Reverse wireless charging, also known as battery sharing, allows certain smartphones to transfer energy to another compatible device simply by placing them back to back. This feature is well known with Samsung, Huawei, or Google Pixel, but what about iPhones? Can you really share your battery with other Apple devices?
Is battery sharing available on recent iPhones?
To date, Apple has not activated a user-accessible reverse wireless charging function, even on the most advanced models like the iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, several technical documents and patents filed by the brand indicate that the integrated hardware would theoretically allow such a capability since the iPhone 12.
According to teardown analyses conducted by iFixit and other specialized sources, some components present in iPhones are compatible with bilateral charging, notably thanks to MagSafe technology. However, Apple has not yet authorized this function in iOS, at least for end users.
In what cases can an iPhone still transfer energy?
Since the arrival of MagSafe, a very limited use of passive energy transfer is possible: when an iPhone is connected to a wired charging source and a MagSafe accessory (like the AirPods Pro case) is placed on the back, the iPhone transmits a small amount of energy to recharge the accessory.
This remains marginal and only concerns products certified by Apple (AirPods, Apple Watch under certain conditions). It is not possible to charge another smartphone, tablet, or third-party accessory with your iPhone.
Why hasn’t Apple activated this feature yet?
Several hypotheses circulate among industry analysts:
- The battery capacity of iPhones remains lower than that of many Android competitors. Apple therefore prioritizes the autonomy of the main device over energy sharing.
- Thermal and power management requirements imposed by the iOS system might be stricter, limiting the authorization of functions that could affect stability or energy security.
- Strategic reasons may also explain this choice: Apple could reserve this function for a future version of iOS or a better-optimized hardware generation.
Towards an upcoming activation of reverse charging on iPhone?
There are indications that Apple might activate this function in a future software update. In 2021, a document from the FCC (American regulatory authority) mentioned that the iPhone 12 already had the necessary hardware capabilities for energy transfer to other devices.
Some experts believe that the launch of a more complete MagSafe ecosystem (new AirPods, Apple Watch, connected accessories) could justify the activation of such a function in the future. For now, however, no public version of iOS allows it to be used freely.
Alternatives for charging devices from an iPhone
While waiting for an official activation, there are options to optimize power between your Apple devices:
- Use an external MagSafe battery, which attaches directly to the back of the iPhone and allows you to charge a second device in parallel.
- Use a hub or a double cable (Lightning + USB-C) to simultaneously power two devices from an external source.
- Take advantage of energy sharing via the iPad, which now supports certain transfers via its USB-C port to other Apple devices.