How to Use Reverse Charging on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have evolved into powerful portable batteries that can not only consume energy, but also give it away. A feature known as reverse charging allows you to use your phone as a powerbank to recharge other gadgets, especially in situations where there is no power outlet at hand, and headphones, smartwatches or other phone require urgent recharge.

Unlike standard methods, this mode does not require additional wires if devices support wireless power transmission. However, even with a wired connection, the technology works steadily, providing current transfer. Understanding the principles of this system will help you effectively manage the energy resources of your device, whether it is the flagship Xiaomi 13 or the more affordable models of the Redmi Note series.

Device owners often don’t realize that their gadget can share power, as the default feature can be turned off or hidden in deep settings. Activating this mode requires minimal knowledge of the MIUI or HyperOS interface. Let’s take a look at which models support this option and how to use it correctly so as not to damage the battery.

Principle of operation and compatible devices

Recharge technology is based on power transmission standards that allow for a change in current direction. In the case of the wireless method, electromagnetic induction is used, similar to that used in conventional charging stations. When wired, the smartphone simply switches the power controller to the power source mode, applying voltage to the output port USB Type-C.

It’s important to understand that not all of the Chinese giant’s smartphones are equipped with the necessary hardware, including a special coil and controller for wireless reverse charging, which is usually available in flagship lines such as the Mi (digital series), Xiaomi (12, 13, 14 series) and some Mi Mix models.

⚠️ Note: Reversible charging on models that do not support this function software or hardware is not possible and may lead to unstable operation. USB-port.

Wired reverse charging is more common and available even in the mid-range segment, but the power transfer rate is limited by safety standards to keep the donor device from overheating, and the current is usually lower than when you charge your phone from the grid.

Both devices don’t need to be the same brand to be able to transfer power successfully. Qi protocols and standard USB profiles allow other brands to charge devices, including Samsung, iPhones and various gadgets, as long as the receiving device meets safety standards and can receive current through the appropriate interface.

How to enable reverse charging through settings

Activation of a function in the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS is done through the battery settings menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the operating system version, but the logic remains the same. First, you need to find the partition responsible for managing power consumption.

Go to the Settings menu, then select Battery. In the window that opens, look at the top of the screen or the additional tabs where the advanced options are often hidden, and that's where the switch that activates the external power supply mode is located.

• 🔋 Open the Security app and find the Battery section».
• ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner or the settings icon.
• 🔄 Find the option “Reverse charging” or “Reverse wireless charging».
• ✅ Activate the slider by confirming the warning system.

Once turned on, the phone will start looking for compatible devices or feed current to the port. In some firmware versions, this item may be called "Wireless reverse charging." If you can't find this option, your model may not support this feature at the software level.

It's worth noting that the system will automatically shut down power if the smartphone itself drops to a critical level, usually 10-15%, a protection mechanism that prevents your main device from completely discharging, and the feature may not work if Flight mode is on or certain background activity restrictions are activated.

Use of fast wireless power transmission

The wireless method is most convenient for charging small electronics, such as TWS-Headphones or smartwatches. To start the process, just turn on the appropriate option in the settings and put the second device with the back panel to the center of the back of your Xiaomi smartphone.

Wireless charging speeds are generally lower than wired and range from 5 to 10 watts depending on the donor model. Flagship devices may support higher power, but they also warm up more. It is recommended to remove protective covers from both devices for prolonged use, especially if they are thick or contain metal elements.

The phone can get a lot of heat as it works, which is a normal physical process when it's inductively powered, but if it gets too hot, the system will force it to stop. The efficiency of wireless transmission is about 60-70%, so most of the energy is lost as heat.

Wired connection via USB Type-C

If wireless is not available or more stable transmission is required, you can use a cable. For this, you will need a USB Type-C cable on Type-C or Type-C on Lightning/Micro-USB, depending on the gadget you are plugging in. Connect one end to the Xiaomi smartphone and the other to the device you want to charge.

Unlike the wireless method, you don't have to include anything in the settings menu. Modern power controllers automatically detect the connection and, if the donor phone has enough charge, start giving off power. OTG or external.

This is often faster and more efficient, because the energy loss in the cable is minimal compared to the air environment, and the devices do not heat as much as inductive charging, but it is worth remembering that the current is limited by the USB standard, and the fast charging of the second device may not be activated.

⚠️ Note: Do not use damaged cables, as when reversing charging, the risk of short circuit or power surge can damage the power controller of both devices.

Some users prefer this method for charging laptops, although the power of the smartphone is usually not enough to fully work the laptop. However, to replenish the laptop battery by a few percent in an emergency is quite possible, the main thing is that the laptop supports charging through the USB-C port.

Restrictions and safety of use

Using a smartphone as a power bank has its limitations, both physical and security, and first of all, it's about battery capacity. When you give up energy, you quickly use up your own resource. If your phone's charge falls below a certain threshold, the system will shut down the function so you can make the call yourself.

Heat generation is the second important factor: Long-term reverse charging, especially in hot weather or in direct sunlight, can lead to overheating, accelerates the degradation of the lithium-ion battery, and regular use of the phone as a donor can shorten the overall life of its battery.

• 🌡️ Control the temperature of the body during the process.
• 🔋 Don’t drain your phone to zero when you’re giving energy away.
• 📱 Remove thick covers for better heat exchange.
• ⏱️ Take breaks if the devices are too hot.

Also, when you use the screen or heavy applications at the same time as you give energy back, the phone can run unstable, the processor and the charging module create a double load, and at such times it is better to give the device peace.

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To extend battery life, try not to use reverse charging when your Xiaomi’s charge level is below 40%.

Problem Solving and Diagnostics

Often, users are faced with a situation where the function does not work despite the availability of support. One common reason is the power saving mode on, which blocks the background data and power transfer, check if this mode is activated in the battery settings.

Another problem is a poor cable or cover that prevents the coils from contacting, so if wireless charging doesn't start, try removing the case from both devices and make sure they're in the center, and if you wire them, replace the cable with one that's known to be in good working order.

If nothing helps, it may have been a software failure, a device reboot often solves the problem of suspended power management services, and in rare cases, you need to reset your network settings or completely update your firmware to the current version.

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The stable operation of reverse charging depends on the state of the software and the ambient temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)