Users are looking for alternative ways to power their iPhones following Apple’s decision to exclude power adapters from the purchase. If you want fast charging, you can buy a 20W adapter, which will translate to additional costs. Suppose you have a MacBook, you may question whether the high voltage 61W and 96W adapters are safe for use on your iPhone.
So, can you use a 61W charger for your iPhone? You can use the 61W and 96W Apple adapters to power your iPhone. The Lithium-ion battery’s design has a set maximum on how much charge it can take, and it never exceeds the 29W mark, regardless of the adapter you use. Therefore, even a 61W version will only provide less than 30W for the iPhone, as the system internally dictates how much wattage it needs. Therefore, using it will not cause overheating or damage to the battery.
Any user knows that high-quality Apple products don’t come cheap, and it will be handy to reuse other devices’ accessories instead of buying new ones. Apple manufactures adapters with various wattages for specific devices, with the iPhone being the least power-hungry.
The more power-intensive the gadget is the more wattage it needs, and vice versa. If you don’t have your phone’s charger and you want to use the 61W option from your iPad or Mac, the things that come to mind are the dangers of overheating and battery damage.
You can use a 61W charger for your iPhone or any other high-power alternative. The device has a maximum limit and regulates itself to never go past that level to stay safe. Therefore, even when the charger’s capacity is 61W or more, the iPhone will charge to a maximum of 20 to 29W, making all Apple adapters safe to use as long as they are compatible. You don’t have to worry about the phone drawing more charge than it can manage, and there is no risk of explosion, overheating, or system damage.
Previously, Apple shipped the 18W adapters with the new phones, but with the debut of the iPhone 12s, the company decided to exclude the charger from the box. It was an eco-friendlier move to reduce the number of cables a user could have and significantly helped minimize shipping costs and increase the revenue due to separate purchases. Luckily, Apple designs its accessories for multiple uses, and your phone and iPad can share the same charger.
You are free to buy an extra 20W adapter if you want fast charging, but this will cost you extra. It would be cheaper to use adapters from other Apple products instead to avoid additional spending.
The only problem is that some options have excessive wattage, way above the minimum recommended fast charging 20W capacity. If you have a special 61W adapter for your iPad or MacBook and want to plug it into your phone, you will be glad to know that it is safe.
You can always use your tablet or laptop’s adapter through the USB-Lightning cable and power your phone and other iDevices through the wall outlet. Apple recommends 20W for the iPhone’s fast charging, and the 61W surpasses this level.
It may seem risky given the massive difference, but Apple’s tech ensures that using the cable doesn’t harm your device. Regardless of how much voltage the charger provides, your phone will only use up its maximum amount, around 29W.
Therefore, you don’t have to worry that the excessive power will overwhelm the tiny gadget and cause component issues. It will never draw unnecessary power to an amount that is more than it can manage.
The device usually dictates what it can receive, not the adapter. Note that the 61W option cannot power the iPhone faster than the 29W because Apple has capped how much the system can take. The good news is that you don’t have to buy a new charger if you have a Mac.
Its 30W-96W capability is safe for use on the phone. However, remember to only use Apple accessories or certified third-party options if you don’t want to buy a new phone charger. Otherwise, you risk damaging the charging system.
Fortunately, if you have the 61W adapter, it will be compatible with most Apple devices. It can power the iPad Pro, 3rd generation and newer iPad Air, 5th generation and better iPad Mini, and the iPhone 8 and later releases.
Can an iPhone Charger Use 96W?
Thanks to fast-charging technologies, newer iPhones are compatible with adapters higher than the standard 5W. According to the phone’s battery size, it is typical to use a lower wattage than other iDevices like laptops. If you are a curious user, you must have thought about the chances of using the highest charger rating for your iPhone.
An iPhone charger can safely use a 96W power adapter. If you own an iPhone 8 or 8 Plus and better versions, you can use the MacBook’s powerful USB-C charger. It may seem risky for a smaller gadget like the iPhone but Apple guarantees that there is no harm. The internal circuit system will communicate with the battery to consume only the necessary power. Unlike lower wattage chargers, the 96W adapter will power up your iDevice rapidly like the 20W fast-charger.
The iPhone experience you get from using a fast charger like a 96W is impressive. Your phone can be at 50% within a short time, a fete that an ordinary charger cannot accomplish. Therefore, if you can find such a robust adapter, it will be a game-changer for you. Luckily, this adapter is commonly used for the MacBook, meaning that you may already have it. The USB-C adapter is also versatile, able to power your laptop, iPad, and iPhone.
It saves you the cost of buying independent versions for each gadget. There are several perks to using the 96W USB-C power. First, it is multipurpose, allowing usage across other Apple gadgets, and you don’t have to carry several adapters when traveling. It will serve you at home, work, or on the go, and you will appreciate that there will be no hassle of having a bag with multiple chargers.
You are safe provided that your Apple device accepts a USB-C cable but remember that the adapter is a separate purchase, hence it is upon you to buy the accompanying lines from trusted outlets.
Additionally, the 96W can charge your iPhone faster than usual. You will notice that your phone can power up to over 50% in about thirty minutes. Fast-charging comes in handy when traveling and needing the device to charge within the shortest time.
Therefore, your iDevice should be complete in no time and guarantee that you stay connected with your loved ones. There are other Apple adapters with lower wattages, but they are equally capable of rapidly charging your iPhone the same way the 96W does. Despite the impressive attributes, there are some downsides to using this adapter, especially for your battery.
Although it comes with a higher wattage rating, the cell will only consume a considerable amount that the iPhone can handle. The system will then disperse the extra power as heat. Apple designs the device to handle overheating well, but temperature increases can slightly impact your battery life in the long run. Luckily, the degeneration is minimal, and you won’t immediately see the effects.
If you frequently leave the higher wattage charger plugged in, your battery may heat up and reduce the cell’s lifespan. In most instances, immediately after your iPhone’s battery starts failing, you might be thinking about a replacement. However, it is not the best decision if you have an older device that will soon stop receiving support from Apple. Many find it unnecessary to replace the battery on a gadget that they won’t enjoy using.
Li-ion cells have charge and discharge cycles that, once depleted, may become ineffective. Therefore, excessive heat and frequent charging and draining are the primary causes of your battery degrading due to regularly using a highly powered adapter. Using a 96W with your iPhone is relatively straightforward. First, get the adapter from your MacBook laptop or purchase it from a trusted retailer.
If you already have the charger, check whether the cable is compatible with your phone. Otherwise, you will need a new wire to link the charger to your phone. Next, plug the connected adapter into a wall outlet and insert the other end into your phone’s charging port. Once you have enough power, the battery icon on your phone should appear green.
Is It Okay To Use a MacBook Charger for the iPhone?
iPhones and MacBooks have their respective charging adapters with different power ratings. If you own the two gadgets, you may forget the phone charger at home and want to use your laptop’s adapter instead. If there is no other option and you don’t want your phone battery to die, you should first confirm if it is safe.
It is okay to use your MacBook charger for your newer model iPhone. The device’s battery can only consume its maximum wattage regardless of how many watts are available in the adapter, while the surplus power dispenses as heat. Your phone can comfortably share a USB-C charger with laptops such as MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, whose wattage ranges from 30W. However, not all phones can function with the adapter, only the iPhone 8 and later versions.
Generally, a MacBook charger appears too powerful to charge a tiny iPhone because the laptop’s wattage is higher than the standard 5W-20W charger. However, thanks to the technology in the handset’s battery, the circuit can power the iDevice at its maximum wattage and never take in more than it can handle. It leaves any excessive charge to disperse as heat, but since the MacBook adapter is fast charging, your iPhone should be powered entirely before the temperatures start rising.
When Apple stopped including the charger in the purchase, many users had to find alternative ways to power up without buying a separate adapter. You may also not have the dedicated iPhone charger, compelling you to use your laptop’s adapter.
The newer iPhone 12s ship without chargers, unlike their predecessors, that came with an 18W USB-C adapter. Therefore, to save on the extra cost of buying a new one, you can opt for your MacBook’s 30W or 61W chargers to power up your iPhone. However, if you find it tasking to use one adapter for both devices, it would be ideal to purchase an extra 20W adapter at around $20.
Another reason why you would want to use a MacBook charger is if your iPhone adapter is faulty. Therefore, in the meantime, you can utilize the available charger before you buy the dedicated option as long as your phone can stay on, and you remain connected.
Moreover, if you often travel and the MacBook’s adapter is the only available option, you may have to use it as an alternative. Ultimately, it assures that you can swap adapters with your MacBook, and nothing will happen to your iPhone or its charging system. Since you can fast-charge and power an iPhone using a high-wattage adapter, some users are stuck in the opposite situation, wondering whether they can use their 20W iPhone chargers for their MacBooks.
Thankfully, the laptop can also power using your iPhone’s charger. However, given the lower wattage on the phone’s adapter, the PC may take a while to charge fully. If you plug it in and use it simultaneously, it may start discharging instead. For such reasons, most users would rather plug the Macs into the high-wattage adapters that they usually handle. The dedicated options provide the laptop with the necessary power and power it faster.
Also, note that various iPhones have different charging ports. Some use Lightning cables while others accept USB-C wires; therefore, you are safe if both your iDevices use a USB-C line. However, for an iPhone using a USB-C to the Lightning wire, you may need to find a new cable for the handset. Generally, MacBooks charge either through a USB-C to USB-C cable or USB-C to Magsafe. Therefore, it is advisable to get your charging cables right before you interchange the adapters.
Summary
Thanks to tech advancements in the Lithium-ion battery’s performance, it is safe to use your MacBook charger on your iPhone. The system has a standard maximum level that it can power up to and maintain regardless of the charger’s wattage. Therefore, you can use the 61W or 96W adapters without affecting your iPhone battery or the charging circuitry.
The phone will take up around 29W from any high-wattage adapter, allowing you to use your MacBook charger. It saves the cost of buying a new one since Apple doesn’t include it in the purchase, and it is more convenient because you don’t have to carry several adapters for each iDevice. Luckily, it is multipurpose and can work for your iPad beside your phone and laptop.
