Many flagship and mid-range phones from Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, and Google support this feature. Check your device's technical specs or the charging options in system settings to confirm support.
Battery & charging
Reverse Wireless Charging: Definition & explanation
In a nutshell
Reverse Wireless Charging lets a smartphone share its own battery power wirelessly with other devices, such as earbuds or smartwatches. The phone itself acts as a charging pad.
How does Reverse Wireless Charging work?
Reverse Wireless Charging uses the same Qi technology as standard wireless charging, just in the opposite direction. Instead of receiving power from a charging pad, the back of the phone generates an electromagnetic field that powers a compatible device placed on top of it. The feature is usually enabled manually in system settings, since it drains the phone's own battery.
Output power is much lower than dedicated charging pads, typically 2.5 to 10 watts, enough for small devices like true wireless earbuds or smartwatches. Larger devices charge very slowly or not at all.
The technology is handy when no cable or power bank is available on the go. It's best suited for occasional emergency top-ups rather than continuous use, since it quickly drains the host phone's battery. Manufacturers like Samsung (Wireless PowerShare), Huawei (Wireless Reverse Charging), and some Xiaomi models offer this feature. A sufficiently large battery capacity is required, otherwise too little reserve remains for the phone itself.
Advantages of Reverse Wireless Charging
- No extra charging cable needed
- Handy for emergency top-ups on the go
- Quickly charges earbuds and smartwatches
- Works with any Qi-compatible device
Disadvantages of Reverse Wireless Charging
- Drains the phone's own battery quickly
- Low output for larger devices
- Inefficient due to significant energy loss
- Not available on all smartphones
Frequently asked questions
Due to energy losses in wireless transmission, the phone loses noticeably more battery than the other device actually receives. Fully charging earbuds can quickly cost several percentage points of the phone's own charge.
Guides with Reverse Wireless Charging
No linked guides for this term yet.