Some USB-C Power Banks Fail to Work With iPhone 15

[MacRumors]

Apple added a USB-C port to the iPhone 15 lineup this year, allowing it to work with USB-C cables, USB-C power banks, and more. It turns out that some USB-C battery packs are not working properly with Apple's iPhone 15, resulting in charging issues.

As highlighted on Reddit and the MacRumors forums, not all existing USB-C power banks can be used with the iPhone 15 models, perhaps due to the iPhone's reverse charging feature. In some cases, the iPhone 15 will fail to charge, or the iPhone 15 will charge the power bank.

A range of different power banks are affected, and because of the wide number of them on the market, it is impossible to list the models that are non-functional. One version that fails to work is the Anker PowerCore Slim 10K PD, and a customer who contacted Anker was told that the only way to get the power bank to charge the iPhone is to use the USB-A port.

It seems that due to the iPhone 15 series' reverse charging function, the USB C's port charging of Anker PowerCore Slim 10k PD will be influenced, which does not have a solution currently. The only way to get your iPhone charged is to use the USB A port.

Anker will do more tests on all of our power banks to see whether this is the issue with certain power banks and try to get a solution.

The iPhone 15 models are able to charge an Apple Watch, AirPods, or another iPhone through the USB-C port, and there is a possibility that this functionality is what's impacting some power banks. Most USB-C power banks with Power Delivery seem to be working as intended, including a number of models tested by MacRumors, but iPhone 15 owners should be aware that some could be incompatible.

Article Link: Some USB-C Power Banks Fail to Work With iPhone 15

 

[DotCom2]

This is just one of the reasons I no longer buy a iPhone on launch day. I wait and see what issues come up. Sad to hear this but hope it gets a fix.

 

[centauratlas]

It looks like the Anker nano power bank seems to be charging the 15PM - just tried it. Just as a datapoint.

Edit: This is the one that I tried:

 

[hardwickj]

This is just one of the reasons I no longer buy a iPhone on launch day. I wait and see what issues come up. Sad to hear this but hope it gets a fix.

This has little to do with the iPhone and everything to do with awful PD implementations on many of these power banks. I've experienced the same issue on different devices with several packs. Occasionally unplugging/replugging a few times will get them to negotiate correctly.

While it's been speculated that Anker's quality has been on the decline, it's telling to see them in the same bin as the knock-off brands in this regard.

 

[thegerman]

,,You're charging it wrong"

 

[scrapesleon]

So many issues in so little time the amount of cash spent in R&D there shouldn’t be any problem

 

[now i see it]

EU: “You must switch to USB-C”
Apple: “Ok”

 

[sw1tcher]

In some cases, the iPhone 15 will fail to charge, or the iPhone 15 will charge the power bank.

Maybe there needs to be a toggle under battery settings that tells the iPhone to either accept a charge or to reverse charge? 🤷‍♂️

 

[KevinMHC]

It literally says INPUT on the UBC C port... WTF were you expecting?

 

[iOS Geek]

Lots of issues seem to be popping up with USB-C lately. Wonder how many more stores we're going to see about USB-C not working correctly for whatever given function. Superior connector my ***. Maybe the EU should've kept their noses out of it instead of mandating this crap.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

And this is exactly why so many were lamenting the change from a proprietary charging port to a standardized one…

At least we still have the App Store to help avoid these issues on the software side… for now.

 

[gpat]

This is most probably software fixable.

 

[macduke]

EU: 👀

 

[Amazing Iceman]

USB-C Ports on PowerBanks can be input or output.
Apple may need to add a Setting to have this feature be either: Auto, Change (get charged by another device) or Charger (charge other devices).

 

[sack_peak]

This will be a problem for powerbanks that both output & input power via USB-C. If Apple were to be so kind as to create a prompt whether to send or receive power to or from the iPhone.

But how does USB-C iPads do their powerbank charging?

 

[oceptis]

I don’t want to jinx myself but I haven’t any issues with the 15PM. The Anker Powercore Fusion 10000 I just bought with Anker a 3ft USB-C charging cable works just fine. No heat issues either. In fact since last Friday afternoon I’ve only charged it about 30 min each day on the Apple MagSafe charger and it hasn’t gone below 50%. I must be living right this week.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Lots of issues seem to be popping up with USB-C lately. Wonder how many more stores we're going to see about USB-C not working correctly for whatever given function. Superior connector my ***. Maybe the EU should've kept their noses out of it instead of mandating this crap.

Sometimes the problem is the cable being used. Some cheap cables don't work properly.

 

[aries81]

Why not list the ones that DO work then?

 

[iOS Geek]

Sometimes the problem is the cable being used. Some cheap cables don't work properly.

And therein lies the problem. People think USB-C is standardized...and they are both right and wrong about that. The shape of the plug...yes, that's standardized. The capabilities of that cable...not even close. I have multiple USB-C cables in my house and I'm pretty sure each and every one of them has different specs and what works and what doesn't. If people want "standardized" cables...USB-C definitely isn't that.

The EU wanted to throw its power-hungry weight around and it's leaving us with problem after problem now. The EU did what governments do best: take something that worked just fine...and break it. It really seems like with the more things the EU forces...the more the quality drops. This is what happens when people who don't understand technology try to regulate it. Things might be different if they actually had to fully understand the things they want to exert their power over instead of just throw their weight around because they like making rules and don't know what else to do.

 

[BeatCrazy]

This will be a problem for powerbanks that both output & input power via USB-C. If Apple were to be so kind as to create a prompt whether to send or receive power to or from the iPhone.

But how does USB-C iPads do their powerbank charging?

I don’t think USB-C iPads can charge other devices?

 

[dannyyankou]

Moving to USB C was the right move, but one of the trade offs is that Apple had tighter control with lightning. With USB C, it’s kinda like the wild west because there’s no “made for iPhone” usb c certification.

 

[BenGoren]

USB-C Ports on PowerBanks can be input or output.
Apple may need to add a Setting to have this feature be either: Auto, Change (get charged by another device) or Charger (charge other devices).

I want this feature in general for all devices.

Sometimes I daisy-chain from wall wart to my MacBook Air to my iPad Pro. If the power goes out (such as if the wall wart gets knocked off the wall), the MacBook will continue to sacrifice its battery to the iPad. If anything I’d want it to be the other way around.

Sure, go ahead and have some sort of “smart” default.

But then give me an option, on each device, for each port, to specify if I want it to draw power and / or supply power — and, for that matter, whether I want it to communicate data. Ideally, with some thresholds — such as, only supply power to such-and-such a device, and only if there’s at least 70% battery left. And when to do pass-through, etc.

It’s a guarantee that no algorithm is going to know what I actually want to do.

b&

 

[wiggaty]

Have that exact model listed in the article...mine is charging without an issue via the USB-C on the Anker 🤟

 

[sack_peak]

I don’t think USB-C iPads can charge other devices?

Away from a power outlet and need to charge your iPhone, other iPad, Apple Watch, or third-party USB device? Just connect the right cable or adapter to your iPad to share its long-lasting battery with your other devices:

• To charge your iPhone or earlier-model iPad that has a Lightning port, connect it to your iPad using the Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m). If you have a Lightning to USB cable, you can combine it with the Apple USB-C to USB Adapter, then connect the adapter to your iPad.
• If you have two iPad models with USB-C ports, you can connect them directly with a USB-C cable. One iPad will draw power from the other. If you want to change which iPad charges, unplug the USB-C cable and then reconnect them.
• Charge your Apple Watch by connecting its Magnetic Charging Cable to your iPad via the Apple USB-C to USB Adapter. If you have an Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable, you can connect it directly to your iPad.

Charge and connect with the USB-C port on your iPad - Apple Support (PH)

Use the versatile USB-C port on your iPad to charge, connect to accessories like external storage devices, cameras, and displays, and power other devices.

support.apple.com

 

[BOOMBA]

I literally just ordered this.

Anker Portable Charger, Power Bank, 10,000 mAh Battery Pack with PowerIQ Charging Technology and USB-C (Input Only) for iPhone 15/15 Plus/15 Pro/15 Pro Max, iPhone 14/13 Series, Samsung Galaxy

Anker Portable Charger, Power Bank, 10,000 mAh Battery Pack with PowerIQ Charging Technology and USB-C (Input Only) for iPhone 15/15 Plus/15 Pro/15 Pro Max, iPhone 14/13 Series, Samsung Galaxy

www.amazon.com

is this the model they are talking about? (it doesn't say "PD" in the title). But it has input/output USBC ports.
You think I should return without even opening it or try it?