Yes, you can share battery between iPhones using Battery Share

Battery Share is a feature built into iPhones running iOS 17 or later that lets one iPhone wirelessly charge another iPhone. You place the two phones back-to-back, and the phone with more battery sends power to the other. The phone doing the charging must have at least 20% battery remaining, and both phones need to support the feature — that means iPhone 14 or newer models.

The transfer happens through wireless charging coils already built into recent iPhones. You do not need any cables, apps, or special setup beyond having both phones nearby and the feature turned on. The process is straightforward, though there are a few conditions that affect whether it will work in your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Battery Share requires iOS 17 or later and works only on iPhone 14 models and newer on both devices.
  • The phone providing power must have at least 20% battery, and both phones must be placed back-to-back to start the transfer.
  • The charging phone receives power slowly — expect about 1% per minute under ideal conditions.
  • Metal cases, thick cases, or magnetic attachments can block the wireless connection and prevent Battery Share from working.
  • You can turn Battery Share off in Settings if you want to prevent your phone from sending power to other devices.

Which iPhones support Battery Share

Battery Share works on iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and all iPhone 15 models. If either phone is older than iPhone 14, the feature will not work. You can check your iPhone model by going to Settings, then About, and looking for the model name at the top of the screen.

Both phones must also be running iOS 17 or later. If your iPhone 14 or 15 is still on iOS 16, you will need to update it first. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update to check whether an update is available.

How to share battery step by step

Make sure the phone that will receive power has less than 80% battery. The sending phone must have at least 20% battery remaining. If the receiving phone is already at 80% or higher, Battery Share will not set up — the feature is designed to top up phones that are running low, not to charge a phone that is already mostly full.

Remove any thick cases or metal attachments from both phones. Battery Share uses wireless charging coils, and anything between those coils will block the signal. Even a thin case usually works, but metal phone rings, magnetic car mounts, or thick protective cases often prevent the connection from forming.

Place the two phones back-to-back with their centers aligned. You will see a notification on the sending phone asking whether you want to share battery. Tap "Share" to confirm. The receiving phone will show a charging animation, and you should see the battery percentage start to climb. The transfer typically adds about 1% battery per minute on the receiving phone, though this varies depending on how much power the sending phone is using.

Leave the phones in contact until you reach the battery level you want. You can separate them at any time by moving them apart. The sending phone will stop sharing power automatically once the receiving phone reaches 80% battery.

Why Battery Share might not work

The most common reason Battery Share fails is a case or attachment blocking the wireless coils. Remove the case from both phones and try again. If you have a magnetic car mount, phone ring, or credit card holder attached, take those off as well.

Battery Share also will not set up if the sending phone has less than 20% battery or if the receiving phone is already at 80% or higher. If you see no prompt to share, check both battery levels first. The sending phone may also refuse to share if it is too hot — if your phone feels warm to the touch, let it cool down for a few minutes before trying again.

If both phones meet all the requirements and you still see no prompt, restart both phones. Go to Settings, then General, then Shut Down, hold the power button until the slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo.

How to turn Battery Share on or off

Battery Share is turned on by default on compatible iPhones. If you want to prevent your phone from sending power to other devices, you can disable it. Go to Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health & Management. Look for the option labeled "Share Battery" or "Battery Share" and toggle it off.

You might want to turn this off if you are in a situation where you need to preserve your own battery and do not want to accidentally share power with someone else's phone. Once you toggle it off, your phone will no longer show the sharing prompt when another phone is placed against it.

What to expect during the transfer

Battery Share is intentionally slow to avoid overheating either phone. Expect the receiving phone to gain about 1% battery per minute under ideal conditions. If you are trying to charge a phone from 5% to 50%, plan on roughly 45 minutes of contact time. The actual speed depends on how much processing power the sending phone is using — if you are using the sending phone while sharing, the transfer will be slower.

Both phones may feel slightly warm during the transfer, which is normal. If either phone gets too hot, the transfer will pause automatically until the temperature drops. You will see a notification on the sending phone if this happens. Avoid using either phone while Battery Share is active, as this generates heat and slows down the transfer.

Alternatives if Battery Share does not work for you

If your iPhones are older than iPhone 14, Battery Share is not available. In that case, a portable battery pack or power bank is your best option. These are small external batteries that plug into your phone's charging port and can charge your phone multiple times before needing to be recharged themselves.

You can also use a standard USB-C or Lightning cable with a wall outlet or computer if you have access to power. This is faster than Battery Share and works on any iPhone model. If you are in a situation where you need power when ready and cannot wait 45 minutes for a slow wireless transfer, a wired charger is always the quicker choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Battery Share work with Android phones or other devices?

No, Battery Share only works between iPhones running iOS 17 or later. It does not work with Android phones, iPads, Apple Watches, or any other devices. Both phones must be iPhone 14 or newer.

Will Battery Share damage my phone's battery?

No, Battery Share is designed to be safe for your phone's battery. The transfer is slow and controlled, and both phones have built-in protections to prevent overcharging or overheating. Using Battery Share occasionally will not shorten your battery's lifespan.

Can I use my phone while it is sharing battery?

You can, but it is not recommended. Using the sending phone while sharing will slow down the transfer and generate more heat. If you need to use your phone, it is better to separate the two phones and use a wall charger instead.

What if my phone case has a metal ring or magnetic attachment?

Remove the case or the attachment before trying Battery Share. Metal and magnets block the wireless charging signal. Once you have removed them, the feature should work normally. You can put the case back on after the transfer is complete.

How long does it take to charge a phone from 0% to 100% using Battery Share?

At roughly 1% per minute, it would take about 100 minutes to charge from empty to full. However, Battery Share stops automatically at 80%, so the maximum practical transfer is about 75 minutes. For faster charging, use a wall charger with a USB-C cable instead.