Apple users are very loyal, and it is common to find one with multiple Apple devices and chargers. With each of these adapters lying idle in your home, you may wonder whether it is possible to charge your MacBook with an iPad charger.
So, can you charge your MacBook with an iPad Charger? You can use an iPad charger to charge your MacBook, but the charging speed will be slightly lower given the differences in the devices. This means that you will plug your MacBook in longer for charging. For this reason, it is inadvisable to charge your MacBook with an iPad charger as it could shorten the battery life in the long run.
Apple designs its products to allow interchangeable use of chargers and other accessories. Some of its recent iPhones do not even come with chargers, necessitating the use of older chargers at home.
MacBooks and iPads feature higher power requirements than other Apple devices, with the MacBook being more powerful. With these differences, the MacBook adapter features a higher wattage to meet the power demands.
In an effort to increase shipment and reduce waste, Apple allows interchangeable use of chargers, and knowing whether you can charge your MacBook with an iPad charger is necessary.
It is possible to charge your MacBook with an iPad charger. This is because both chargers feature a USB PD power supply. However, the charging process will be significantly slower given the wattage differences.
If you have to consider this switch, you should do this occasionally rather than daily since plugging your battery to charge for longer hours will reduce its lifespan in the long run.
As stated earlier, MacBook and iPad chargers are compatible, with the difference being the length of the charging cables. The wattages of these chargers also feature huge differences. For instance, an iPad Pro features 18-watts while the MacBook Pro features 61-watts.
This difference in wattage also discourages users from switching their chargers regularly, but if you have to charge your MacBook with an iPad charger, all you will do is connect the MacBook to the iPad charger.
Your adapter wattage will determine the devices you can charge and the speed. A 10w iPad charger cannot charge your MacBook Pro as your Mac will intake power from USB Power Delivery. Generally, USB power bricks below 18 watts do not support USB PD.
Therefore, such will slow down the discharge from your Mac laptop but will not add power to the battery. A 12-watt USB power brick will display system information as supplying power, but this is also not the case. With this slow intake, you will not use your MacBook for heavy tasks while charging but stick to web surfing and other light tasks.
With Apple adapters, you need not worry about damaging your battery from a higher wattage adapter as Apple’s battery design is such that they intake power at a specific rate depending on the model.
Apple is yet to issue a statement on interchanging chargers between devices, and as such, I cannot advise you to switch to this method fully. While Apple devices can draw as much power as they need, you should consider the risks with such changes.
Some users report charging at 1/5 of the normal speed, while others state that they charge their device at 1% every 20 minutes. This speed is way too slow, and it may just be safe to carry an extra charge.
Also, to note is that this slow charge will speed up your battery wear and tear, but this effect is yet to be explored fully. While the charging cables are the same, Apple will want to know whether you charged your MacBook using other means, which could void your warranty.
Lastly, if portability is the main issue behind using your iPad charger for MacBook, you should consider a new case. You will be better off using the recommended charger than voiding your warranty, and what’s better than investing in a suitable casing.
How Do I Charge My MacBook with My iPad?
According to online users, if you have two iPads, you can connect them using a USB C cable, and one will draw power from the other. To change the direction of power flow, you can unplug the USB C cable and then reconnect. If you do not have your adapters, you may want to consider this method, and I will help you know if it can work with your MacBook and iPad.
You can charge your MacBook with your iPad by connecting the two using a USB C cable. However, it is unclear whether actual charging will occur, given the differences in battery power. A MacBook is a bigger device than an iPad and may not draw power from your iPad battery after connecting the two devices.
On the other hand, connecting your MacBook to your iPad will cause your iPad to draw power from your Mac. This process requires you to understand the technical specs of your device’s USB ports. Fortunately, you can try a few hacks to ensure charging. For instance, try switching to a different USB and check for any differences.
Alternatively, you can change your Lightning cable as it could be preventing proper charging. Dirt on your charging ports could also hinder charging, in which case, you should clean the ports to remove dust and lint.
When cleaning your charging ports, turn off your iPad and gently pull out the lint to avoid damaging the pins in the connector. Lastly, depending on your iPad model, you can put the iPad in sleep mode and trickle-charge it over some time. The latter model may work for older models, but if you try all the above hacks in vain, consider alternative charging methods or buy a new charger.
If you are not in a position to invest in a MacBook charger after losing or forgetting it, you can try charging options, including the USB Type C, power bank, and USB converter. The feasibility of a USB C adapter depends on your MacBook model.
Newer MacBook models feature a USB port, and you can plug these chargers into your MacBook USB port and into a power outlet for charging. While this is the simplest charging option, it is the slowest.
A power bank will work with a MacBook with a Type C USB port like the USB. In this case, you require a power bank with a USB 3.0 port and a USB 3.0 to USB C converter cable. Connect your power bank to the MacBook using the cable, and it should start charging. When using the power bank, you should avoid using the power bank cable, as your MacBook will start charging your power bank.
The USB converter requires a PC and will only work if you have this access. Also, you need a USB 3.0 to USB C converter. With the converter cable, you can connect your MacBook to your PC and start charging.
Still, even if the above methods will work with your MacBook and iPad, it is advisable to charge your MacBook with an official Apple charger to avoid damaging your battery. Your battery damage includes shortened battery life and battery swelling. Over time, your USB 3.0 port can also loosen and affect charging.
Can You Charge a MacBook With a Phone Charger?
Whether you are using a phone or laptop, you need a charger to keep it working. Unfortunately, you can misplace or forget your laptop charger, forcing you to use other charging methods. Read on to find out whether it is possible to charge your MacBook with a phone charger.
You can charge your MacBook with a phone charger, but this will depend on your phone model. To charge your MacBook with a phone charger, ensure that your phone charger is USB Type-C. Most android phones come with a Type C charger, and their adapters can charge your MacBook.
Using your phone charger on a MacBook will slow down the charging process. Hence, as much as you can, stick to your MacBook charger and your phone charger only when it is inevitable. A slower charging rate means more charging time, affecting your battery lifespan in the long run.
When charging your MacBook with a phone charger, you will need a power outlet and a device transferring power to your MacBook. Understanding the difference between chargers is also necessary, as not all phone chargers will charge your MacBook.
Type-A connectors can transfer power from your laptop to a phone or other device but not vice versa since a laptop requires more power than a type-A connector can provide. On the other hand, Type C ports can charge your laptop as they transfer more power than Type-A. It is for this reason that you should ensure your MacBook and phone charger’s compatibility with Type C.
With the above set, charge your MacBook by connecting one end of the charger to the MacBook and the other to the power source. While charging your laptop this way is possible, it is not an efficient method as the laptop battery needs more power than a phone’s.
Comparably, a phone’s charger provides up to 12-watts while the slowest laptop chargers provide up to 60-watts. Hence, you should be patient if you choose this alternative, as charging will take longer than usual.
You should note that not all MacBook laptops will support a phone charger. If you are using an older MacBook version, it lacks the Type C port, and using a phone charger is impossible. Also, while some older laptop models might have a Type C port, they may not support this charging, and it would be better to invest in quality devices if you are to be flexible in your charging techniques.
Charging your MacBook with your phone charger is not advisable but can be a lifesaver if you do not have access to your laptop charger. In this case, you should check for overheating on the power source, especially if you charge for longer hours without protection. In case of overheating, disconnect your charger and wait until it cools down before plugging back.
You should also note that it may be impossible to work with your MacBook after connecting it to your phone charger. If you do this, you will notice a drop in battery power as you are charging. This is because the power intake is slower than the usage.
However, the drop will be significantly slower than when you are not charging the laptop. Hence, to charge your MacBook faster using your phone charger, turn it off and connect it to your phone charger.
Can My iPad Charger Charge My Laptop?
The USB-C is a game-changer for most electronics, as it allows the interchangeable use of chargers across devices. This connection allows charging and transfer of media between laptops and phones among other users. Read on to understand whether charging your laptop with an iPad charger is feasible.
Your iPad charger can charge your laptop. Since iPads feature a USB-C charger, charging will be possible. The iPad charger supports Power delivery and will allow you to charge your laptop via a USB-C connection. To confirm whether this charging is possible, check your laptop ports, and you will see a USB-C display on them in a small print.
Effective charging of your laptop via an iPad charger will start with purchasing a USB-C iPad charger. While doing this, ensure the voltage is correct since charging will occur at a prolonged rate if it is way lower. You can then plug your USB C charger into your laptop, and the power source and charging will start.
Wrap Up
Apple allows interchangeable use of chargers across its devices, including iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. While this is feasible, there are certain limitations, including the adapter type and voltage. Fortunately, both MacBooks and iPads use a Type C USB charger, making it possible to use a similar charger.
The MacBook features a higher voltage requirement and using an iPad charger will charge it at a slower rate. Hence, while this method is feasible, you should occasionally use it to avoid damaging your battery or voiding your warranty.
Finally, you can charge your laptop with an iPad charger as long as it supports power delivery. Like in the MacBook, the speed will be lower given the differences in wattages. Also, to note is that using your laptop while charging it with an iPad charger is possible but inadvisable as it will prolong the charging time, given that power intake will be slower than consumption.
