Can I Charge My Power Bank While Charging My Phone?

You’ve got one plug, a half-dead phone, and a nearly flat power bank. The question: Can I charge my power bank while charging my phone? Or is that just asking for trouble?

Whether you’re travelling or just low on sockets, charging both at once sounds like a smart little hack. And in some cases—it is. It’s called “pass-through charging,” and many newer power banks support it. But here’s the catch: not all of them do, and not all of them do it safely.

In this guide, we’ll break down what pass-through charging actually is, how it affects your devices, and how to use it without frying your gear.

alt: Charge power bank while charging phone

Can I Charge My Power Bank While Charging My Phone?

In short: yes, but only if your power bank is designed for it. This is known as pass-through charging, and while it sounds like a handy feature, not every power bank supports it. Look for language such as “pass-through,” “power path,” or “charging while recharging” in the spec sheet.

Power banks that support pass-through charging are built with special controller chips that manage power flow. These chips let the current from the wall bypass the battery and go straight to your phone while also charging the bank itself. It’s a smart design that avoids issues like reverse current and overheating.

If your power bank doesn’t explicitly offer this feature, plugging both in at once means the battery is trying to charge and discharge at the same time. That puts stress on the internal components, generates excess heat, and slows everything down.

To avoid these issues, many power banks are designed to disable one function when the other is active. In other words, when you plug the power bank into a charger, it may automatically turn off the output ports to stop you from charging your phone at the same time.

In some cases, the reverse happens—plugging a device into the output port shuts off the charging input. This is intentional, and it’s there to protect the battery from being overworked.

How Does It Affect the Power Bank?

So, if pass-through charging can work, what’s the catch? Here are the downsides when you charge power bank while using it:

Slower charging

With pass-through, your power bank is splitting input power between itself and your phone. That means both charge more slowly than if they were charging separately.

Added heat and strain

The extra current draw generates heat inside the power bank. And as everyone knows, heat is the enemy of lithium-ion batteries—it speeds up wear and, in extreme cases, can degrade safety.

Shorter battery lifespan

Using pass-through regularly means more heat stress and harder duty for the battery cells—and that means faster chemical ageing. In other words, your power bank may die several months sooner.

Best Practices to Use Your Power Bank Properly

If you want your power bank to stay reliable, safe, and efficient over time, a few smart habits go a long way. Here's how to get the most out of it—without shortening its lifespan.

Use pass-through occasionally and safely

Even if your power bank supports pass-through charging, don’t make it your default routine. Save it for situations where it’s genuinely needed—like when you’re short on outlets or travelling light.

It’s also worth investing in trusted power banks that advertise fully managed pass-through and handle the feature gracefully when you really need it, like these models from Anker:

The 25,000 mAh Anker Laptop Power Bank sits behind three 100W USB-C ports plus one 33W USB-A, delivering up to 165W total—enough to push a 16” MacBook Pro to 50% in about 33 minutes and still juice smaller kit.

Pass-through is enabled when you pair the bank with a USB-C PD charger with enough wattage, and ActiveShield 2.0 checks temperature roughly three million times a day to prevent overheating.

Two built-in USB-C cables—one lanyard-style, one retractable—tidy your bag, and a high-resolution display shows real-time input/output. Top it back up in less than two hours with a 100W wall adapter, and you’re set for long-haul work sessions without battery anxiety.

alt: Anker Laptop Power Bank 165W

Love the snap-on wireless convenience of MagSafe? The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) pairs Qi2-certified 15W magnetic wireless charging with a 27W bi-directional USB-C port, so you can stick your iPhone on the pad while the bank itself refuels—Anker labels the mode “Charge While Recharging”.

A fold-out stand props the screen for streaming, and a smart display counts down remaining battery and recharge ETA. Despite weighing just 250 g and measuring under 20 mm thick, the USB-C port can push an iPhone 15 to roughly 60% in 30 minutes when speed matters. ActiveShield monitors temps continuously, so you can lean on pass-through for that last-outlet scramble without cooking the cells.

alt: Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K

Use quality chargers and cables

Match your power bank with a USB-C PD wall charger that can deliver its rated input wattage or higher. A weak or generic charger slows everything down and generates unnecessary heat. Stick to certified cables—especially USB-IF-compliant ones—to ensure safe, consistent charging.

Keep it cool

Excess heat is the fastest way to wear out lithium-ion cells. Always charge your power bank on a hard, ventilated surface. Don’t charge it under your pillow, in bed, or with your phone stacked on top. If the case feels hot to the touch, unplug it and let it cool.

Avoid full discharges and overcharging

Unlike old-school batteries, lithium-ion cells don’t like being run flat all the time. Topping up your power bank between around 20% and 80% keeps the battery within a healthy voltage range. You can give it a full recharge every now and then, but don’t leave it plugged in overnight.

Store it wisely

If you’re not using your power bank regularly, don’t leave it fully drained for long periods. Store it somewhere cool and dry, with about 50% charge. Top it up every couple of months to keep the cells in good shape.

Conclusion

Now, you know the answer to “can I charge my power bank while charging my phone?” is yes, if it explicitly lists “pass-through charging” in its features. This can be super handy every now and then—say, when you’re stuck with one outlet at an airport or hotel. But it comes with a few trade-offs: slower speeds, extra heat, and possible battery wear.

If you’re going to use pass-through charging, go with trusted brands—like Anker—that include smart chips and strong safety features. And try not to rely on it all the time. Use high-quality cables and chargers, follow good charging habits, and your gear will stay in great shape!

FAQs

Is it okay to use phone while charging on power bank?

Yes, you can use your phone while it’s charging from a power bank, but it’s best to do so sparingly. Using your phone during charging increases power draw and heat, which can slow down charging and put extra stress on both your phone and the power bank. If you’re streaming video, gaming, or using GPS, your phone may heat up more than usual, which isn’t ideal for battery health.

What should you not do with a power bank?

To keep your power bank safe and long-lasting, avoid overcharging it or letting it fully drain repeatedly. Don’t expose it to extreme heat or cold, and never leave it under pillows, in direct sunlight, or near flammable materials while charging. Avoid using damaged cables or charging the power bank in damp environments. If you notice swelling, overheating, or leakage, stop using it immediately and dispose of it properly at a designated electronics recycling point.

What are the disadvantages of using a power bank to charge a phone?

While power banks are convenient, they do have some drawbacks. Cheaper models may lack proper voltage regulation, which can risk overcharging or overheating your phone. High-capacity power banks can be bulky and take a long time to recharge. To minimise risks, choose a reputable brand with safety features like overcharge and temperature protection, like Anker.

Do power banks damage your phone battery?

Not if you’re using a quality power bank. Well-made power banks, like those from Anker, are designed to deliver safe, regulated power and include protections against overcharging, overheating, and short circuits. However, low-quality or counterfeit models may output unstable voltage, which can harm your phone’s battery over time.