Reverse charging on Xiaomi: how to turn on and use

Xiaomi’s reversible charging (or reverse wireless charging) feature on smartphones allows it to be used as a wireless charging station for other gadgets, such as headphones, smartwatches, or even another phone, which is especially useful in situations where there is no socket at hand but you need to urgently recharge the accessory. However, not all Xiaomi models support this feature, and in some cases it requires manual activation.

In this article, we’ll look at which Xiaomi devices have reverse charging, how to turn it on correctly (including hidden settings for some firmware), and the limitations and precautions that are important to consider. If you’ve never used this feature or have encountered errors when trying to activate it, the material will help you understand all the nuances.

What Xiaomi models support reverse charging

Not all Xiaomi smartphones have hardware support for reverse charging, a feature that is available primarily in flagship and some mid-range models, Released after 2020, and here is the current list of confirmed-supported devices:

• 📱 Xiaomi 12 Pro, 12S Ultra, 13 Pro, 13 Ultra – flagships with powerful wireless modules (up to the top) 10W exit).
• 📱 Xiaomi Mix 4, Mix Fold, Mix Fold 2 – foldable devices with support 5W.
• 📱 Redmi K50 Pro, K60 Pro – gaming smartphones with the function of Reverse Charge.
• 📱 POCO F4 GT, POCO F5 Pro – budget models with limited capacity (2.5W).

Important: Even if your model is on the list, the feature can be disabled by default in firmware. For example, on the Xiaomi 12T Pro, reverse charging is only available after manual activation in Settings → Battery.

To find out exactly if your smartphone supports this feature, check:

1. The presence of the inscription Wireless Reverse Charging in the characteristics on the official website of Xiaomi.
2. Item Reverse Charging in the Settings menu → Battery and performance.
3. Hardware compatibility: The back should have the Qi logo (Wireless Charging Standard).

How to turn on reverse charging: the standard method

If your Xiaomi supports the feature, you can activate it through the standard menu, which is suitable for most models on MIUI 12-14:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Battery and Performance section.
3. Select Wireless Charging (or Reverse Charging on some firmware).
4. Activate the Reverse Charging slider.

Once turned on, put a compatible gadget (such as the Xiaomi Watch S1 or AirDots Pro 2) on the back of the smartphone. The screen will show a notification about the start of charging. Power depends on the model: from 2.5W (budget devices) to 10W (flagships).

Nuance: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global), the menu item may be called differently - Wireless Power Share or Battery Share. If you do not find an option, try searching by settings (the magnifying icon at the top of the screen).

Check the charge level of the main smartphone (minimum 20%)

Make sure the back panel is clean (dust interferes with power transfer)

Use the original cable and power supply

Turn off the cover (if it is thicker than 2 mm)-->

Hidden settings: how to turn on reverse charging if it is not in the menu

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 11T Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro+), the reverse charging feature is hidden in the engineering menu or requires activation via ADB. This is due to regional restrictions or test firmware.

Method 1: through the engineering menu (for power users)

This method works on MIUI based on Android 11-13:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Battery Information.
3. Find the Wireless Reverse Charge and set the Enabled value.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause malfunctions. If the smartphone starts to overheat or discharge quickly after activation, return the settings to their original state.

Method 2: Through ADB-Teams (for advanced teams)

If the engineering menu didn’t help, try enabling the function through ADB:

adb shell settings put global wireless_reverse_charge_enabled 1

Once you've done the command, restart the device. To check if the change has worked, type in:

adb shell settings get global wireless_reverse_charge_enabled

If the answer is 1, the function is activated.

Restrictions and precautions

Reverse charging is a convenient feature, but it has technical and hardware limitations that are important to consider:

• ⚡ Charging speed: even Xiaomi flagships give no more 10W, It's 2-3 times slower than wired charging. ~1.5 hours.
• 🔋 Discharge of the main device: when activating reverse charging, the smartphone loses 1-2% of charge per minute (depends on the model).
• 🔥 Overheating: Long-term use of the function (more than 30 minutes) can cause the rear panel to heat up to 40–45°C.
• 📵 Incompatible devices: Not all gadgets support charging from smartphones (for example, Apple AirPods require Qi-certification).

Critical information: On models with a battery capacity of less than 4000 mAh (for example, Xiaomi 12 Lite), reverse charging can lead to accelerated battery wear due to high discharge currents.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use reverse charging if the main device is less than 20% discharged.This can cause the emergency shutdown of the smartphone due to insufficient voltage.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Users often have difficulty in trying to turn on reverse charging, and consider typical scenarios and ways to eliminate them:

Problem 1: The function is not turned on (the slider is inactive)

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Reverse charging only works when connected to the network through the original Xiaomi adapter (power from the mains). 18W).
• 📱 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Hardware defect: If the smartphone fell or was repaired, the wireless charging module could have been damaged.

Problem 2: The device does not detect the accessory

What to do:

1. Make sure the accessory supports Qi charging (check the documentation).
2. Try to change the position of the gadget on the back panel – the optimal location is usually in the center.
3. Clean the back of the smartphone and the accessory body from dust and grease (use a lilac-free napkin).

Problem 3: The smartphone is very hot

Reverse charging increases the load on the battery and processor, which leads to heating.

• 🌡️ Remove the case (especially silicone or thick).
• 📉 Close all background applications before activating the function.
• ❄️ Use charging in a cool room (not in the sun or near heating appliances).

💡

If the smartphone overheated, interrupt the charge and let it cool off in the off state for 10-15 minutes. Do not put it in the refrigerator - a sharp temperature drop is harmful to the battery.

Alternative ways to charge gadgets from Xiaomi

If your smartphone doesn’t support reverse charging or you’re experiencing problems, consider alternative options:

• 🔌 Xiaomi’s portable batteries (such as Mi Power Bank 3 Pro) support fast charging and are compatible with all gadgets.
• 📶 Wireless charging stations: devices like Xiaomi Wireless Charging Pad (20W) Charge up to 3 gadgets at the same time.
• ⚡ Branch cables: adapters USB-C → 2x USB-A Allows you to charge two devices from one power supply.

Comparison of methods:

If you travel frequently, the best option is to combine Power Bank and reverse charging, such as recharging the Power Bank from a hotel outlet and then using it for your smartphone and headphones.

💡

Reverse charging is a temporary solution. For regular use, it is better to purchase a Power Bank or a wireless station, so as not to load the battery of the smartphone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions