Among the charging technologies that our smartphones make up, one of the most interesting is reverse charging . However, it is also one of the most unknown by many users, who have it available on their terminals without knowing it. With this function, which should not be confused with classic wireless charging, our terminal can act as a charging station for other mobiles and even gadgets of all kinds such as wireless headphones or Bluetooth speakers.
Our mobiles have increasingly large charging capacities, with batteries that easily exceed 5,000 mAh. This allows you to get to the day with plenty of energy. In order to take advantage of that extra energy, many devices have long offered the possibility of “reverse charging”. This can be done wired or wireless. The first is usually available in many mid-range terminals that, due to price, do not integrate the second, which is more expensive and sophisticated, and which is usually reserved for the high-end or premium mid-range.
What does OTG mean?
USB On-The-Go (USB OTG or simply OTG) is a standard used for the first time at the end of 2001, and that allows those with a USB port, such as mobile phones or tablets, to act as a host or guest, allowing other USB devices, such as other smartphones, USB flash drives, cameras, mice, or keyboards, can connect to them.
USB OTG introduces the concept of a device that performs both master and slave functions. This will be possible as long as two USB devices are connected and at least one of them is a USB OTG device, to establish a communication link. The device that controls the link is called a master, host, or guest, while the other is called a slave or peripheral.
What is needed
Have the right mobile
The first and essential requirement is that our mobile supports this technology in any of its variants or in all of them. We can find out this by investigating the technical characteristics of the device, either in its manual, in the box, on the manufacturer’s website or in the files that we make on our site and even within the Device Settings. In all these cases, we will have to find a reference to “Reverse Charging”, “Reverse Charging” or “Reverse Charging”. The other mobile, that is, the one that receives the charge, does not need to have this technology, at least in the wired variant , since it will only receive a charge as if it were a plug or an external battery.
Enable the function in Settings
This technology requires that it be activated before use within the Settings of our mobile. Wired OTG charging or wireless charging streaming are usually available in the connectivity or battery settings, depending on the device.
Reverse charging types
Reverse charging by cable
This function is very easy to use, since it involves connecting two mobiles using a cable or adapter. The good thing is that the other device does not require this technology and also and unlike the wireless reverse charging that we will see later, the devices can be used more comfortably during this process.
To be able to charge we need, first of all, to enable the function within our smartphone . This can be found within the Connections menu or even in the Battery Settings. We can also use the search box of the settings and write “OTG”. Once inside we activate the option.
Now we will have to make use of the tool that makes reverse charging possible , which can be through a direct double output cable, or through an adapter and the USB cable of the device that receives the charge. The most used options are the following:
- OTG adapter : we will find OTG (On-The-Go) adapters for little money and suitable for our mobile. We can find them compatible with USB-C or microUSB ports, depending on the port that our mobile has.
- Direct charging cable : We can also use a direct charging cable, which has the same two outputs, that is, from USB-C to USB-C, from microUSB to micro USB or even the combination of both, if the mobile that charges and the one we are going to load have different standards. In that case, we will need a USB-C to microUSB cable.
Whichever option is chosen, once connected, we will connect the charging cable of the other mobile from the OTG of our mobile to its own charging port, and the battery will begin to charge instantly.
Wireless reverse charging
Reverse wireless charging is a more spectacular method, but in essence it is just as effective as the previous one. However, its integration is still something that we find in high-end devices. Similarly, it allows energy to be transferred from one device to another through direct contact on the back of both terminals. To achieve this, both terminals must be compliant with the WPC Qi certification.
To be able to start it, we must access Settings and enter Battery or Connections. Then we activate the reverse wireless charging function and then we will have to turn the phone over and place the terminal that is going to receive the charge on top. The reverse charge will start automatically and will remain active until we separate both terminals. However, for priority reasons, some devices disable reverse wireless charging when the battery level of the parent smartphone is too low.
Reverse Wireless Charging Aspects to Consider
This charging system is very effective, but somewhat more sensitive than the wired method, so we must take into account several aspects:
- Charging speed is not as fast as wired charges
- Devices should be as close as possible and both turned on
- It is advisable that the device to be charged is located in the central part of the terminal housing, which facilitates charging.
- Avoid all metallic objects, casing or covers before proceeding to charge