USB-C meets Lightning — and wireless power sharing is almost within reach.Credit: Baurzhan Ibrashev from Getty Images
Think of this: you are at 3% battery, you’re stranded in a café, and all you have is your friend’s fully charged iPhone. Usually, it would mean panic, but now Apple is reporting that you can charge an iPhone to iPhone. A long-awaited feature that lets one iPhone wirelessly share its battery with another, like a digital act of kindness. It is no magic, and it isn’t quite here yet, but the technology is closer than ever. So, how would it actually work, and will your iPhone be generous enough to share?.
How does iPhone-to-iPhone charging work?
This feature is based on what is known as reverse wireless charging, which is already available on some Android devices. In short:
- One iPhone acts as a portable charger
- Transferring power through a MagSafe-style wireless contact
So, how does it work?
- You place two iPhones, back to back, aligning their coils.
- A setting will activate the feature either in Control Centre or battery options.
- The “Host” begins to send power to the other, slowly but steadily, wirelessly.
Now it will not give you a full charge, but it will be close enough to get you through an emergency. Think of it as a battery boost, and not a full refuel. Apple has already enabled similar charging for the Apple Watch and AirPods on newer models, making iPhone-to-iPhone charging less sci-fi than it sounds.
When will it be available, and who will be eligible to receive it?
Apple has reportedly been holding on to this feature since the iPhone 11 era, with hints buried in many patents and developer code. Recent leaks suggest that iPhone-to-iPhone charging may finally be launched with iOS 18.
The iPhone 16 now supports reverse wireless charging via USB-C. This means you can plug in another device, such as AirPods or another iPhone, and share power using a cable. However, the highly anticipated wireless battery sharing feature between iPhones is still in development.
So, for now, if your iPhone is dying and your friend’s iPhone is full, then get that cable, connect the two, and you will still be in luck. And come autumn, you will be able to do it wirelessly.
