• Battery
  • Charging

Can you charge a MacBook with an iPhone or phone charger?

Whether a USB-C phone charger can charge a MacBook, how slow it is, and when it will not keep up with the Mac in use.

4 min read

Can I charge my MacBook with an iPhone charger?

Yes, with a USB-C to USB-C cable. The Mac negotiates a lower power level and charges slowly; nothing is damaged.

How long does it take to charge a MacBook with a phone charger?

Several times longer than the original adapter, and with the Mac in use it may only slow the drain. Charging while the Mac sleeps is where a phone charger helps most.

How do I check what the Mac is getting?

pmset -g adapter

A 20 W phone charger shows as 20 W or less; compare it with the wattage a MacBook needs.

Common questions

Is it safe to charge a MacBook with a phone charger?

Yes. USB-C negotiates a safe power level; it is only slower.

Will a 20W charger charge a MacBook Pro?

Very slowly, and not while it is busy. The larger MacBook Pro models need their higher watt adapters to charge at normal speed.

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