Apple is reportedly preparing to add reverse wireless charging to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The feature would allow users to place accessories, such as AirPods or an Apple Watch, on the back of the iPhone to recharge them without needing a separate charger.
Reverse wireless charging has been part of the conversation around iPhones for years. Earlier this year, leaker Instant Digital claimed that Apple was actively testing the feature for the iPhone 17 Pro, with early trials targeting 7.5W wireless output. The timing also makes sense given Apple’s recent wireless charging updates. With iOS 26, the iPhone 16 lineup gained support for Qi2, the new open standard that enables up to 25W wireless charging speeds. Combined with MagSafe’s reliable magnetic alignment, Apple has built a strong foundation for expanding into reverse charging.
Apple has already hinted at this functionality in past hardware. The MagSafe Battery Pack, released alongside the iPhone 12, supported a limited version of reverse charging when plugged into Lightning power. In addition, patents and teardowns have revealed that several recent iPhone models carried the underlying components to support wireless power sharing, though the feature was never activated. Apple’s cautious approach has long raised questions about when, or if, reverse wireless charging would finally be enabled.
If introduced, the iPhone 17 Pro’s implementation is expected to be optimized for small accessories rather than other smartphones. That makes sense within Apple’s ecosystem, where topping up an Apple Watch mid-day or giving AirPods a quick boost is far more common than recharging another iPhone.
In the broader competitive landscape, Samsung and Google have included reverse charging on their flagship devices for years, but typically at modest speeds. Apple’s delay has been tied less to capability and more to ensuring efficiency and reliability. If the iPhone 17 Pro does launch with reverse wireless charging, it is likely to include intelligent power management and seamless accessory recognition, allowing the feature to work quietly in the background without user friction.
As Apple readies the iPhone 17 lineup for its expected September 2025 debut, reverse wireless charging could emerge as one of its most practical and ecosystem-driven upgrades. It would not only catch Apple up with rivals but also extend the iPhone’s role as the central hub of daily life.
(via Fixed Focus Digital)
