iPhone 15's USB-C Port Can Charge Your Apple Watch and AirPods

Tuesday September 12, 2023 6:22 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Now that the iPhone 15 models have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, it is possible to use an ‌iPhone 15‌ to charge the AirPods or Apple Watch directly.

iPhone 15 USB C Port Event Still
You'll need an appropriate cable to charge with an iPhone, such as a USB-C to USB-C cable for the new AirPods Pro 2 USB-C Charging Case, or a USB-C Apple Watch charging puck, but it's a useful function that wasn't available with Lightning.

Apple highlighted the new functionality in its iPhone 15 Pro announcement and it makes sense because USB-C Macs can be used for charging the AirPods and Apple Watch, but it is novel because we aren't accustomed to charging accessories with an ‌iPhone‌.

If your AirPods or Apple Watch run out of battery while you don't have access to a charger, it is convenient to be able to use the ‌iPhone‌'s battery for a little extra juice rather than carrying around a battery pack.

USB-C brings other conveniences, such as the ability to use the same charging cable for Macs, iPads, iPhones, and other USB-C accessories. On the iPhone 15 Pro models, it also brings faster USB 3 transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s, provided you're using the right cable. ‌iPhone 15‌ models are limited to USB 2 charging speeds, the same as the Lighting port.

Related Roundups: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro

Buyer's Guide: iPhone 15 (Buy Now), iPhone 15 Pro (Buy Now)

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

vegetassj4

2 weeks ago

So if I take two iPhones and connect them together, can they charge each other, generating unlimited energy.

Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)

RDowson

What about older AirPods with the Lightning connector on the case? Can they charge from the phone with a USB-C to Lightning cable?

Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jk111

Question, could I use the charger from my MacBook Pro 13 inch to charge the iPhone or would that kill it?

You can do this. No issues.

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

macduke

The real question is this: Can you connect the MagSafe charger and make the iPhone charge itself?

Black.Infinity

Not as convenient as putting your AirPods on the back of your phone to charge. But it’s great for emergency situations. ?

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

cateye

of course. The item being charged only draws the power it needs or can support and no more. I use the 96 watt brick from my 16 MacBookPro to charge other, much smaller devices all the time.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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