Wireless charging has been around for years, but HTC hasn’t been a huge fan of the technology. The last big name phone from HTC to feature wireless charging was the HTC Droid DNA from two years ago. When that phone came out, we were hoping it marked a shift at HTC, but then the company introduced the HTC One (M7) the following spring with an aluminum chassis. For those who don’t know, aluminum and wireless power technologies don’t work well together. HTC could include wireless charging in its mid-range Desire phones, but we doubt that will ever happen since wireless charging is a “premium” feature which is typically only included in flagship devices.
Fortunately, we’re have a solution which can be used to add wireless charging to any Android phone – and it costs less than $10. We recently picked up a micro USB Wireless Charging Receiver Module on Amazon which allows any device equipped with a micro UBS port to be charged with compatible Qi wireless chargers. The accessory is so cheap and simple that we’re surprised it’s not one of the top selling items on Amazon.
What you’ll need
- DigiYes micro USB Wireless Charging Receiver Module (they have different models based on the orientation and location of your phone’s micro USB port)
- Android smartphone (we recommend the HTC One (M8)
- Smartphone case (Speck is always a good choice)
- Qi compatible wireless charger (the eBoot 360 and TYLT Vu are great options)
How to add Qi wireless charging to your Android smartphone
- Unbox the DigiYes micro USB Wireless Charging Receiver Module
- Plug it into your phone’s micro USB ports
- Wrap the receiver module around the back of the phone and secure it with a the included strip of double-sided tape.
- Place your phone and the connected receiver module inside your favorite smartphone case
- Put phone on a compatible Qi wireless charger
That’s all there is to it. We’ve successfully tested the DigiYes micro USB Wireless Charging Receiver Module with a half dozen HTC devices (including the Nexus 9) and dozens of different cases. We hope HTC will find a way to add wireless charging to its flagship phones in 2015, but we’re content for now with this cheap and reliable workaround.
I am curious if this works with two piece cases such as the Otterbox commuter case
It should. The speck case for the M7 that we show at the end of the video with thicker than most two-piece cases from otterbox.
Gotcha… I was more concerned about the micro USB connector fitting under the cover flap.
Does this work with the Double Dip cases? That’s what I use most often.
meant to add for the m7 using double dip?
I think not worth effort. M8 has great battery so no need for wanking with little juice. Lol
What about if the htc m8 ubs port is broken would the reciever still work
No, it will not work since this plugs into the USB port of your phone
Swapping out the USB “charging flex port” was pretty simple and cost $10-15. Took me an hour to do it.
This QI charging, is this the same as the new IKEA furniture wireless charging? I think its called VITAHULT. Will this work on this do you know?
Yes it will. The Ikea furniture is Qi compatible.
> … or any Android phone
Any?
Really? Even the phones that don’t have replaceable batteries… and you can’t
remove the back at all?
What a great, accurate article!
I am curious if this would work for a phone that is starting to have trouble with the mini USB port, I have to have the cable sitting just right for the phone to charge. Thanks.