You can share battery from one iPhone to another, but only in one direction and only on newer models

If you have an iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, or 15 Pro Max, you can send battery power to another iPhone wirelessly using a feature called Battery Sharing. The phone receiving the charge must also be an iPhone 15 or later. You place the two phones back-to-back, and the sending phone transfers power to the receiving phone without needing a cable or external charger.

Older iPhones—iPhone 14 and earlier—cannot use Battery Sharing at all, either as the sender or receiver. If you have an older model, you will need to use a traditional charger or a portable battery pack instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Battery Sharing works only between iPhone 15 models and later; neither phone can be an iPhone 14 or older.
  • You set up Battery Sharing by placing two compatible iPhones back-to-back and confirming the transfer on the sending phone.
  • The sending phone must have at least 10 percent battery remaining and cannot be in Low Power Mode.
  • Battery Sharing drains the sending phone's battery faster than normal use, so use it only when you have enough charge to spare.

How to set up Battery Sharing between two iPhones

First, make sure both phones are iPhone 15 or later and that the phone sending the charge has at least 10 percent battery. The sending phone also cannot be in Low Power Mode—you will need to turn that off in Settings if it is on.

Hold the two phones back-to-back, close together and aligned. The sending phone will detect the other device and show a prompt asking whether you want to share your battery. Tap Share Battery on the sending phone. The receiving phone will show a charging screen, and power will begin to transfer wirelessly.

The transfer continues as long as the phones remain in contact. You can move them apart to stop the transfer at any time. The sending phone will show a battery percentage for the receiving phone so you can see how much charge it is getting.

Why Battery Sharing drains your phone faster than a charger would

When you use Battery Sharing, the sending phone is both powering itself and sending power to another device at the same time. This uses more battery than normal operation. The sending phone also generates heat during the transfer, which can slow down the charging speed of the receiving phone as a safety measure.

For this reason, Battery Sharing is most useful as a temporary solution when you are away from a charger and another person's phone is running low. It is not a substitute for plugging into a wall outlet or using a portable battery pack, because you will lose charge on both phones faster than you would by charging one at a time.

Conditions that prevent Battery Sharing from working

Battery Sharing will not start if the sending phone has less than 10 percent battery remaining. The feature is designed to protect your own phone's charge, so you cannot drain it completely to help someone else.

If the sending phone is in Low Power Mode, Battery Sharing is disabled. You must turn off Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery before you can share. The receiving phone does not need to be in any particular state, but if it is powered off, it will not charge.

If either phone is too hot or too cold, the transfer may pause or stop. This is a safety feature to prevent damage to the battery. Wait for the phones to return to normal temperature before trying again.

What happens if you move the phones apart during a transfer

If the two phones lose contact while Battery Sharing is active, the transfer stops when ready. You do not need to do anything—just move them back together if you want to resume. The phones will not be damaged by the interruption.

The receiving phone will keep whatever charge it received before the phones separated. There is no risk of losing that power or corrupting either phone's battery.

Using a portable battery pack as an alternative

If you do not have an iPhone 15 or later, or if you need to charge multiple devices, a portable battery pack (also called a power bank) is a more practical option. These devices store charge and can power any phone with the right cable, regardless of the iPhone model.

Portable battery packs come in different sizes and capacities. A small one might add one full charge to your phone, while a larger one can charge multiple devices several times. They are inexpensive and do not drain your own phone's battery the way Battery Sharing does.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share battery from an iPhone 15 to an iPhone 14?

No. The receiving phone must also be an iPhone 15 or later. If you have an older iPhone, you will need to use a traditional charger or a portable battery pack instead.

Does Battery Sharing work through a phone case?

Thick cases or cases with metal components may interfere with the wireless transfer. If Battery Sharing is not working, try removing the case from one or both phones and try again.

Can I use Battery Sharing while I am on a phone call?

Yes, Battery Sharing works while you are using your phone normally. You can talk, text, or use apps while the transfer is happening in the background.

Will Battery Sharing damage my phone's battery?

No. The feature is designed with safety limits to protect both phones. The transfer will pause if either phone gets too hot, and the sending phone will not drain below 10 percent.

How long does it take to charge another iPhone using Battery Sharing?

Battery Sharing is slower than plugging into a wall charger. The exact time depends on how much charge you are sending and the size of the receiving phone's battery, but expect it to take longer than a traditional charger would.