Reverse wireless charging—also known as bilateral wireless charging—is a feature that allows a smartphone to act as a charging pad for other devices, such as wireless earbuds or smartwatches. Some Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S series and select Huawei devices already offer this function. But what about the iPhone? Can you use your iPhone to charge your AirPods or Apple Watch?
In short: No, you cannot currently charge your AirPods or Apple Watch directly from an iPhone using reverse wireless charging. However, there are signs that Apple may be working toward enabling this in the future, and certain workarounds exist using Apple’s ecosystem.
Let’s explore what’s possible now, what’s not, and what Apple might introduce down the line.
🔋 What Is Reverse Wireless Charging?
Reverse wireless charging allows a device like a smartphone to share its battery power wirelessly with another device. The primary use case is for charging small accessories like:
- Wireless earbuds (AirPods)
- Smartwatches (Apple Watch)
- Another smartphone (in emergencies)
The phone with reverse charging capabilities essentially acts like a wireless charging pad, transferring power through the back panel using the Qi wireless charging standard or a proprietary system.
❌ Can iPhones Reverse Charge AirPods or Apple Watch?
Current Status:
No iPhone model, including the latest iPhone 15 series, officially supports reverse wireless charging to power other Apple devices like AirPods or Apple Watch.
✅ What You Can Do:
- Use your iPhone to manage or monitor battery status of AirPods and Apple Watch.
- Charge your AirPods or Apple Watch using their respective chargers plugged into a power source (not your iPhone).
- Use an iPhone with a MagSafe Battery Pack which supports pass-through charging when the phone is plugged in.
📱 Apple Hardware Capabilities and Rumors
Interestingly, there is some evidence that recent iPhones may include dormant hardware capable of reverse charging.
Clues:
- In 2021, Apple confirmed to the FCC that iPhone 12 models include wireless charging hardware that could support accessory charging, though it is not enabled for user use.
- Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack can charge while magnetically attached to the iPhone and the iPhone is plugged into power—indirect reverse charging, in a sense.
- Multiple tech analysts and Apple patents have hinted that future iOS updates or models could unlock reverse wireless charging features.
🔍 As of now, Apple has not enabled or announced reverse charging support for accessories like AirPods or Apple Watch in any version of iOS or iPhone hardware.
🔌 Can the iPhone Charge Accessories in Any Other Way?
Although true wireless reverse charging isn’t available, here are some practical options to charge your Apple accessories using your iPhone or related accessories:
USB-C iPhones (iPhone 15 and newer):
- You can charge AirPods Pro (2nd gen with USB-C) by connecting them via a USB-C to USB-C cable from your iPhone.
- Wired reverse charging is supported between compatible Apple devices that use USB-C.
MagSafe Battery Pack (With iPhone Charging Pass-Through):
- If your iPhone is plugged into power while using the MagSafe Battery Pack, the battery pack can charge both your iPhone and your AirPods (if placed on the back of the battery).
MagSafe Duo Charger (Accessory):
- This Apple product allows you to simultaneously charge your iPhone and Apple Watch on a single foldable pad.
✅ These methods offer some flexibility in charging multiple devices while traveling or at your desk, even if true reverse wireless charging isn’t active yet.
💡 Why Doesn’t Apple Support Reverse Wireless Charging (Yet)?
There are a few reasons why Apple may be slow to implement this feature:
Battery Efficiency Concerns
- iPhones have smaller batteries compared to flagship Android phones.
- Sharing power wirelessly could drain the iPhone’s battery rapidly, which might lead to poor user experience.
Heat Management
- Wireless charging generates heat. Reverse charging would require thermal adjustments to avoid overheating.
Performance Control
- Apple prioritizes battery health, device efficiency, and long-term performance, possibly waiting until the feature meets their strict standards before releasing it.
🚀 What Could the Future Hold?
Apple has filed patents and tested hardware that suggest reverse wireless charging is on their roadmap. In the future, you may be able to:
- Snap your AirPods to the back of your iPhone to top them off
- Place your Apple Watch on the iPhone to give it a quick charge
- Charge your iPhone from another iPhone
Until then, users can rely on MagSafe chargers, USB-C cables (iPhone 15+), and dual charging docks for power-sharing convenience.
✅ Summary: No Reverse Wireless Charging on iPhone—Yet
At present, iPhones do not support reverse wireless charging for AirPods, Apple Watch, or any other accessories. While hardware hints suggest it could be possible in the future, Apple has not enabled this feature. You can still use other Apple-approved accessories like the MagSafe Duo, MagSafe Battery Pack, or USB-C cables (on newer iPhones) to charge your devices together efficiently.
Quick Facts:
| Feature | Available on iPhone? |
| Reverse wireless charging | ❌ Not supported (as of now) |
| USB-C to USB-C AirPods charging | ✅ On iPhone 15 and newer |
| MagSafe Battery Pass-through | ✅ When plugged in |
| Patents for reverse charging | ✅ In development |
Meta Description:
Can you charge AirPods or Apple Watch using your iPhone? Learn why reverse wireless charging isn’t available on iPhones yet, and discover current workarounds and future possibilities.
