Graphite fluorides have become promising electrode materials for lithium batteries while their applications in magnesium batteries are rarely reported. Here we demonstrate for the first time CF0.8 as a cathode material for magnesium batteries with a high discharge capacity of more than 800mAhg−1. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the charge/discharge measurements are used to characterize its structure and electrochemical performance. SEM indicates that CF0.8 sample is a layered structure with the thickness of approximately 300∼400nm. The CF0.8 cathode exhibits a high discharge capacity of 813.4mAhg−1 after discharging to 0.5V at 20mAg−1 in 0.4M (PhMgCl)2-AlCl3/THF electrolyte (named as APC/THF). Discharge product MgF2 is confirmed by EDX and XPS measurements. Addition of LiCl to APC/THF solution can not only enhance the gravimetric energy densities but also greatly improve the rate performance. The possible function mechanism is proposed and discussed.