No, the iPhone 12 does not support general reverse wireless charging for devices like AirPods or Apple Watch. However, it can reverse charge the MagSafe Battery Pack—but only when the iPhone is plugged into power via the Lightning port. This hidden capability is built into the hardware but not fully unlocked in software.
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What Is Reverse Wireless Charging?
Reverse wireless charging is a feature that turns your phone into a wireless power source. It allows the phone to share its battery with other compatible devices—like earbuds, smartwatches, or even other smartphones—wirelessly, through inductive charging.
Leading Android manufacturers have adopted this feature under different brand names:
- Samsung: Wireless PowerShare, found on Galaxy S10 through S24, Note 10/20, and Z Flip/Fold models.
- Huawei: Mate 20 Pro, P30 Pro, Mate 40 Pro, and more.
- Xiaomi: Mi 10, 11, 12S Ultra, 13 Pro.
- Google & OnePlus: Pixel 6/7/8 series and OnePlus 8 Pro and later.
Charging power varies. While Android phones often support reverse wireless charging up to 10W, the iPhone 12’s hidden capability is limited to 5W, according to FCC filings. This is slightly below the 7.5W most iPhones can receive from Qi chargers.
The Hidden Hardware Inside iPhone 12
Apple never announced reverse wireless charging for the iPhone 12 at launch. However, FCC documents and Apple support materials later revealed that the device includes hardware capable of 5W wireless power output.
This suggests that the phone could, in theory, charge small devices like AirPods or Apple Watch, but Apple has not enabled this functionality for general use. As it stands, only one specific use case is supported.
Reverse Wireless Charging Works—But Only With MagSafe Battery Pack
The only functional example of reverse wireless charging on the iPhone 12 is with Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack. Here’s how it works:
- Plug your iPhone 12 into a power source via Lightning cable.
- Attach the MagSafe Battery Pack to the back of the iPhone.
- The iPhone will wirelessly charge the battery pack while it is also charging itself.
This use case is not labeled as reverse charging in the interface, but Apple has confirmed this behavior through official documentation. It’s limited, locked, and available only for this one accessory.
Which iPhones Support Reverse Charging?
Here’s a breakdown of where reverse charging stands across iPhone models:
- iPhone 12, 13, 14: Hardware supports limited reverse wireless charging (only for MagSafe Battery Pack when plugged in). No general support.
- iPhone 15 Series: Supports wired reverse charging via USB-C to USB-C cable. It can charge AirPods, another iPhone, or small USB-C accessories.
- Other models: Do not support reverse charging at all.
The Role of MagSafe: Confusion and Clarification
MagSafe is a magnetic wireless charging system introduced with the iPhone 12. It aligns compatible accessories to the device for faster and more efficient wireless charging.
However, MagSafe is not the same as reverse wireless charging. It is not designed to transmit power from the iPhone to other devices. The only MagSafe-compatible device that benefits from limited reverse charging is the MagSafe Battery Pack, and only when the iPhone is plugged in.
No AirPods, no Apple Watch, no other devices can be charged using MagSafe or via the back of the iPhone.
Why Is the Feature So Limited on iPhone 12?
There are a few likely reasons why Apple has restricted this capability:
- Battery Life Management: Reverse wireless charging consumes more power and generates heat. iPhones are not equipped with oversized batteries like some Android flagships.
- Thermal Constraints: Wireless power output adds heat. With limited internal cooling, this could damage components or reduce performance.
- Ecosystem Control: Apple may be reserving this feature for future product integration or to avoid supporting third-party accessories.
- Software Delays: Apple often includes hardware features long before they’re enabled (as seen with dual-SIM, LiDAR, etc.). This could be another case of delayed feature rollout.
Can You Charge AirPods or Apple Watch with iPhone 12?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions—and the answer is no. Despite the hardware capability and rumors, the iPhone 12 cannot charge AirPods, Apple Watch, or other Qi-compatible devices wirelessly.
The only exception remains the MagSafe Battery Pack, and even that only works under very specific conditions.
How to Turn On Reverse Wireless Charging on iPhone 12?
You can’t. iOS does not offer any toggle or setting to enable this feature. Some users mention options like:
Settings > Battery > Wireless Reverse Charging
But that only applies to Android phones. There is no such path or button in iOS. Any guide or tutorial claiming otherwise is either misinformed or intended for another operating system.
Debunking the Myths and Rumors
There has been a lot of confusion online—Reddit threads, Apple Community posts, and third-party blogs suggesting hidden features or upcoming software switches.
These are the most common misconceptions:
- “You can reverse charge AirPods by placing them on the back” – False.
- “There’s a setting buried in iOS to turn it on” – False.
- “Reverse charging will come in a future iOS update” – No official confirmation.
The only proven instance of reverse charging is the MagSafe Battery Pack scenario.
A Glimpse into the Future of iPhone Charging
Apple has filed multiple patents showing concepts of reverse charging, including charging accessories through the screen or magnetic alignment for reverse energy transfer.
Future iPhones may allow users to:
- Place AirPods or Apple Watch directly on the screen or back for charging.
- Share power wirelessly with another iPhone via MagSafe.
- Automatically charge low-battery accessories using AI-based power distribution.
There is also speculation that future AirTags or AirPods may be built with rechargeable batteries to support this feature—once Apple unlocks it.
Conclusion: Hardware-Ready, But Software-Limited
So, does the iPhone 12 support reverse wireless charging?
- Yes, the hardware is capable of 5W wireless power output.
- Yes, it can charge the MagSafe Battery Pack, but only when plugged into a Lightning cable.
- No, it cannot charge other devices like AirPods, Apple Watch, or iPhones.
- No, there is no user-accessible setting or menu to turn this feature on.
Unless Apple decides to activate the full potential in a future update, reverse wireless charging on the iPhone 12 remains a hidden feature, not a usable one.
FAQ: How to turn on reverse wireless charging iphone 12?
Can the iPhone 12 charge another iPhone using a cable?
No, the iPhone 12 does not support wired reverse charging. Unlike the iPhone 15 series, which can share power through its USB-C port using a USB-C to USB-C cable, the iPhone 12 uses a Lightning port, which only allows for power input—not output. You cannot use the iPhone 12 to charge another iPhone or any device via a cable.
Is there any jailbreak tweak that enables reverse wireless charging on iPhone 12?
As of now, no jailbreak tweak has been developed or proven to enable reverse wireless charging on iPhones. Even if jailbroken, the feature appears to be restricted at the firmware level by Apple, and the hardware is only permitted to activate reverse charging in very specific, locked-down cases (like with the MagSafe Battery Pack). Any tool claiming to unlock this could pose a security or hardware risk.
Can third-party accessories trigger reverse charging on the iPhone 12?
No. The iPhone 12’s reverse charging feature only works with Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack, and only when the phone is plugged in. Third-party battery packs or magnetic accessories—even if MagSafe-compatible—cannot be charged by the iPhone 12, as the software does not allow reverse power flow for them.
Is the iPhone 12 reverse charging feature available in all regions or countries?
Yes, the hardware capability exists in all iPhone 12 models worldwide, regardless of region. However, since Apple hasn’t enabled full reverse wireless charging in any version of iOS, the feature is universally limited, not region-restricted. The use case with the MagSafe Battery Pack is also consistent globally.
Will future iOS updates enable full reverse wireless charging on iPhone 12?
There is no official confirmation from Apple that future iOS updates will unlock this feature. However, given Apple’s track record of activating hidden hardware capabilities later (such as dual-SIM support or spatial audio), it’s possible that full reverse charging could be enabled in a future update—especially if Apple introduces more accessories that support it. Until then, the feature remains dormant.