In emergency situations, running out of battery on your iPhone can be a major problem, especially if you don't have a charger handy. While it's not possible to transfer battery power directly between devices, Apple offers clever solutions that can help you easily transfer battery power from one iPhone to another, even when the battery starts to run low.
In this article, we’ll explore how you can “pass battery” from one iPhone to another in practical and creative ways. We’ll also go over some useful tools and accessories that will allow you to share power between Apple devices and keep your iPhones running.
Is it possible to transfer a battery from one iPhone to another?
Before going into details, it is important to clarify a common concept: currently, There is no official feature that allows you to transfer battery from one iPhone to another directly. and although some devices, such as Samsung's, have reverse wireless charging technology, Apple has not yet implemented this functionality on the iPhone. And we could leave the article here, since we are really at a "dead end", but it is true that there are practical ways to "share battery" by using accessories such as Portable batteries, wireless chargers and the Apple ecosystem, which we will show you a little later.
Why doesn't Apple investigate a way to transfer batteries from one iPhone to another?
While it is true that reverse wireless charging is inherently less efficient than wired charging and that in a reverse charging scenario an iPhone would have to transfer power from its own battery, which could negatively impact its autonomy and lifespan, it really is I don't see a clear reason why Apple hasn't put it there., at least on the technical side.
In the end, honestly, if I have to take a position, we have to talk about profitability and above all, about money.
Apple prefers to design solutions that encourage the use of its ecosystem, solutions that cost money and make money for the company. For example, it promotes the use of MagSafe, which allows you to charge iPhones and other compatible devices wirelessly with dedicated accessories. (which are profit either from the license to third parties, or from the accessory itself)
And that is why, dear readers, we believe that there is not so much emphasis on working on reverse charging or similar.
Solutions for sharing charge between different iPhones
One of the most effective ways to share power between devices is using an external battery (or power bank), which are usually small, portable and allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time.
In the end, using it is the simplest thing in the world, just like using a wall charger:
- Connect the power bank to one of the iPhones using a Lightning or USB C cable.
- If your power bank is wireless, simply place your compatible iPhone (iPhone 8 or later) on the charging surface.
- Once the first iPhone has enough battery, repeat the process with the second device.
This method has the main advantage that depending on the number of ports, You will be able to charge multiple devices at once, and even today, some power banks have a capacity of up to 20,000 mAh, enough to fully charge two iPhones several times.
Charge with the Apple MagSafe Adapter
Magsafe is the standard that benefits from the implementation of 15W charging on iPhone
Apple introduced its MagSafe Battery Packs, a solution designed specifically for MagSafe compatible iPhones (iPhone 12 and later), which is an accessory that Not only does it charge your iPhone, it can also share power with other Apple devices.
Theorizing: Use a bi-directional charging cable
Some modern charging cables are bi-directional, meaning that They can transfer energy from one device to another And although there is nothing on the market yet, it is true that something could come out on the market in this regard.
Nothing new here, as this method is more common in the world of Android devices, but you could also use it between iPhones if you have the right accessory.
And although this method would not be officially supported on all iPhone models, it could work at least once. have dedicated chips that “simulate” being a charger, but they would be more expensive than a standard cable. And although it sounds like a crazy idea (and it is in part), it is not that crazy, since charging systems like the TR100 of motorcycles It is similar to what we are describing and works correctly.
Share Power via a MacBook
If you have a MacBook, you can use it as an intermediary to charge both iPhones.
Yes, it's not like charging a phone with another phone, we know, but it works and is an especially useful method if you're working on your laptop and need to keep your devices charged. In the end, the MacBook will distribute the available power to both devices, allowing them to continue functioning.
Tips to maximize battery and share efficiency
Now that we have already vetoed the idea of charging one iPhone with another, and if you don't have powerbanks or similar, here are some Tricks to extend your iPhone's battery life and help others do the same:
Activate Low Power Mode
El Low Power Mode reduces the power consumption of the iPhone by disabling features such as background refreshes and reducing the screen brightness, something we highly recommend.
Share a strategic burden
If you only have one charger available, prioritize charging the iPhone with the lowest battery up to 20-30%. Then, swap devices to make sure they both have enough power.
In the end, this way you “distribute” the load to leave both operational and with the highest possible performance.
Disable non-essential functions
If you are low on charge, there are certain functions you can temporarily disable them as they are “energy guzzlers”, as they could be:
- Bluetooth.
- WiFi (if not necessary).
- Background localization (or even the entire GPS)
- High screen brightness
This will help the battery last longer while you find a solution and avoid overconsumption so you can spend as little as possible.
With these tools and tips, we believe you'll have a harder time worrying about running out of battery at the most inconvenient time. Take advantage of these solutions and keep your devices always active!