How to Charge iPhone with Another iPhone

Charge iPhone with Another iPhone is no longer a what‑if. With iPhone 15 and later, you can pass battery power to another iPhone using a cable. It is fast to set up, handy in a pinch, and safer than borrowing a sketchy public charger.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps, the cables you need, what actually happens behind the scenes, and the limits Apple built into the feature. I will also clear up the biggest myth around iPhone-to-iPhone charging.

First, the short answer

You can charge an iPhone with another iPhone if the source phone is iPhone 15 or later. These models have USB‑C and can output up to 4.5 watts to other devices. That includes another iPhone, AirPods, or Apple Watch.
iPhones do not charge each other wirelessly. Place‑on‑the‑back power sharing is not supported. You need a cable.

Table of Contents

What You Need

Source iPhone: iPhone 15 or newer. These are the only iPhones that can send power out via USB‑C.

Cable:

Charging iPhone 15 or newer → USB‑C to USB‑C cable.
Charging iPhone 14 or older (Lightning port) → USB‑C to Lightning cable.

Why only iPhone 15 and later? Apple switched to USB‑C starting with iPhone 15. USB‑C on iPhone supports power delivery in both directions, which is what enables device‑to‑device charging.

Step‑By‑Step: Charge an iPhone with Another iPhone

Identify the source and the receiver: Use the iPhone 15 or newer as the power source. The other iPhone will be the one you charge.
Pick the right cable: iPhone 15 to iPhone 15: USB‑C to USB‑C. iPhone 15 to iPhone 14 or older: USB‑C to Lightning
Connect the phones: Plug one end into the source iPhone’s USB‑C port. Plug the other end into the receiver iPhone. Power direction decides itself. If both are iPhone 15 models, iOS negotiates which phone needs power more and routes current accordingly.
Watch for the charge indicator: The receiving iPhone shows the normal charging icon. No extra toggles or settings. It just starts.
Unplug when you are done: Disconnect the cable. The source iPhone stops outputting power immediately.

How Fast Is It?

Manage expectations. iPhone to iPhone charging is slow, capped at about 4.5 W. That is fine for a lifeline boost or topping up AirPods, but nowhere near a wall charger’s speed.

Pro tip: If you only need a quick lift to make a call or grab a ride, five to ten minutes of tethering usually does the job without draining your friend’s phone too much. The goal is “enough,” not full.

Real‑World Use Cases I Keep Running Into

Emergency lifeline at a match or concert when a friend’s phone dies. Plug in for ten minutes to get maps or messages back.
Accessory top‑ups for AirPods or Apple Watch when you forgot the brick. The iPhone 15 line can output 4.5 W to small devices, which is ideal for these.
Travel minimalism. One cable does it all. You can even charge older Lightning iPhones from your iPhone 15 with Apple’s USB‑C to Lightning cable.

The Biggest Myth, Crushed

You have seen videos of phones charging each other wirelessly. Some Android phones can do that. iPhones cannot. There is no setting anywhere in iOS to enable reverse wireless charging to another iPhone. If someone tells you to place iPhones back‑to‑back to share battery, that is wrong. Use a cable.

Model Matrix: What Works with What

iPhone 15 or newer → iPhone 15 or newer: Use USB‑C to USB‑C. The phones auto‑decide which one sends power based on battery status.
iPhone 15 or newer → iPhone 14 or older: Use USB‑C to Lightning. The iPhone 15 family acts as the power bank.
Older iPhone as source: Not supported. Lightning iPhones cannot output power to other phones.

Safety, Battery Health, and Etiquette

I treat iPhone to iPhone charging as an emergency tool, not daily routine. Here is why:

Thermals. Any form of charging generates heat. Keep the phones out of pockets while tethered and avoid direct sunlight. Slow power helps, but heat is still real.
Battery cycles. You are trading your cycles to help someone else. Keep sessions short and purposeful.
Cable quality. Cheap, out‑of‑spec cables cause flaky connections. Stick to Apple or MFi‑certified cables for Lightning and reputable USB‑C cables for best results.

Troubleshooting: When It Does Not Start Charging

Wrong cable. Confirm you are using USB‑C to USB‑C for modern iPhones or USB‑C to Lightning for older ones.
Dirty ports. Lint in either port interrupts power. A quick visual check and a gentle clean can fix it.
Battery levels confuse direction. If two iPhone 15 models connect and nothing seems to happen, wait a few seconds. They negotiate direction based on which has the lower battery, then begin.
Still no luck. Swap ends of the cable or try another cable. Some third‑party cables block power direction or fall out of spec over time.

How This Feature Fits into Your Everyday Kit

As a creator on the go, I love that my phone can rescue a second device in a pinch. My packing list is simpler now.

One USB‑C to USB‑C cable for my iPhone 15 and newer gear.
One USB‑C to Lightning cable in case a friend needs a jump or I need to top up older accessories.

Pair this with a compact 20 W or higher USB‑C charger for hotel or café stops, and you are covered for both fast charging and emergency sharing.

Final Take

iPhone to iPhone charging is a thoughtful failsafe Apple quietly unlocked with the switch to USB‑C. It is not a replacement for a proper charger. It is the friend‑to‑friend lifesaver that gets you a ride, a map, or a text when you are on 1 percent. Pack the right cable, use it sparingly, and you will wonder how you ever traveled without it.

FAQs

Can any iPhone charge another iPhone?

No. Only iPhone 15 or newer can act as the power source. Older Lightning iPhones cannot share power.

Can iPhone to iPhone charging work wirelessly?

No. iPhones do not support reverse wireless charging to other phones. You must use a cable.

How much power can my iPhone output to another device?

Up to 4.5 W to connected accessories and devices, which means slow but steady top‑ups.

Which cable should I carry?

USB‑C to USB‑C for modern iPhones
USB‑C to Lightning for older iPhones and accessories

Will the source iPhone always charge the other one?

When two iPhone 15 models connect, they negotiate and the one with more charge powers the other. With a Lightning iPhone on one end, the iPhone 15 will provide power.