The adoption of USB-C by Apple has unlocked a wide range of possibilities for the iPhone 15 series. Notably, Android phones have unofficially joined the list of devices that can now be connected to the new iPhones through the USB-C port. While we eagerly await the arrival of our iPhone 15 units to personally test this feature, the team at PetaPixel had the opportunity to connect the iPhone 15 to an Android phone and observe the outcome.
In a YouTube video, the presenters plugged an iPhone 15 into an Android phone with a USB-C cable. Amazingly, the Android began charging right away using power from the iPhone! When they reversed it, the iPhone also started charging from the Android.
However, transferring files between the two devices did not work. The Android could not see files on the iPhone, and vice versa. It seems the phones can share power through USB-C, but not storage.
The connection between the iPhone and Android also seemed unstable. Repeated plugging and unplugging caused different charging behaviors. More testing will give better insight into how this cross-brand linking works.
Apple says the iPhone 15’s USB-C port can connect to Macs, iPads, and other devices. But this experiment shows Android phones may join that list unofficially. As iPhone 15 models just reach customers, expect many more creative tests of its versatile USB-C port. But for now, it allows charging between Apple and Google devices at the very least!
