Battery and charging
Charging over the wired connector
Most people call this charging by cable, and charging other things.
The wired port charges your iPhone, and on USB-C models it can also send power out to accessories such as headphones or another phone.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 17 and later
- Settings
- Battery
There is no switch. Behaviour depends on the connector your iPhone has.
What it does
USB-C iPhones can act as a power source for small accessories plugged into the port. Power goes out only when the accessory asks for it and the phone has charge to spare.
Lightning and 30 pin models charge in only one direction.
What changes
When it is on
Not applicable. Behaviour is decided by what you plug in.
When it is off
Not applicable.
Should you turn it on?
Battery
Depends how you use it
Privacy
No real change
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: Automatic. The phone decides based on the accessory.
What your iPhone needs
- Needs a USB-C iPhone
Questions people actually ask
- Can my iPhone charge my AirPods?
- USB-C models can supply power to a small accessory plugged into the port. Lightning models cannot.
If it is not working
- If an accessory does not charge, check the cable supports data as well as power.
- USB Restricted Mode blocks accessories more than an hour after the phone was last unlocked. Unlock the phone first.
- Power out stops when your own battery is low.