Wireless reverse charging: Is it finally coming to the iPhone?
Unlike many Android devices, iPhones can only supply external hardware with power via cable. According to rumors, wireless will soon be possible.
Reverse charging via USB-C on an iPhone 15, here with a cable from Anker and AirPods.
(Image: Anker)
USB-C has many advantages in the iPhone: Finally using a standard cable, use of numerous accessories and much more. One of the less well-known functions is the option of reverse charging: This allows you to charge external devices such as AirPods with the iPhone. At the moment, this is only possible via the USB-C cable mentioned above, but not wirelessly via MagSafe on the back of the device –, although the underlying inductive Qi charging standard actually supports this in newer versions. This could now change in upcoming iPhones, according to reports from Asia.
Firmware or hardware?
The Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital, whose reliability is unclear, is now claiming this. According to the information, Apple has at least tested the function on the iPhone 17 Pro, which is expected on September 9. It is also conceivable that no additional hardware is required to enable reverse charging via MagSafe, but Apple does not yet have the corresponding firmware on the devices. Therefore, we should not completely give up hope for older devices.
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The basic idea is to place AirPods with wireless charging function, an Apple Watch or even another MagSafe iPhone on the back of the device equipped with reverse charging. It is also interesting that Apple is said to have shifted the Apple logo slightly due to the changes to the camera unit on the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max – it could serve as a charging surface indicator. There had already been Weibo rumors about reverse charging via MagSafe in February. At the time, it was also said that Apple was "testing" the function.
Charging via cable remains faster
Basically, charging via MagSafe is primarily a convenience feature. If you want to charge quickly and save battery power at the same time, it is better to use a cable. Inductive charging also causes the iPhone to heat up, which is not good for batteries in the long term – so even if you are a MagSafe charger, you should switch to a cable in the meantime.
However, this should not be a problem when reverse charging smaller devices. We will find out at the beginning of September whether Apple will actually implement the function. Apple recently tweaked the battery management of iOS – also for the new, thin iPhone 17 Air, which is supposed to have a small battery.
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