Can Apple Watch Charger Charge iPhone?

People using Apple products often have this question – “Can an Apple watch charger charge an iPhone?”

Apparently, the charger is tailored specifically for Apple smartwatches. It comes with a circular magnetic pad that you can seamlessly attach to the back of your Apple Watch.

When attached, it powers up your watch, ensuring that it keeps ticking throughout the day. I also noticed that the charger’s magnetic connection makes charging a breeze and aligns well with the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor, creating secure and efficient charging.

I really love the convenience of this design because it saves me from a lot of hassle especially when I’m in a rush or simply want to charge my watch overnight.

If you’re wondering whether this handy charger can also power up your iPhone, you’ll find the answer in this article.

I’ll explain everything about the Apple Watch charger, what it can do, and the different charging mechanisms between the smartwatch and iPhone.

Without much ado, let’s dive right in!

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Apple Watch Charger Design and Functionality

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The Apple Watch charger is very durable and easy to carry around. It has the shape of a small round coaster and even though it’s not super fancy, it’s still a clever design.

The side that touches your Apple Watch when charging has a magnet that sticks the charger to the back of your watch. This aligns perfectly with the watch’s heart rate sensor.

Additionally, this magnetic functionality ensures that your Apple Watch stays firmly connected to the charger throughout the charging process. Unless your watch is in silent mode, the moment you start charging it, it plays a chime to let you know that it’s charging.

Aside from that, there’s an indicator that appears on the watch screen. This indicator is red when your watch is low but changes to green once it starts charging. And if the watch is in Low Power Mode, the charging symbol turns to yellow.

Another feature to note about the Apple Watch charger is that it is highly portable. Its small and lightweight design enables you to conveniently take it with you anywhere you’re heading.

I like that I can easily slip it into my pocket, bag, or even the tiniest compartments in my travel gear without a fuss. Overall, the design is super handy, especially when you’re on the move.

On functionality, the Apple Watch charger is specifically designed to charge Apple Watches. This makes it compatible with all models of the smartwatch, from the earliest Series 1 to the latest Series 7.

Its primary function is to ensure that your watch’s battery stays powered up to get you through your daily activities.

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Apple Watch Charger Compatibility with iPhone

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As much as both devices are Apple products, the Apple Watch charger can’t be your go-to iPhone charger, and here’s why:

1. Connector Type Differences

While an Apple Watch relies on the magnet on the charger’s pad to charge, an iPhone uses a Lightning cable or more specifically, a USB-C cable for charging. You have to connect these cables to the phone’s USB-C port to power up the phone.

As you can see, these connectors are physically incompatible. That means you can’t connect an Apple Watch charger directly to an iPhone and vice versa.

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2. Charging Modes

Apple Watch and iPhone also have different charging modes. Apple Watch relies on “inductive charging” which explains the transfer of power through magnets. iPhone on the other hand is a combination of inductive charging and “fast charging” depending on which iPhone you’re using.

The charger is smart and gives just the right amount of power to your iPhone’s battery. Best of all, it watches out for factors like temperature and voltage to ensure that the charging is safe and efficient.

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3. Power Output

As much as some iPhones support inductive charging, an Apple Watch charger can’t charge them because it is designed to provide a particular amount of power tailored to the watch’s battery capacity.

It’s generally a lower-wattage charger and attempting to charge your iPhone with it will be like trying to fill a swimming pool with a spoon of water. It won’t work.

Because iPhones come with larger battery capacities, their chargers are designed to shoot out a much stronger stream with a minimum of 20 watts. In fact, a standard iPhone charger emits more watts compared to the Apple Watch charger.

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Why the Apple Watch Charger Can’t Charge an iPhone?

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From the differences above, it’s obvious that the Apple Watch charger cannot produce the required wattage to power your iPhone. Aside from that, these devices were designed with specific charging methods.

Attempting to charge your iPhone with an Apple Watch charger might not only be ineffective but could potentially destroy the charger and your iPhone due to power mismatch.

So, as much as both devices are Apple products, it’s best to stick to the appropriate charger designed for each device if you want them to charge properly and safely.

That said, you might wonder, are there any charging options for iPhones then? Well, absolutely yes, and I’ll explain them below.

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Alternative Charging Options for iPhone

1. Portable Power Banks

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A power bank is a good option to charge your iPhone. At face value, it’s essentially a battery pack that stores electrical energy in mAh or milliampere/hour. So, the higher the mAh, the more power it stores.

Power banks are portable like Apple Watch chargers. However, while power banks are designed to recharge smartphones, tablets, and even sometimes laptops, an Apple Watch charger specifically recharges the smartwatch.

Aside from that, you’ll need a USB cord to charge your iPhone with a power bank. That’s unlike an Apple Watch charger that relies on a magnet to transfer power to the watch’s battery. It doesn’t have USB ports for charging other devices.

One of the primary reasons why I love power banks is because they are highly portable. They are typically rectangular or cylindrical, and you can carry them in your pocket, bag, or backpack with ease.

Before purchasing one, make sure that it has a high capacity so that it can effectively charge your iPhone multiple times. The minimum capacity to look out for is 20,000 mAh or more.

Also, check the size and weight of the power bank. Smaller, more compact models are easier to move around with.

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2. Desk Docking Station

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If you want to be able to charge your iPhone and still keep it accessible on your desk or workspace, then consider getting a desk docking station. I recently got one and it has really been serving me.

One of the features that fascinated me at first was its sleek and modern design. It looks really fancy, plus there’s a stable base that holds your iPhone upright so that you can still view your screen comfortably while it is charging.

You can make video calls, watch videos, or just keep an eye on notifications. There’s also a built-in charging connector that’s compatible with your iPhone’s USB-C port.

The best part about using this charging accessory is that it serves multiple functions beyond charging. You can use it to transfer data from your iPhone to your computer.

It also comes with an in-built speaker that allows you to listen to music or take calls hands-free while your iPhone is docked. You can even use it to charge your Apple Watch simultaneously.

I guess that’s the major difference between the dock charging station and an Apple Watch charger. However, both accessories support wireless charging.

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3. MagSafe Charger

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Following the launch of the iPhone 12, the MagSafe charger was introduced in the market. This charger supports wireless magnetic charging like the Apple Watch charger.

To charge your iPhone, you simply need to attach it to the back of the phone. There’s also a compartment to charge your Apple Watch.

Since these chargers come in different designs and brands, be sure that you choose the one that aligns with your iPhone to avoid potential compatibility or safety issues.

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Conclusion

To wrap it up, an Apple Watch charger cannot charge an iPhone. Its magnetic wireless charging mode is specifically made for Apple Watches.

Also, since the charger emits a lower power output, it’ll be dangerous to attempt charging your iPhone with it. It’s best to use either your standard iPhone charger, a power bank, or a desk docking station to charge your phone.

If you want a charging accessory that supports magnetic wireless charging like the Apple Watch charger, then the MagSafe charger is an ideal choice.

However, it only works on iPhone 12 and higher versions of iPhones. The best part is that there’s a compartment for charging your Apple Watch.

Overall, before purchasing any charging accessory, ensure that it’s compatible with your iPhone.