In this guide, we will be exploring whether the iPhone XR offers reverse charging. If you were wondering whether the iPhone XR offers that feature, keep on reading.
First, however, let’s quickly review the definition of reverse charging. Reverse charging, sometimes called wireless power-sharing (Samsung calls it Wireless PowerShare), allows you to use your phone to charge other devices wirelessly.
Most often, it will be used for smaller devices, such as a smartwatch or earbuds. Phones that support this feature allow you to charge those devices using just your phone!
Reverse Charging in Smartphones: A Trend Analysis
Quite a few manufacturers now offer reverse charging in smartphones. For example, Samsung offers many devices with reverse wireless charging. In fact, Samsung has been offering wireless charging technology in all flagship Galaxy phones since 2019.
Many Huawei devices, such as the Huawei P50 Pro, offer reverse charging as well. Google Pixel has jumped on the trend as well in 2020, as has Xiaomi.
More and more major phone manufacturers have decided to offer reverse charging as an added perk to entice more customers to buy their devices.
But what about Apple?
Does the iPhone XR Have Reverse Charging?
Unfortunately, there is iPhone XR reverse charging feature. Wireless reverse charging capabilities are not something that Apple generally offers, with some exceptions. Read on to learn more.
Phone XR’s Wireless Charging Features
What about wireless charging on the iPhone XR in general?
Yes, the iPhone XR has Qi wireless charging. One of the iPhone XR’s battery’s features is that you can charge it wirelessly using the Qi wireless charging standard. If you have a wireless charger, you can charge your iPhone XR with it wirelessly.
However, while the XR offers wireless charging – meaning that you can charge your iPhone XR wirelessly – you cannot use it to charge other devices wirelessly. In other words, it does not offer reverse wireless charging.
Which iPhones Support Reverse Charging?
Are there any iPhones with reverse charging?
The iPhone 12 and later support reverse wireless charging for the MagSafe Battery Pack only. MagSafe battery sharing allows you to use your iPhone to charge your MagSafe Battery Pack, if your iPhone is also charging. You can plug your iPhone into your car, for example, and then attach the MagSafe Pack onto the back of it to charge both of them at the same time while also benefiting from wired CarPlay.
Or, you can plug your iPhone into your computer to transfer files. Your iPhone will charge from your computer, and if you attach the MagSafe Battery Pack to the back of it, it will charge as well.
However, reverse charging Apple devices other than the MagSafe Battery Pack is not possible. Similarly, reverse charging any other device, such as third-party earbuds, is not possible. The MagSafe Battery Pack is the only device you can charge wirelessly with reverse charging. In addition, your iPhone may need to charge to 80% before the MagSafe Battery Pack can start charging.
The iPhone 15 does support reverse charging – but only wired reverse charging. You can use a USB-C cable to charge AirPods, for example. However, wireless charging is not supported like it is on Samsung and other brand phones.
Comparing Reverse Charging Across Devices
When doing a reverse charging comparison of Samsung’s vs. iPhones’ reverse charging features, you’ll see that there’s no competition at all.
Samsung offers full reverse wireless charging features. As long as your phone has at least 30% battery power, you can charge anything that can charge wirelessly via the Qi standard. That includes earbuds, smartwatches, and even other phones.
Google Pixel also offers reverse wireless charging on all recent flagship phones. Similarly, many Huawei phones offer reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge earphones, smartwatches, and other phones.
Meanwhile, iPhones only support reverse wireless charging for the MagSafe Battery Pack when your iPhone is plugged in and charging. It’s not really a wireless reverse charging feature in your iPhone, if we are being honest, but rather a feature in the MagSafe Battery Pack itself.
In addition, even though reverse charging is now possible in the iPhone 15, it only includes wired reverse charging, which isn’t as useful and pales in comparison to the wireless charging capabilities that other devices offer.
The Future of Reverse Charging in iPhones
Will there be reverse charging in future iPhones? What are Apple’s reverse wireless charging plans?
Unfortunately, we have no reason to suspect that Apple will be offering this next-gen iPhone charging feature anytime soon. Even the newest iPhone 16, released in 2024, only offers wired reverse charging with 4.5 watts of power, similar to the iPhone 15, but not wireless charging.
Bear in mind that Samsung has been offering wireless reverse charging since 2019. Google’s Pixel 5, the first Pixel to support wireless reverse charging, came out in 2020.
So, Apple had plenty of time to catch up if it wanted to. There may come a time when almost all Androids support wireless reverse charging, and if that happens, I bet Apple will jump on the bandwagon as well. As of now, though, any news that Apple has plans to introduce wireless reverse charging are simply rumors.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, while the iPhone XR’s charging capabilities include wireless charging, the iPhone XR’s features do not include reverse wireless charging. Reverse charging in Apple devices is limited to wireless charging for the MagSafe Battery Pack only when your iPhone is plugged in (from the iPhone 12 onwards). Wired reverse charging for other devices, such as your AirPods, is available on the iPhone 15 and onward.
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