Apple is unlikely to allow devices like Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPhone to wirelessly charge each other "in the near future," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In a report outlining the development of MagSafe battery accessories for the iPhone 12 lineup, Bloomberg says that Apple has "internally discussed a goal of letting many of its mobile devices like Apple Watches, AirPods, and iPhones charge each other," however, the report notes that it's unlikely to be launched in "the near future." With the launch of the iPhone 11 series in 2019, Apple was planning, but then later scrapped plans to allow the iPhone to reverse charge AirPods, according to the report.
Earlier this week, evidence discovered by MacRumors in iOS 14.5 hinted at a possible MagSafe battery accessory. Code within the beta software reads, "To improve charging efficiency and maximize available battery life, the battery pack will keep your phone charged at around 90%."
Apple has been researching the ability for devices to charge each other for some time. Patents discovered in January reveal a concept of a future MacBook wirelessly charging an iPhone or Apple Watch on either side of the trackpad. The patent envisions an ecosystem in which devices are reliant on each other for charging, and presumably syncing.
Despite the feature not being officially released, the technology itself is already available within the iPhone 12. According to FCC filings, all models in the iPhone 12 lineup have the ability to reverse charge an Apple accessory on the back. The iPhone would serve as a wireless charging pad for devices with wireless charging compatibility such as the AirPods (second generation), AirPods Pro, and the Apple Watch Series 3 and later.
In theory, Apple could enable the feature with an iOS update, although there's no indication the company will. It could be holding off on enabling the feature until it releases the newly reported MagSafe battery accessories.
That’s one feature that I really like that Samsung offers with -inverse charging-, because I personally would really like to top off my AirPods or Apple Watch from my iPhone. I don’t think it’s a ‘make it or break it’ feature that it won’t be possibly included it in the future, but it’s that one piece of technology that would be nice to have when you need it if you didn’t have access to an external charger.
But for Apple, it might be doable for a feature, but if they don’t believe that it’s 100% on par to their standards, they won’t offer it, so I understand.
Very lilely reverse charging wil be on the external MagSafe charger pack it can charge both devices. I don’t see the logic of sacrificing your main device to charge accessories.
Bloomberg, the most trustworthy news source around ?
(Jokes aside, I do kinda wish they would implement this. With how crazy good 12 Pro Max battery life is, it’d be cool to top off my AirPods/Watch with it. Alas)
I really miss not having this feature since switching to the Apple ecosystem. There have been a number of occassions when I've not had the appropriate charger with me that I realized I hadn't charged my Apple Watch up at it's sitting at 20%, or I didn't realise my Airpod case had run out of battery and my Airpods were on low charge, and I would have loved reverse charging just to give the particular peripheral a small top up to allow me to get through the day to when I would have access to the relevant charger again. It seems odd that it's not enabled if the iPhone is perfectly capable of doing it after all Apple ethos is all about providing the user with convenience and a seamless experience.
I know not everyone is me, but this seems like a silly, frivolous, feature.
Silly for at home/work, but I think back to BC (before corona) times when I would travel or go backpacking or camping. I love carrying my watch and would LOVE to not carry an add'l charger. Everyone usually has a Qi charger or lightning charger when you are out and about for charging your phone, and watches are becoming more common, but still not the same availability. I am hoping future watches move away from needing the Apple only charging solution and move to Qi or the reverse charging from the phone.
Apple is cutting production of its ultra-popular AirPods by around 25% to 30% due to a decrease in sales as a result of increased competition in the wireless earphone industry, according to a new report from Nikkei Asia.
According to the report, citing sources familiar with Apple's production plans, the tech giant now plans to produce only roughly 75 to 85 million units of AirPods for the...
Apple is researching the integration of multiple inductive charging coils into MacBooks and iPads to use them as wireless chargers for other devices, according to a patent filed by Apple. The patent, spotted by Patently Apple, is titled "Inductive charging between electronic devices" and was awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Apple has been researching device-to-device...
Apple is working on MagSafe-compatible battery packs that will be compatible with the iPhone 12 models, and leaker Jon Prosser today said on the Genius Bar podcast that one version of the battery pack will feature "reverse charging."
According to Prosser, Apple is working on two versions of the battery packs, one that's a standard version and one that's a premium version with reverse...
Amid continuing signs that third-generation AirPods are in the works, a number of images of the new design have purportedly leaked online.
Images recently shared by 52audio claim to reveal the updated design of the third-generation AirPods, perhaps giving us the first clear look at Apple's next-generation wireless earbuds.
The images depict AirPods with a shorter stem and a design very...
Apple accessories like watch bands and cases are often imitated by companies who want to make a quick buck fooling customers, and the new MagSafe charging line is no exception. There are dozens of fake MagSafe and MagSafe Duo chargers out there that consumers need to watch out for.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Over on our YouTube channel, MacRumors videographer...
All iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models purportedly have a hidden reverse wireless charging feature, according to an FCC filing. The feature has not yet been activated, but could yet be unlocked for an upcoming Apple accessory.
The FCC filing suggests that iPhone 12 models contain the hardware for Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) to accessories:
In addition to being able to be charged by a...
In a newly granted patent, Apple envisions a type of connectivity port using an iteration of its magnetic MagSafe charger to charge an iPhone, potentially paving the way for a future without Lightning.
Submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday (via Patently Apple), the patent outlines a three-pinned MagSafe charger, similar to the ones found in older MacBook...
Friday February 19, 2021 3:37 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple is working on a magnetic battery pack attachment for iPhone 12, according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple has been developing the attachment for at least a year and it has been scheduled to launch in the months following the release of the iPhone 12 line, according to people with knowledge of the product. The iPhone 12 models were introduced in October.
The battery ...
Apple is developing a new iPad Pro that will feature wireless charging capabilities, reports Bloomberg. The upcoming iPad Pro will debut in 2022, following the updated M1 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models that launched in May 2021. For the new iPad Pro, Apple is testing a glass back instead of an aluminum enclosure, which would allow for the wireless charging capabilities. Apple first...
Apple is preparing to launch third-generation AirPods this year, and plans to release second-generation AirPods Pro next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In line with previous leaks and rumors, Gurman explained that Apple is readying third-generation AirPods for launch later this year. The updated earbuds will apparently come with a new case and feature shorter stems, broadly...
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But for Apple, it might be doable for a feature, but if they don’t believe that it’s 100% on par to their standards, they won’t offer it, so I understand.
(Jokes aside, I do kinda wish they would implement this. With how crazy good 12 Pro Max battery life is, it’d be cool to top off my AirPods/Watch with it. Alas)
Everyone usually has a Qi charger or lightning charger when you are out and about for charging your phone, and watches are becoming more common, but still not the same availability. I am hoping future watches move away from needing the Apple only charging solution and move to Qi or the reverse charging from the phone.