You can transfer power from one phone to another using either reverse wireless charging or a direct cable connection. Most flagship Android phones released in the last few years support one or both methods, and iPhones with USB-C can share a small amount of power over a cable. The process is simple, but the charging speed is slow compared to a wall charger, so this works best as an emergency top-up rather than a full recharge.
How Reverse Wireless Charging Works
Every phone that supports wireless charging has a small coil inside it. Normally, this coil receives energy from a charging pad. Reverse wireless charging flips that role: the coil in your phone sends power instead of receiving it. You place the second phone (or any Qi-compatible device) on the back of the sharing phone, and energy transfers between the two coils through electromagnetic induction.
The output is modest. Reverse wireless charging typically delivers between 2.5 and 5 watts, which is roughly a quarter of what a standard wall charger provides. Expect to add around 10 to 20 percent battery to the receiving phone over 30 minutes, depending on both devices. Wireless charging also loses a significant chunk of energy as heat. One analysis found wireless charging consumed about 39% more energy than wired charging to fill the same battery, so a good portion of the power your phone gives up won’t actually reach the other device.
Setting Up PowerShare on Samsung Galaxy
Samsung calls its version Wireless PowerShare. It’s available on a wide range of models: the Galaxy S10 through S25 series, Note8 through Note20 Ultra, and every Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip model. Your phone needs at least 30% battery before it will let you share power.
To turn it on, pull down the quick settings panel from the top of your screen and look for the “Wireless PowerShare” tile. Tap it, then place the other phone face-down on the center of your Galaxy’s back, aligning the middle of both phones. You should feel a slight vibration or see a notification when charging begins. If nothing happens, try repositioning slightly. The coils need to be closely aligned, and a thick phone case on either device can block the connection.
Setting Up Battery Share on Google Pixel
Google’s version is called Battery Share. To enable it, open Settings, tap Battery, then tap Battery Share. You can set a cutoff point so your Pixel stops sharing when its own battery drops to a level you choose, anywhere from 10% to 50%. This is a useful safeguard so you don’t accidentally drain your own phone dead while helping someone else.
Once enabled, place the receiving phone on the back of your Pixel just like with Samsung. The same alignment tips apply: center the phones, remove bulky cases, and give it a moment to connect.
Sharing Power With a USB-C Cable
If both phones have USB-C ports, you can connect them directly with a USB-C to USB-C cable. This is faster and more efficient than wireless, since you avoid the energy lost to heat during induction. One phone will automatically start charging the other. On most Android phones, a notification appears asking whether you want to supply power or receive it, so you can control which direction the energy flows.
iPhones from the iPhone 15 onward can also share power through their USB-C port, but only at up to 4.5 watts, and Apple limits this to charging small accessories like AirPods and Apple Watch. You won’t be able to charge another phone from an iPhone this way.
For older Android phones with Micro USB ports, you can use an OTG (On The Go) adapter. This small dongle converts your phone’s Micro USB or USB-C port into a full-size USB-A port. Plug the OTG adapter into the phone that’s sharing power, then connect a standard charging cable from the adapter to the receiving phone. Not every older phone supports OTG power output, so check your specific model if it doesn’t work.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of It
Because the power output is low regardless of method, a few small adjustments make a real difference. Put the receiving phone in airplane mode or at least turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to reduce how fast it drains while charging. Lower the screen brightness or keep the screen off entirely. Every watt matters when you’re working with 2.5 to 5 watts of input.
On the sharing side, keep your own phone plugged into a wall charger if one is available. Many phones let you charge wirelessly from the back while receiving wired power through the port at the same time, essentially turning your phone into a wireless charging pad without draining its own battery.
Alignment is the most common reason wireless power sharing fails. The charging coils in most phones sit near the center of the back panel, but their exact position varies by model. If you’re not getting a connection, slowly slide the receiving phone around until both devices vibrate or show a charging indicator. Removing cases, especially thick or metal ones, often solves the problem immediately.
When This Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)
Transferring power between phones is genuinely useful in a pinch: a friend’s phone is about to die, you need to make one critical call, or you’re away from any outlet. It’s not a replacement for a portable battery pack. At 3 to 5 watts, charging a phone from 0% to full would take many hours and drain the sharing phone’s battery well before finishing. For regular use or travel, a small power bank rated at 10 watts or more will charge devices several times faster and hold more total energy than a phone battery can share.