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

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 Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Thursday January 15, 2026 10:56 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another eight months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of January 2026: The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

These 5 Apple Products Will Reportedly Be Upgraded With OLED Displays

Friday January 16, 2026 7:07 pm PST by
Apple plans to upgrade the iPad mini, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, iMac, and MacBook Air with OLED displays between 2026 and 2028, according to DigiTimes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that the iPad mini and MacBook Pro will receive an OLED display as early as this year, but he does not expect the MacBook Air to adopt the technology until 2028 at the earliest. A new iPad Air is...
2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for iPhones, Macs, and More

Thursday January 15, 2026 11:19 am PST by
Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the United States, according to the company's website. Most of the values declined slightly, but some of the Mac values increased. iPhone ...
Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Friday January 16, 2026 12:12 pm PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

New Leak Reveals iPhone 18 Pro Display Sizes, Under-Screen Face ID, and More

Wednesday January 14, 2026 7:09 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around eight months away, a leaker has shared some alleged details about the devices. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo this week, the account Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Consistent with previous...

Top Rated Comments

vegetassj4 Avatar
31 months 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 Avatar
31 months ago
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 Avatar
31 months ago

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 Avatar
31 months ago
The real question is this: Can you connect the MagSafe charger and make the iPhone charge itself?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Black.Infinity Avatar
31 months ago
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 Avatar
31 months ago

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