Charge AirPods (or Even an iPhone) With Your iPhone

Utsanjan Maity
June 27, 2025
Charging Your AirPods, Apple Watch, and More with Your iPhone's USB-C Port

Charging Your AirPods, Apple Watch, and More with Your iPhone's USB-C Port

The USB-C port on your iPhone or iPad (models with USB-C) offers a handy feature: the ability to charge other Apple devices. This is incredibly useful when you find yourself without a wall outlet or spare charger. This guide will explain how to utilize this convenient reverse charging capability.

iPhone 15 with USB-C port

Imagine this: your AirPods battery is critically low, and you're miles away from a charger. Instead of panicking, you can simply use your iPhone or iPad's battery to give your AirPods a power boost. This eliminates the need to carry around extra battery packs.

Charging iPhones with iPhones

The functionality extends beyond just accessories. If you plug an iPhone 15 or newer into another iPhone 15 or newer, a clever communication system kicks in. The two devices “talk” to each other, identifying which phone has less battery power. Power is then transferred from the device with the higher battery percentage to the one in need. This means if your battery is critically low and a friend's iPhone or iPad is fully charged, you can borrow some power to tide you over until you can find a proper charger.

Charging with Android Devices

This feature isn't limited to Apple devices. If your friend has a USB-C Android phone with USB Power Delivery (USB PD) support, you can also use it to charge your iPhone. USB PD is a standard that allows for fast and efficient power transfer. However, it's crucial to note that if the Android phone *doesn't* support USB PD, the results will be unpredictable. There's no guarantee which phone will charge the other; it could go either way.

What You'll Need

Charging AirPods with USB-C cable

The cables you need depend on what you're charging:

  • AirPods (Lightning port): A Lightning to USB-C cable.
  • AirPods (USB-C Charging Case): A USB-C to USB-C cable.
  • Apple Watch: A USB-C charging puck.

It's important to be aware of the charging limitations. When using your iPhone 15 or later to charge another device, the charging speed is limited to 4.5W. This is perfectly adequate for devices like the Apple Watch, but it's going to result in rather slow charging for another iPhone. Don't expect fast charging speeds using this method.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

Many users have hoped for wireless reverse charging – the ability to place AirPods on the back of a MagSafe-enabled iPhone to charge them. Despite persistent rumors suggesting this feature is in development, it hasn't been released by Apple. For now, using a USB-C connection is the only reliable method for charging your AirPods and other accessories on the go.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

My iPhone isn't charging another device. What's wrong?

Several factors could be at play:

  • Incorrect cable: Ensure you're using the appropriate cable for your device (Lightning to USB-C for older AirPods, USB-C to USB-C for newer AirPods, and a dedicated USB-C charging puck for the Apple Watch).
  • Low battery on the charging iPhone: The charging iPhone needs sufficient battery life to provide power to another device. If its battery is low, it may not be able to charge another device.
  • Incompatible device: Android devices must support USB Power Delivery (USB PD) for reliable reverse charging.
  • Software issues: Try restarting both devices.

How fast will my device charge using reverse charging?

Expect very slow charging speeds. The maximum power output for reverse charging on iPhones is limited to 4.5W. This is sufficient for low-power devices like AirPods and Apple Watches, but charging another iPhone will take significantly longer.

Can I charge my iPad with my iPhone?

Currently, this isn't directly supported. The reverse charging feature primarily focuses on smaller accessories and other iPhones (iPhone 15 and later).

Is reverse charging damaging to my battery?

While reverse charging does consume battery power, it shouldn't cause significant damage. The power output is low, minimizing strain on the battery. However, avoid frequently using reverse charging as a primary charging method. It's best used for emergency situations.

This article, "Charge AirPods (or Even an iPhone) With Your iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums



from MacRumors
-via DynaSage