Many flagship Android smartphones and even some iPhones come with a hidden feature you might not know about: the ability to charge other devices they’re connected to. This connection is usually made either via a USB-C cable or via the Qi wireless charging protocol. The latter allows smartphones to charge other compatible devices provided they remain back-to-back in physical contact. You can even charge older phones via Qi using this method with a few adjustments. Be aware, however, that wireless charging can generate additional heat, which can impact the health of your device’s battery.
Although phones can usually charge other devices or smaller devices, it is rare that these other devices can charge each other’s phones. For example, you couldn’t charge your smartphone from the charging case of your wireless earbuds. That said, everything from headphones to smartwatches to other phones can be charged from your smartphone using this method. Exactly how it is enabled varies between phone models. So here’s how to enable this variety of charging on a number of popular flagships.
How to enable battery sharing
Battery sharing is a supported feature on the Apple iPhone 15 and later, and is done simply by connecting a compatible device via a USB-C cable. For devices with a USB-C port, simply connect them to your phone with a standard USB-C cable; for those with Apple’s proprietary Lightning port, you’ll need a USB-C to Lightning cable. To transfer power to an Apple Watch, you’ll need to connect your iPhone to an Apple Watch to USB-C magnetic fast charger cable.
On the Android side, Wireless PowerShare is supported on Samsung’s recent flagship Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy S10 and newer models, the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 20, and all Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models. Just find and activate Wireless Power Sharing on your phone’s notification panel to enable it. Place the device you want to charge on the back of your phone, spines together. PowerShare can be used to charge Samsung wearable devices, including the Gear S3/Sport, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active, and Galaxy Buds, as well as a wide range of WPC Qi-enabled devices from Samsung and other brands.
Google’s flagship Pixel phones, starting with the Pixel 5, also support wireless charging of other devices via Qi, although Google calls this technology battery sharing. Just search Battery and then Battery sharing In Settings to activate it. Google also supports the ability to pause charging when your phone’s battery reaches a certain level or if the phone itself exceeds a certain temperature.
