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

[davidg4781]

I think I have an older model of the one they're talking about. Either way, it's an older Anker with 2 A and 1 C ports, the C being for input.

If I plug it into my MBP (this is doable as per the details when I bought it), it usually charges the MBP but sometimes it'll go the other way around. I just have to turn it on first by holding down the button, then plug it into my MBP and it works. Not ideal but I guess they both don't know which way the power should be flowing.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

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

View attachment 2283950

Just another situation where Apple folks, new to the party, are not aware of basic stuff regarding the technology Apple just implemented

 

[Unregistered 4U]

This is most probably software fixable.

Not really. If the power bank says “input” then that’s what it is. If it’s not labeled at ALL, then it can be input or output usually depending on the order, but I’ve had a Dell laptop that, when it’s low, wants to charge the battery pack every time.

 

[bousozoku]

That isn't very user-friendly.

Guessing as to how it should work is user-friendly?

 

[coolkid93]

you’re plugging it in wrong

 

[TokyoKiller]

Aaaaaand the EU learns a hard lesson that just because the port looks the same on ALL devices, it doesn't mean the port will work with all devices. There are so many specs of USB-C and PD that comes with it, we were bound to run into these issues.

My USB-C power bank (A Costco one) does not work on everything I plug into it, so this is nothing new IMO.

 

[bousozoku]

Apple has no way to test every power bank on the market ...

They only have to test the power banks with type-C connections, and only from the major brands. They didn't do that, apparently.

 

[Macusercom]

Aren't you buying 3 iPhone 15 to use them as a power bank to charge your Anker PowerCore?

 

[2540497]

It affects Powerbanks with an INPUT USB-C port. Nothing to do with Apple.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

you’re plugging it in wrong

You are, indeed, correct. Very much so. With two bi-directional charging devices, it does matter the order they’re plugged in.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

It affects Powerbanks with an INPUT USB-C port. Nothing to do with Apple.

Yeah, if someone is already plugging an “input only” device and havnig their phone charge the battery pack, adding an setting will just confuse folks when they set it and they’re still not getting their phone charged.

Pay attention to the devices and how they should be used and they’ll be fine.

 

[JoeG4]

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.

I'd say it has at least a little to do with it. When I plug a usb-c device into my android phone there's a notification I can open to change which direction it tries to send the electrons. TBH android has had that feature as long as I can remember lol.

 

[Macalway]

Fortunately, I don't use these. MagSafe or cable. I do use those batteries for other thing quite often.

I will say the bi-directionality of USB-C drives me bonkers. Some cables are directional, some not? They should be marked I'm thinking. I often see warnings. Little good that does you if there are not marked LOL. So in effect, often this touted bi-directional property is a big issue.

 

[KPOM]

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

Yes they can. I’ve charged my phone from my iPad Air.

 

[CarAnalogy]

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.

Exactly. Just like so many things, stuff flies under the radar on Android that comes to light when the iPhone starts supporting it. This is more about exposing devices that aren't supporting standards properly.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Fortunately, I don't use these. MagSafe or cable. I do use those batteries for other thing quite often.

I will say the bi-directionality of USB-C drives me bonkers. Some cables are directional, some not? They should be marked I'm thinking. I often see warnings. Little good that does you if there are not marked LOL. So in effect, often this touted bi-directional property is a big issue.

I guess some cables are bi-curious? Or maybe they're just gender fluid cables?

Seriously though the USB Consortium kind of dropped the ball on cable standards.

 

[TinyMito]

I saw this coming, I had similar issue with power bank USB-C to another USB-C device. The power bank thinks ok you're charging me or I'm charging the other? Power bank gone confused.

iPhone 15 needs a toggle charging output mode.

 

[nicolas_s]

With USB-C, an input looks the same as an output, a video cable looks the same as an audio cable. Everything looks the same but everything is different.

"Superior" connector they said. "Not confusing" they said.

 

[Torty]

Thanks to EU it’s now easy to get my power bank charged. 😆

 

[mystery hill]

The USB-C port on the Anker mentioned in the post is only for input.

It’s working exactly as it’s supposed to.

Edit: This one is a different model.

 

[adam1080]

Anker 737 Power Bank (86Wh 140W output, oled display which shows direction and power of charge) Works awesome...

I want to get the newer, larger 99.54Wh 250w out 170w in version but they are out of stock everywhere.

Charging the iPhone 15PM perfectly(iPhone from 73%-81%) via Apple cable the best(smallest, lightest) 10000 mAh PD bank on earth from Nitecore, but you pay for all that...

I have some old Anker 10000 PD Slim batteries in a drawer I will try later.

Update.... the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 PD from my 11 Pro days works fine. just pulled it out of a drawer, 2 dots of 4 and the iPhone is 83% charged now…

 

[vk2109]

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:

On my 15P it's also working fine however the Anker Nano 22.5W is not working, nor charging when trying to do passthrough charging. Same issue with the iPad Pro as well.
However on small device like airpods its works. I guess it's the PD part.....

VK@

 

[mystery hill]

I literally just ordered this. 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?

The one you linked to says that the USB-C port is input-only. You should return it.

Recharge PowerCore using either the micro USB or USB-C ports. Micro USB cable included. USB-C cable not included. The USB-C port is input-only and cannot charge other devices

 

[Benjamins]

would be hilarious if someone thought they are charging the phone, but turns out the phone is charging the powerbank.

 

[dampfnudel]

It affects Powerbanks with an INPUT USB-C port. Nothing to do with Apple.

There are a lot of power banks that use one USB-C port for both output and input. I guess future power banks released by companies like Anker will have to have separate USB-C ports for output and input to be compatible with the USB-C iPhones.