Why Is My Phone Charging Backwards?

Have you noticed that your phone is charging backward for the first time? I’ve encountered this issue multiple times, and it’s a common problem with mobile phones. This issue isn’t new. So, I’m here with a detailed guide on “Why is my phone charging backwards?”

Whenever you plug your phone device into a power source, you might notice that the charging percentage doesn’t increase, and the battery drains too quickly. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as Reverse Charging.

Based on my own experiences, I’ve created this post to explain why your phone might be charging backwards. Users who face this issue might relate to it and find solutions to resolve it.

Before we dive into the details of the “Phone Charging Backwards” issue, it’s important to understand the role of overheating. Overheating is one of the most common causes of battery drain during charging.

What is Reverse Charging?

Reverse charging can be observed in two scenarios:

  • First Scenario: Reverse charging is a feature that allows you to use your phone to charge other devices (such as another smartphone, smartwatch, or smart band) via a USB cable.
  • Second Scenario: When your mobile phone is plugged in, but the battery percentage continuously decreases instead of increasing, this is known as reverse charging.

In this guide, we’ll cover all aspects related to the second scenario, i.e., why your phone is charging backward or in reverse. You might also refer to it as the “discharging of the phone” in this context.

Causes of Why My Phone is Charging Backwards on Android

Causes of Why My Phone is Charging Backwards

Here are some possible reasons why your phone might be charging backwards:

  1. Faulty Charger: Your charger might be damaged or defective.
  2. Broken Charging Port: The charging port on your phone might be broken or malfunctioning.
  3. Using Your Phone While Charging: When you use your phone while it is plugged in, it might charge backwards.
  4. Incorrect Charger: Using a charger that is not compatible with your phone.
  5. Current Level: The manner in which your phone charges is also affected by the electrical current level.
  6. Worn-out USB Cable: It’s possible that your USB cable is no longer compatible with your phone and needs to be replaced.
  7. Loose Connection: Your charger might be connected to an AC outlet or a USB port on your computer that doesn’t supply enough power.
  8. Dirty or Damaged USB Connector: Your phone’s USB connector might be unclean or damaged.

Does Reverse Charging and Backward Charging Mean the Same Thing?

No, both are different technically. Reverse charging is a feature available in many modern smartphones that allows them to charge other devices via a cable. On the other hand, backward charging is an issue that users face where the phone battery drains rapidly even when connected to a charger.

Does Reverse Charging Shorten the Life of a Battery?

No, reverse charging will not significantly harm your battery. The power output is always within your device’s capability, which means reverse charging alone won’t drain your battery.

Is It Possible to Charge Your Phone in Reverse?

Only some of the latest phones support the feature of reverse wireless charging, and even then, it has limited capacity.

However, many users experience frustration due to the backward charging issue, which contradicts the intended functionality of charging the device.

Now, Let’s Take a Look at the iPhone Backward Charging Issue

Here are some reasons why your iPhone might be charging backward:

  1. Malfunctioning Charging Port: The charging port might be damaged or malfunctioning.
  2. Broken Charger: iPhones require a special charger designed just for them (MFi-certified). If you use a charger other than an MFi-certified one, it may cause your phone to charge backward.
  3. Using Demanding Apps While Charging: Running resource-intensive apps while charging can deplete battery life and cause your iPhone to charge backward.
  4. Poor Electrical Current: The electrical current supply might be insufficient, affecting your phone’s ability to charge properly.
  5. Defective or Chemically Aged Battery: A defective or aged battery can cause backward charging issues.

You should pay attention to these points to avoid phone backward charging.

Important Note:

Please do not attempt to fix your phone yourself without sufficient knowledge. We strongly recommend that you visit a mobile repair center to avoid any potential damage.

How to Fix the Backward Phone Charging Problem?

If the Phone Charging Backwards problem has persisted for a long time, try these simple procedures:

  • Clean the USB Cable and Port
  • Drain the Battery Completely
  • Replace the Charger
  • Replace the Phone Battery

Clean the USB Cable and Port

Dirt can accumulate in the charging port, causing your phone to charge incorrectly. Dust in the USB port can damage the electrical connection. Once the connection is lost, the battery receives no power and continues to charge backward even when the phone is plugged in.

Drain the Battery Completely

Stop charging the phone, use it until the battery reaches 0%, and then leave it off for more than 12 hours. Afterward, charge your phone again until it reaches 100%. This might solve your phone’s backward charging issue.

Replace the Charger

Sometimes, old chargers can develop internal wire damage, especially if the cable has been stretched or broken. This increases the cable’s resistance, limiting the amount of power it can carry. Try using a different charger to see if the charging improves.

Replace the Phone Battery

If none of the above solutions work to solve the “why is my phone charging backwards” issue, you might need to replace the phone battery with a new one. However, do not attempt this yourself unless you have professional mobile repair knowledge.

Hopefully, these simple tricks will help you resolve the backward charging issue.

Check Out the Below User-Generated Queries, Which May Guide You Better

Why is My Phone Charging But Going Down?

When you use your phone while it is plugged in, it might charge backwards. The way your phone charges is also affected by the electrical current supply level. Ensure you are using only a compatible charger.

Why is My Phone Battery Percentage Going Down While Charging on an Android Smartphone?

Check for defects in the cable. If the cable is plugged in properly but there is no power supply to the phone’s battery, the cable might be damaged or the USB port may have a major fault.