iPhone 15's USB-C Port Can Charge Your Apple Watch and AirPods

[MacRumors]

Now that the iPhone 15 models have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, it is possible to use an iPhone 15 to charge the AirPods or Apple Watch directly.

You'll need an appropriate cable to charge with an iPhone, such as a USB-C to USB-C cable for the new AirPods Pro 2 USB-C Charging Case, or a USB-C Apple Watch charging puck, but it's a useful function that wasn't available with Lightning.

Apple highlighted the new functionality in its iPhone 15 Pro announcement and it makes sense because USB-C Macs can be used for charging the AirPods and Apple Watch, but it is novel because we aren't accustomed to charging accessories with an iPhone.

If your AirPods or Apple Watch run out of battery while you don't have access to a charger, it is convenient to be able to use the iPhone's battery for a little extra juice rather than carrying around a battery pack.

USB-C brings other conveniences, such as the ability to use the same charging cable for Macs, iPads, iPhones, and other USB-C accessories. On the iPhone 15 Pro models, it also brings faster USB 3 transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s, provided you're using the right cable. iPhone 15 models are limited to USB 2 charging speeds, the same as the Lighting port.

Article Link: iPhone 15's USB-C Port Can Charge Your Apple Watch and AirPods

 

[RDowson]

What about older AirPods with the Lightning connector on the case? Can they charge from the phone with a USB-C to Lightning cable?

 

[Black.Infinity]

Not as convenient as putting your AirPods on the back of your phone to charge. But it’s great for emergency situations. 😃

 

[beach bum]

This is a nice perk. I wonder if you'll be able to charge the AW/AirPods Pro 2 while the phone is charging with the MagSafe Battery pack at the same time.

 

[oofio2461]

but can it charge Android phones?

 

[vegetassj4]

So if I take two iPhones and connect them together, can they charge each other, generating unlimited energy.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Question, could I use the charger from my MacBook Pro 13 inch to charge the iPhone or would that kill it?

 

[jk111]

Question, could I use the charger from my MacBook Pro 13 inch to charge the iPhone or would that kill it?

You can do this. No issues.

 

[cateye]

Question, could I use the charger from my MacBook Pro 13 inch to charge the iPhone or would that kill it?

of course. The item being charged only draws the power it needs or can support and no more. I use the 96 watt brick from my 16 MacBookPro to charge other, much smaller devices all the time.

 

[fwmireault]

So now when on the go and if you own 2nd gen airpods pro, you only have to carry a USB-C apple watch charger to charge either of those devices with your iphone

 

[mrat93]

of course. The item being charged only draws the power it needs or can support and no more. I use the 96 watt brick from my 16 MacBookPro to charge other, much smaller devices all the time.

This applies to Apple products and most name-brand products, but it doesn't mean all USB-C devices can handle a more powerful charger. Some devices won’t charge at all, while others can actually break from having too much power applied.

I plan on keeping a USB-A to C cable connected to a 5W power brick, just for my things which can’t handle higher power.

 

[macduke]

The real question is this: Can you connect the MagSafe charger and make the iPhone charge itself?

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Not as convenient as putting your AirPods on the back of your phone to charge. But it’s great for emergency situations. 😃

Not as convenient, but charges quicker via cable presumably.

 

[sw1tcher]

Question, could I use the charger from my MacBook Pro 13 inch to charge the iPhone or would that kill it?

How about charging a MacBook Air or Pro with an iPhone 15?

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

So if I take two iPhones and connect them together, can they charge each other, generating unlimited energy.

I wouldn't be entirely surprised if the one with the most charge can charge the other one.

I mean, my MBP can charge my iPhone, and my iPhone can charge my AirPods. So...

Maybe it's possible for a fully charged iPhone, or even AirPods, to give a bit of charge to a fully drained MBP???

 

[MrRom92]

A legitimately useful feature. Good on you, Tim Apple.

 

[retroneo]

Not as convenient, but charges quicker via cable presumably.

The iPhones 12, 13 and 14 wirelessly charge the MagSafe Charger at 5W (or maybe 7.5)

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Question, could I use the charger from my MacBook Pro 13 inch to charge the iPhone or would that kill it?

I've been doing that with Mac laptops and iPhones for years.

It's especially useful when you're using your iPhone to Hotspot internet to your laptop, as using Hotspot drains the iPhone battery quite fast. Leave the phone plugged into the laptop, and it charges up to and stays at 100%.

I can go and sit in a cafe and work for hours without a charger with my 16" M1 Pro MBP.

Another trick, if you know you're going to need a charger when out and about, is to pack an extension cord and double adapter or multi-adapter. Thus if there is a powerpoint, but other people want to use it too, you have the double/multi-adapter to share the power, and the extension cord to sit at a distance from the power point when everyone else has taken up the seats close to it.

 

[JGIGS]

Not as convenient as putting your AirPods on the back of your phone to charge. But it’s great for emergency situations. 😃

I guess but if you have the cable on you, you likely have either a portable battery or adapter with so I think reverse wireless is really the true emergency situation fixer. Why the iPhone still doesn’t have this feature is a definite head scratcher this far along.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

This applies to Apple products and most name-brand products, but it doesn't mean all USB-C devices can handle a more powerful charger. Some devices won’t charge at all, while others can actually break from having too much power applied.

I plan on keeping a USB-A to C cable connected to a 5W power brick, just for my things which can’t handle higher power.

That would surely mean they aren't compliant with the specs.

The voltage supplied is the key, not the wattage (power). The current drawn is dependent on the voltage supplied and the resistance across the charging pins of the device being charged, I = V/R. The power (W) drawn is merely a product of that voltage and current, P = VI.

Chargers are voltage sources, supplying a fixed voltage, with current/power up to its maximum rated.

The question then is merely about what the rated voltage is of the device being charged, and if the charger is capable of supplying that voltage. USB-C detects the voltage required, and adjusts the charger's output accordingly.

 

[ericthered926]

Will this work from usb c to lightning for my “old” AirPods 2 case?

 

[zorinlynx]

The real question is this: Can you connect the MagSafe charger and make the iPhone charge itself?

You're the guy who plugs a UPS into itself and turns it on just to see what would happen, aren't you?

 

[Justin Cymbal]

This is such an awesome feature

I’m hoping that Apple expands this feature by adding the ability to allow users to charge up a friend or family member’s iPhone with their iPhone

 

[Amazing Iceman]

What about older AirPods with the Lightning connector on the case? Can they charge from the phone with a USB-C to Lightning cable?

By using logic I would answer Yes with 99.9% certainty.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

You're the guy who plugs a UPS into itself and turns it on just to see what would happen, aren't you?

Most likely, also a huge fan of “Will it blend?”.