Apple patents wireless charging that talks to accessories
Apple describes a system where a phone or tablet uses a magnetic connector to align with an accessory, such as a case or dock. The device uses near-field communication to identify the accessory type before deciding whether to send or receive power.
In the filing’s own words
A wireless power system may include an accessory configured to transfer or relay wireless power to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may include wireless charging circuitry and sensors configured to detect compatible accessories currently coupled with the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device performs wireless charging or related functions in accordance with the coupled accessories.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An electronic device operable with an accessory, the electronic device comprising: a wireless charging coil; near-field communications circuitry having a near-field communications antenna, wherein the near-field communications circuitry is configured to receive information indicating a device type of the accessory; a magnetic alignment structure configured to align the near-field communications antenna with a corresponding near-field communications antenna in the accessory and to align the wireless charging coil with a corresponding wireless charging coil in the accessory when the magnetic alignment structure is magnetically coupled to the accessory; and control circuitry configured to determine whether to transmit wireless power using the wireless charging coil of the electronic device or receive wireless power using the wireless charging coil of the electronic device based on the device type of the accessory.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Wireless Power System with Communications
- Publication number
- US20260269659A1
- Application number
- 19665666
- Filed
- May 1, 2026
- Published
- Sep 10, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H02J 50/90 Electricity & electronicsG06K 7/10297 Physics & computingG06K 19/0723 Physics & computingH01Q 7/00 Electricity & electronicsH02J 7/02 Electricity & electronicsH02J 7/47 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Batteries & energy
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.