Can the iPhone 16 Charge Other Phones in Turn? How to Charge? Guide!

by Sophie Green Updated on 2024-09-03 / Update for iPhone 16

With the growing versatility of smartphones, many users are asking, "Can iPhone 16 charge other phones?" This feature, known as reverse charging, allows one device to share its battery power with another.

In this complete guide, we'll explore whether the iPhone 16 has this capability, how it works, and what you need to know to use it effectively. Whether you're looking to charge a friend’s phone or power up your wireless earbuds on the go.

Part 1: Can the iPhone 16 Wireless Charge Other Phones?
Part 2: Can iPhone 16 Charge Other Devices With USB?
Part 3: Which Devices Can iPhone 16 Charge?
Part 4: How to Charge Other Devices With iPhone 16
Bonus Tip: iPhone Stopped Charging, How to Fix?

Part 1: Can the iPhone 16 Wireless Charge Other Phones?

The iPhone 16 does not support wireless charging for other devices, despite some rumors and expectations.

While the concept of "iPhone 16 wireless powershare" is intriguing, Apple has not included this feature in the iPhone 16. As a result, you cannot use your iPhone 16 to wirelessly charge other phones, earbuds, or any other devices.

But — that does not mean your iPhone 16 can’t charge other phones at all. In fact, there’s a way to do it (use iPhone 16 to charge other devices with a cable). Check out the following section to learn about it.

Part 2: Can iPhone 16 Charge Other Devices With USB?

Yes, you can charge other devices with your iPhone 16 using a USB cable. And this feature has only been available starting with the iPhone 15 series in 2023.

If you’re wondering, "can you charge other phones with iPhone 16", the answer is yes, as long as you have a compatible USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to Lightning cable. This allows you to share your iPhone 16’s battery power with another phone or device, providing a convenient way to keep multiple devices powered up on the go.

This is very convenient when you need to juice up some other devices on the go, like your AirPods or some other phone.

Part 3: Which Devices Can iPhone 16 Charge?

Now that you know iPhone 16 charge other phones, you must be wondering if you can charge other devices too.

In addition to phones, the iPhone 16 can also charge smaller accessories like wireless earbuds, including AirPods, and even smartwatches like the Apple Watch. This feature is particularly useful when you’re traveling or away from a power outlet, as it allows you to use your iPhone 16 as a power source for other essential devices.

Whether you need to top up a friend’s phone, power up your wireless earbuds, or give your Apple Watch a quick boost, the iPhone 16's ability to charge other devices adds an extra layer of convenience to your tech setup. Just ensure you have the necessary cables or adapters to make the connection, and you'll be ready to share power whenever needed.

Part 4: How to Charge Other Devices With iPhone 16

Charging other devices with your iPhone 16 is straightforward, and this feature can be a lifesaver when you need to share power on the go. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to charge other phones with iPhone 16:

Note:

This only works if your iPhone 16’s battery level is higher than the other phone. For example, if you connect the iPhone 16 with 90% charge to an iPhone 15 with 10% charge, the iPhone 16 will charge the iPhone 15. But if the iPhone 15 has 90% charge and the iPhone 16 has 10% charge, the 15 will charge the 16.

Ensure you have the right cable: To charge another phone or device, you'll need a USB-C to USB-C cable or a USB-C to Lightning cable, depending on the device you want to charge.
Connect the devices: Plug one end of the cable into your iPhone 16's USB-C port and the other end into the device you want to charge.
Start charging: Once connected, your iPhone 16 will automatically start transferring power to the other device. You should see the charging indicator appear on the device receiving the charge.
Monitor battery levels: Keep an eye on your iPhone 16’s battery to ensure you have enough power remaining. It’s also a good idea to disconnect once the other device has enough charge to avoid draining your iPhone 16 completely.

Bonus Tip: iPhone Stopped Charging, How to Fix?

Has your iPhone stopped charging completely? Requests for help with "iPhone charging not working" are often seen on the Apple Community forums. There are a few important fixes to try first:

Make sure your adapter and cable are working fine. Try a different charger to diagnose this.
Ensure the USB port of your iPhone 16 is not overly dirty. A clogged port will not let your iPhone charge.
Try a different power outlet.

Once you’ve tried those but it didn’t work, then there might be a software issue causing the problem. In this case, you can repair your iOS system using Tenorshare ReiBoot to fix the iPhone stopped charging issue. ReiBoot completely repairs more than 150 iOS system issues, and it comes with the “Standard Repair” option which doesn’t even erase your data when repairing. And ReiBoot is compatible with the latest iPhone 16 and iOS 18.

Download and install ReiBoot on your PC or Mac. Open ReiBoot. Connect your iPhone 16 to the PC or Mac using a USB cable. Click the “Repair” button.
Then choose “Standard Repair”. (Using the standard repair mode will not erase any data on your device.)
Select “Download” to download the iOS system firmware. Once the firmware has finished downloading, click "Start Standard Repair."
Wait for a few minutes. After it’s done, your iPhone 16 should now charge just fine, thanks to the repaired iOS installation!

The Bottom Line

Power share iPhone 16 is indeed a reality, although it’s not possible wirelessly. The only way to charge other devices using your iPhone 16 is through wired connection.

Plus, you have to make sure your iPhone 16 has more charge left compared to the device you’re going to charge, otherwise it won’t work.