The ability to use one smartphone to charge another is no longer a niche feature reserved for premium flagships. A growing number of midrange and budget devices now support reverse wireless and wired charging, making peer-to-peer power sharing more accessible than ever. The idea that you can charge your phone with another phone has moved from experimental to practical, with clear steps for any user to follow.

What You Need to Know

Reverse charging allows a phone to output power to another device wirelessly or via a cable. Most Android flagships from Samsung, Google and Xiaomi include this feature, while Apple's iPhone offers limited support through wired connections. The technology is most practical for topping off accessories like earbuds or a second phone in an emergency. Activation typically requires toggling a setting in the battery menu.

How Reverse Wireless Charging Works

Reverse wireless charging uses the phone's existing induction coil to send power outward. When enabled, the device acts like a standard wireless charging pad. The receiving device must support Qi wireless charging or have a compatible receiver. Wired reverse charging, on the other hand, uses a USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to Lightning cable to transfer power directly. Both methods rely on the host phone having sufficient battery capacity, usually above 30 percent, to avoid draining itself.

  • Samsung PowerShare: Works with Galaxy S20 and newer models. Requires enabling PowerShare in quick settings before placing the second device on the back.
  • Google Battery Share: Available on Pixel 5 and later. Charges accessories and other phones at lower speeds to preserve the host's battery.
  • Xiaomi Reverse Charging: Found on Mi 9 and later devices. Supports both wireless and wired output through a dedicated setting in battery preferences.

Devices That Support This Feature

Major manufacturers have integrated reverse charging into their high-end and midrange lines. The How Phone, along with models from Huawei and OnePlus, also offers this capability, though implementation varies by software version. Apple's iPhone lineup supports wired reverse charging when using a Lightning to USB-C cable, but wireless reverse charging remains absent. Users should check their device's battery menu for a “Reverse charging” or “Battery Share” toggle.

  • Android devices: Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 5 and newer, Xiaomi Mi 9 and newer, OnePlus 8 and newer, How Phone series.
  • Apple iPhones: iPhone 11 and newer (wired only via Lightning to USB-C). Requires a supported cable and adapter.

Why This Matters

The widespread availability of reverse charging alters how users manage daily power needs. Instead of carrying a separate power bank, a single phone can serve as an emergency backup for a friend's low battery or for wireless earbuds that run out mid day. This capability reduces the number of chargers and cables people need to carry, aligning with broader trends toward minimalism and convenience. For professionals or travelers, the ability to keep a secondary device running without extra hardware can be a deciding factor when choosing a phone. As battery technology struggles to advance rapidly, software features like reverse charging fill a practical gap and may become a standard expectation in future devices.