Your iPhone 15+ can double as a mini power bank for AirPods, Apple Watch, other iPhones, and more, just by carrying the right cable. Read on to find out more...
In iOS 26+, any iPhone 15 or later with a USB‑C port can double as a charger for your AirPods. On the rare occasion your AirPods case (either Lightning or USB‑C) runs flat and you're out of a wall socket, just plug in the correct cable, from iPhone to AirPods, to top them up. Use a USB‑C to USB‑C cable for the newer case, or a USB‑C to Lightning cable for older ones.
That cable’s your lifeline, no MagSafe charging on the back of the iPhone (at least not yet), but wired charging works every time.
Can I charge one iPhone from another?
Yes! If you’ve got two iPhone 15 or later models, you can connect them with a USB‑C cable. The two devices will automatically figure out which one has more battery and send power to the one that needs it.
If you connect a Lightning‑port iPhone (older model) to an iPhone 15 with a USB‑C to Lightning cable, the newer iPhone will act as the charger, even if its battery is lower.
However, charging another iPhone this way is slow – limited to about 4.5 W. It can give you a lifeline boost, but don’t expect a full overnight charge.
Can I charge other devices from my iPhone?
Definitely. Your USB‑C iPhone can also charge:
- AirPods (Lightning or USB‑C case)
- Apple Watch (using a USB‑C charging puck or USB‑C to USB‑A adapter)
- Any USB‑C accessory that supports USB Power Delivery, such as third‑party earbuds or even an Android phone
Android phone? If it supports USB‑C PD, you can charge it from your iPhone or vice versa. However, results vary if it doesn't support USB PD as there’s no way to know which phone will be the charger and which one will get the charge.
Again, charging is capped at ~4.5 W which is adequate for small devices but less ideal for phones.
Why it matters
Travellers or commuters who rely on public charging points often find sockets hard to come by. Having a backup means you can share power with a friend or keep your AirPods and Watch going during long Tube waits or railway delays. No need to carry multiple bulky battery packs – your iPhone does the job.
In summary
Yes, your iPhone 15+ can charge AirPods, Apple Watch, other iPhones, and many USB‑C devices. Just keep the right cables handy and expect charging to be slow, not fast. Wired charging remains the most practical current option, as wireless iPhone‑to‑iPhone charging isn’t a thing yet.