You can share battery from one iPhone to another using a feature called Wireless Power Share, but only if both phones support it

Wireless Power Share lets you place one iPhone on the back of another to transfer battery. The phone doing the charging acts like a wireless charger pad. This works on iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max — these are the only models that have this feature built in. If you have an older iPhone, you cannot use this method.

The phone receiving the charge must also support wireless charging, which includes most iPhones made since iPhone 8. However, the phone doing the charging must be one of the iPhone 15 models listed above. You will need both phones to have at least 20 percent battery remaining for the transfer to start, and the charging phone's battery will drop to 20 percent once the transfer is complete.

Key Takeaways

  • Only iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max can share their battery wirelessly with another phone.
  • The receiving phone must support wireless charging, which most iPhones from iPhone 8 onward do.
  • Both phones need at least 20 percent battery before you start, and the charging phone will stop at 20 percent.
  • You place the receiving phone flat on the back of the charging phone, centered and without cases or metal objects between them.
  • The transfer takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much battery you are moving.

Step-by-step: How to transfer battery between iPhones

Start by unlocking both iPhones. The phone that will receive the charge should be unlocked and ready. The phone doing the charging also needs to be unlocked — if it is locked, the feature will not work.

Place the receiving phone flat on the back of the charging phone, centered near the Apple logo. The two phones should be aligned so the wireless charging coil on the back of the receiving phone lines up with the charging area on the back of the charging phone. You will see a notification on the charging phone asking you to confirm the transfer. Tap Start or Yes to begin.

Keep the phones in contact and still while the transfer happens. Do not move them around or pick them up. The charging phone's screen will show a battery icon and a percentage as the transfer progresses. The receiving phone will also show charging activity. The transfer typically takes 30 minutes to one hour, depending on how much battery you are moving.

Once the charging phone's battery reaches 20 percent, the transfer will stop automatically. You can then pick up the receiving phone and use it normally. The charging phone will have dropped to 20 percent battery, so you should plug it in to charge soon after.

Remove cases and metal objects before charging

Thick phone cases, metal cases, or metal attachments (like ring stands or metal wallet holders) will block the wireless charging signal. Remove the case from the receiving phone before you place it on the charging phone. You do not need to remove the case from the charging phone, but a very thick case on the charging phone may also reduce the signal strength.

Metal objects between the two phones will prevent the transfer from starting or cause it to stop mid-transfer. Check both the back of the receiving phone and the back of the charging phone for any metal plates, clips, or attachments. Even a small metal piece can interfere with the connection.

What to do if the transfer will not start

If you tap Start and nothing happens, check that both phones are unlocked. The feature requires both screens to be active. If either phone is locked or in sleep mode, the transfer will not begin.

Make sure both phones have at least 20 percent battery. If either phone is below 20 percent, the feature will not work. Plug the lower-battery phone in for a few minutes to reach the threshold, then try again.

Check for cases, metal objects, or thick protective covers on either phone. Remove the case from the receiving phone and try placing it on the charging phone again. If you have a very thick case on the charging phone, try removing that as well.

Restart both phones if the feature still will not start. Hold down the power button and volume button together, slide to power off, wait 10 seconds, then power back on. Try the transfer again once both phones are fully restarted.

Battery transfer speed and what affects it

The transfer speed depends on several factors. A full transfer from one iPhone 15 to another typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. If you are only moving a small amount of battery (for example, from 80 percent to 50 percent), the transfer will be faster.

The charging phone's battery will drop to exactly 20 percent when the transfer stops. This is a safety feature to may support the charging phone keeps enough battery to function. If you want to transfer more battery, you will need to charge the charging phone back up to at least 20 percent and start again.

Environmental temperature can also affect speed. If either phone is very hot or very cold, the transfer may slow down or pause. Let the phones reach room temperature before trying again.

Alternatives if you do not have an iPhone 15

If you have an older iPhone model, you cannot use Wireless Power Share. Your options are to use a portable battery pack (also called a power bank) that supports wireless charging, or to plug the phone into a wall outlet or computer using a USB-C or Lightning cable.

A wireless charging power bank works similarly to Wireless Power Share — you place your phone on top of it to charge. These are available from many manufacturers and range in price and capacity. A wired connection using a cable is faster than wireless charging and works with any iPhone model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Wireless Power Share with non-Apple phones?

Yes, if the other phone supports wireless charging. You can place an Android phone on the back of an iPhone 15 to charge it, as long as that Android phone has a wireless charging coil. The process is the same — place it centered on the back and confirm the transfer on the iPhone 15.

Will Wireless Power Share damage my battery?

No. Wireless Power Share uses the same wireless charging technology as a standard charging pad. It will not damage either phone's battery. Both phones will get slightly warm during the transfer, which is normal.

Can I use my iPhone 15 to charge while it is plugged into a wall outlet?

No. The iPhone 15 will not share battery while it is connected to a charger. You must unplug it from the wall outlet first, then use it to charge another phone.

What happens if I pick up the phones while they are transferring?

The transfer will pause or stop if you separate the phones. You will need to place them back together and confirm the transfer again. It is best to leave them undisturbed until the transfer finishes.

Can I transfer battery to an iPhone that is in a case?

You should remove the case from the receiving phone for the best connection. Thin cases may work, but thick cases, leather cases, or cases with metal components will block the signal. Remove the case, do the transfer, and put the case back on afterward.