Running out of battery with no charger or powerbank nearby?:You can charge your smartphone using another phone – here’s how

Imagine your phone is at 5% battery and you are nowhere near a charger. Your friend’s phone is sitting right next to you with plenty of battery. In such a situation, you may not need a power bank at all. Some smartphones can transfer their stored battery power to another device. This feature is usually called reverse charging, reverse wireless charging or battery sharing, depending on the brand. The feature is available on several Android phones. Apple also supports wired charging of small accessories and compatible devices through the USB-C port on iPhone 15 and newer models. However, the exact method depends on your phone model. Method 1: You can charge another phone using a USB-C cable The easiest way to share battery between two compatible phones is through a cable. Many Android phones can provide power through their USB-C port, although this feature is not available on every model. How to do it If nothing happens, your phone may not support wired reverse charging, even if it has a USB-C port. What about iPhones?
The iPhone 15 and newer models can use their USB-C port to provide power to certain smaller devices, including AirPods and Apple Watch models that support the required connection. Apple says compatible devices can receive power from an iPhone at up to 4.5W. For another USB-C device, you can connect it using a USB-C cable. For compatible Lightning devices, you may need a USB-C-to-Lightning cable. Method 2: you can charge another phone wirelessly Some Android phones can turn their backs into wireless charging pads. This is useful when you don’t have a cable with you. Samsung calls its feature Wireless PowerShare, while Google uses the name Battery Share on supported Pixel phones. How to use Samsung Wireless PowerShare If your Samsung Galaxy phone supports the feature: Charging should begin automatically if the receiving device supports wireless charging. How to use Google Pixel Battery Share On a supported Pixel phone: Pixel phones can also let users set a minimum battery level. Once the donor phone reaches that level, Battery Share can automatically turn itself off. You can charge more than just another phone Reverse wireless charging isn’t only useful for smartphones. If your phone supports wireless battery sharing, you may also be able to charge compatible wireless earbuds, smartwatches and other Qi-enabled accessories. This can be particularly useful when your smartwatch or earbuds are about to run out of battery and you don’t have their charging case or cable nearby. What if wireless charging isn’t working? There is one big catch Reverse charging sounds convenient, but it isn’t a replacement for a proper charger or power bank. The phone providing power is using its own battery to charge the other device. This means its battery will drain faster. Wireless charging can also produce heat, and the process is generally less efficient than using a dedicated charger. As a result, reverse charging is best treated as an emergency power boost rather than something you use regularly. Which method should you use? If you have a cable, wired reverse charging is generally the more practical option because it does not require precise positioning. If you don’t have a cable, wireless battery sharing can be a useful backup, provided both devices support compatible wireless charging. Either way, the goal is not to fully recharge a dead phone. Instead, reverse charging can give you enough extra battery to make a call, send a message, use maps or stay connected until you find a proper charger.