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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. Apple has announced that iPhones can be charged by iPhones. Long-awaited technology that allows an iPhone to share its battery wirelessly with another iPhone, as a kind digital act. This is not a magic trick, nor is it yet available, but technology is getting closer. How would this actually work? And will your iPhone share with you?
How does iPhone to iPhone charging work?
This feature is built on what’s known as reverse wireless charging, Some Android devices already have this feature. The short version:
- One iPhone can be used as a portable charger
- Power transfer via a MagSafe style wireless contact
How does it work exactly?
- Two iPhones can be placed in the same case. Back to back The coils are aligned.
- The feature will be activated by a setting in Control Centre, battery options or both.
- The “Host”, slowly and steadily wirelessly, begins to send power from one to the other.
You won’t get a full recharge, but you will have enough power to survive an emergency. Consider it a boost in battery power, not a full recharge. Apple’s newer models already support similar charging of the Apple Watch and AirPods, so iPhone-to iPhone charging is not as futuristic as it may sound.
When will the product be available and who is eligible for it?
Apple has been hiding this feature in patents and code since the iPhone 11 days. Recent leaks indicate that iPhone-to iPhone charging could finally launch with iOS 18.
The iPhone 16 is now capable of reverse wireless charging through USB-C. You can now plug in another device such as AirPods, or another iPhone and share power via a cable. The much-anticipated wireless battery sharing between iPhones, however, is still under development.
If your iPhone dies and your friend’s iPhone is full then you can connect them both with the cable and still be lucky. You will also be able wirelessly to connect your iPhones in the autumn.
