Highlights
- Apple is reportedly testing reverse wireless charging for the iPhone 17 Pro, allowing users to wirelessly charge accessories like AirPods and Apple Watch.
- Compatibility with Qi2/MagSafe may be a hurdle as magnetic alignment used in Apple’s charging tech could limit reverse charging.
- If implemented, it would mark Apple’s first true wireless power-sharing feature.
With Apple’s iPhone 17 launch just around the corner, leaks and reports continue to surface about the upcoming flagship devices. One of the most talked-about features is reverse wireless charging. It would allow an iPhone to wirelessly charge other Apple accessories like AirPods and Apple Watch.
Although reports have been contradictory, fresh leaks suggest that the feature may make its way to the iPhone 17 Pro after all. A well-known Weibo tipster named Fixed Focus Digital has now revealed that Apple has been testing reverse wireless charging for the iPhone 17 Pro models.
Earlier this year, another leaker also claimed that Apple was experimenting with 7.5W reverse charging for the Pro variants. If successful, this would have been the first time iPhones offered the ability to wirelessly charge accessories on the go.
Still, despite reports that testing is complete, it remains unclear if Apple will actually enable the feature when the iPhone 17 lineup is unveiled next month. Before we look at previous reports, let’s understand reverse wireless charging a bit more.
What is Reverse Wireless Charging?
In simple terms, reverse wireless charging lets users power up smaller devices by placing them on the back of a smartphone. For accessories like AirPods or an Apple Watch, it works just like a wireless charging pad, but instead of drawing power from a charger, it uses the iPhone’s battery.
Samsung has offered this feature for years under its Wireless PowerShare branding, while Google followed suit with Battery Share on its Pixel phones.
Why Reverse Charging Is An Important Feature?
Here are some of the main reasons why iPhone users have been eager to see this feature
- Emergency top-ups – Charge AirPods or Apple Watch on the go without cables or adapters.
- Travel convenience – Carry just one iPhone charger and use the phone to power up accessories.
- Multi-device charging – On a plane or train, simply plug in the iPhone and stack other devices on top to charge simultaneously.
What Stops Apple From Adding The Feature?
Reports suggest the problem lies with Qi2 wireless charging, the new standard that builds on Qi1 with a magnetic connection, essentially MagSafe.
Google recently dropped reverse wireless charging from the Pixel 10, stating it was not compatible with Qi2 technology. Since MagSafe is Apple’s own version of Qi2, the same limitation could be preventing reverse charging from working on iPhones. As Portuguese site DroidReader noted, “A Pixel 10 series features Qi2 magnetic wireless charging to provide more efficient and reliable wireless charging (…) The set of magnets creates a strong connection with the charger but has a physical limitation for wireless reverse charging.”
Back in 2021, Apple introduced the MagSafe Battery Pack, which allowed power pass-through when connected via Lightning. That was the company’s first step into reverse charging, but it discontinued the accessory in 2023 with the iPhone 15 series launch, which introduced USB-C. Currently, iPhones with USB-C can reverse charge other devices via cable at up to 4.5W.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 lineup at its September event, likely on September 9.
If the iPhone 17 Pro does end up supporting reverse wireless charging, it would put Apple in direct competition with rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and Google’s Pixel 10 lineup. If not, iPhone users may have to wait longer for this much-requested feature.
FAQs
Q1. What is reverse wireless charging on smartphones?
Answer. Reverse wireless charging allows a phone to wirelessly power accessories like AirPods or an Apple Watch by placing them on its back. It turns the phone into a charging pad using its own battery.
Q2. Is Apple adding reverse wireless charging to the iPhone 17 Pro?
Answer. Apple is reportedly testing reverse wireless charging for the iPhone 17 Pro, according to tipster Fixed Focus Digital. However, it’s unclear if the feature will be enabled at launch.
Q3. Why hasn’t Apple introduced reverse wireless charging yet?
Answer. The Qi2 wireless charging standard, which uses magnetic alignment like MagSafe, may limit reverse charging compatibility. This issue also led Google to drop the feature from its Pixel 10 series.
Q4. Which Apple accessories could benefit from reverse wireless charging?
Answer. If enabled, reverse wireless charging on iPhone 17 Pro could power AirPods, Apple Watch, and other small accessories wirelessly. This would allow convenient top-ups without cables while travelling.
Q5. Has Apple ever offered reverse charging before?
Answer. Apple introduced limited reverse charging via the MagSafe Battery Pack in 2021, allowing power pass-through via Lightning. However, it was discontinued in 2023 with the shift to USB-C, which now supports 4.5W reverse charging via cable.
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