harry
This could affect the battery.

Paul
So the phone has nothing to prevent it. It just starts charging from both sources?

Harry
Yes. we can not disable any one of them, as it is made on the mechanism that is we will put the device on charging pad, it will charge.

Paul
I'm not sure I understand. What does the phone do when it's on a charging pad and plugged in at the same time?

Harry
Paul, it will usually charge. However the excess amount of power could affect the battery.

Paul
Ok, so it does charge from both sources at the same time? I want to be sure I understand so if I talk to my car manufacturer I can tell them what the phone does.

Paul
It does not cut off either source, right?

Harry
Yes, that is correct!​

So, I don't think I got an informed answer to my question. Not helpful. I think the "either-or" explanation makes sense.

 

[Mike Dee]

I believe the wired circuit takes priority when plugged in and disables the charging coil