Apple users are loyal to the brand and will rarely use other brands. Hence, getting a user with an iPad for casual use and MacBook for computing needs is a common occurrence. Therefore, as a new user, you may wonder if one can interchange the chargers.
So, will an iPad charger work on a MacBook? While both the iPad charger and MacBook charger have similar USB-C connectors, it is generally not recommended to use an iPad charger on a MacBook. The main reason for this is that the power output of an iPad charger is much lower compared to a MacBook charger.
iPad chargers typically output 12 watts or 18 watts, while MacBook chargers output 30 watts, 61 watts, or 96 watts depending on the model. Using an iPad charger on a MacBook may cause the MacBook to charge slowly or not charge at all, and it may also damage the charger or MacBook.
Furthermore, it is important to note that using a third-party charger, even if it has a USB-C connector, may not provide the same level of performance and safety as an original Apple charger. It is always best to use the charger that came with your MacBook to ensure the best performance and safety.
Understanding how charging works in Apple devices and what to expect when you try to charge your MacBook using your iPad charger is vital. Apple devices require good budgeting, given their high prices that match their quality. As such, replacing a stolen, lost, or worn out battery after a few months can stretch your budget. Therefore, you need to know whether an iPad Charger can damage a MacBook’s battery.
You can charge your MacBook using an iPad charger. However, it will take longer for your MacBook to get a full charge, given the differences in wattage. The MacBook is a bigger device, and its adapter has high wattage to supply adequate power for the battery to charge within the shortest time.
On the other hand, an iPad’s charger features low wattage and using it on your MacBook will slow the charging process, requiring you to leave your device overnight, depending on the model. While this sounds risky, it will not hurt your phone in the short term but offer a relatively affordable way to charge your phone if your MacBook charger stops functioning.
iPad chargers work well on MacBook, given their compatibility since they are all Apple devices. Physically, the difference between your MacBook and iPad cables is in the length. This means that you can plug your iPad charger into your MacBook, and it will charge.
However, you should consider the practicality of this option. Some Apple users report that MacBook charges 1% for every 20 minutes or so, which means it may take almost 2000 minutes to fully charge your MacBook.
The differences in wattage can explain the extended charging duration. An iPad Pro charger has a wattage of 18 watts, while the MacBook requires an adapter with up to 61 watts. This huge wattage difference can, to some extent, prove that carrying an extra charger for your MacBook is worth it. However, you can use an iPad charger on your MacBook in cases where you do not have an alternative, but this is certainly not an option you should consider regularly.
While the above charging option is feasible, Apple has not given an official statement on this issue, limiting our full recommendation. However, I find this a safer alternative to charging your MacBook since Apple products will draw only what they need. On the other hand, you should avoid using other non-Apple adapters with your Apple devices, as they can easily cause irreversible damage.
Apple does not also explore the wear and tear issue that may result from charging your device over long hours. Since you do not want to void your warranty, consider extra space in your travel bag for your dedicated MacBook adapter. It is better to use the official Apple chargers to protect your device.
Can You Use an iPad charger for MacBook Pro?
If you own multiple Apple devices, you probably have an iPad charger and you may wonder if you can charge it with your MacBook pro. However, given the budget implications with Apple devices, you may be worried about damaging your device. In this section, I will eliminate all your worries by helping you understand whether you can use an iPad charger for your MacBook Pro.
While an iPad charger may be able to charge a MacBook Pro, it is generally not recommended to use it as the power output of an iPad charger is much lower than that of a MacBook Pro charger.
iPad chargers typically output 12 watts or 18 watts, while MacBook Pro chargers output 61 watts, 87 watts or 96 watts depending on the model. Using an iPad charger on a MacBook Pro may cause the MacBook Pro to charge very slowly, or not charge at all, which may not be practical for most users.
Furthermore, using a third-party charger, even if it has a USB-C connector, may not provide the same level of performance and safety as an original Apple charger. It is always best to use the charger that came with your MacBook Pro to ensure the best performance and safety.
While you could charge your MacBook with an iPad charger, you should note that not all iPad chargers could do the job. For instance, a 10 watt iPad charger will not charge your device as MacBook Pro relies on USB power supplies supporting the USB-PD or USB Power Delivery in addition to its voltage and current supplies.
In most cases, USB bricks under 18 watts do not support USB-PD, disqualifying some iPad chargers. Having a USB-PD supporting charger is vital as lack of this will only slow the battery discharge but not add to the supply.
When charging your MacBook Pro, you should ensure you use the correct port, whether your device is new or old. Look for the charging port at the right side of your laptop. If using an older version of the MacBook Pro, look for a square-shaped port.
Your charging cable will snap into this port when you connect your device for charging. If you are using a new MacBook Pro version, plug your USB-C charger into any of the ports. The ideal ports are the ones on the right side.
While you can charge your MacBook Pro with an iPad charger, you should check that the charger you use is a USB-C. As such, you should avoid non-apple chargers. iPads and Android devices use USB-C chargers, but it will take longer to charge your iPad using an iPad USB-C charger, given the wattage differences. Once you identify the charger to use, plug it into your MacBook Pro on one end and the other into your power socket to start charging.
A MacBook features several ports and knowing which one to use is vital. The older MacBook Pros feature a magnetic charging cable, while the newer ones use the USB-C port for charging. If you are using a modern MacBook Pro, you should avoid charging through the left-hand side, as these can cause issues, according to some recent research.
For instance, your laptop temperatures may spike due to this charging, causing overheating and an eventual crash. However, this is a rare case, but it is worth being aware of the issue.
The duration it will take to charge your MacBook Pro using an iPad charger will also vary depending on the MacBook Pro model you own and how depleted the battery is before you plug it into power. Newer MacBook Pro chargers feature fast chargers and go from low battery to full functionality within minutes. To estimate how long it will take before your battery is full, navigate the menu bar and click the battery icon.
While your iPad charger will charge your MacBook Pro, the charging speed will be lower, as I have earlier stated. At times, this speed may worsen in case of a faulty battery, in which case, you should consider a replacement.
If your battery is the problem, you should confirm its cover in your warranty before spending money on a new one. If your device is no longer under warranty, you will have to incur the cost. You will pay about 129 USD for a thirteen or 15-inch MacBook Pro battery and 199 USD for the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Can an iPad Charger Charge a MacBook Air?
Unfortunately, just like any other portable electrical accessory, your MacBook Air’s charger can break or get lost, requiring replacement. Like any other Apple accessories, these chargers are costly; therefore, if you have a compatible charger lying around, you may consider it as an option. In this section, I will clarify whether you can charge your MacBook Air using an iPad charger.
While an iPad charger may be able to charge a MacBook Air, it is not recommended to use it on a regular basis as the power output of an iPad charger is much lower than that of a MacBook Air charger.
You could charge your MacBook Air using an iPad charger. However, given the differences in wattage, your MacBook Air will charge at a slower pace. Charging it while in sleep mode is advisable to improve the speed. Also, given the significantly lower charging speed, it is not advisable to stick to this option in the long run.
There is the likelihood that your MacBook’s battery may wear out faster with this practice, though Apple is yet to issue an official statement about this. Even then, this risk is not worth taking, given the potential cost implications in the long run.
While using your iPad charger to charge your MacBook Air, you will employ a similar principle to the MacBook Pro. Depending on your MacBook Air’s version, the casing will include a USB-C charge cable and a 30W USB-C power adapter.
This is compared to the lower wattage in the iPad. While a higher wattage implies more power supply to your Mac, this is not the case with Apple devices. A higher wattage charger does not necessarily mean a faster charger.
Equally, you should not worry that using a lower wattage charger with your device will damage it since Apple makes its chargers generally safe across its devices. However, you should be careful when picking a charger for your MacBook Pro, noting that a charger below its level requirements may not charge your device.
Your iPad charger will also charge your MacBook Air, given that it is a USB Type-c charger. However, this may vary depending on the MacBook version you are using. If your Mac is compatible with your iPad charger, plug the cable into the MacBook and connect to a power outlet to charge.
This traditional charging option will characterize slower speed since the charger is limited in its output power. As such, it will not supply a high electric current enough to charge your device faster. Therefore, expect a slower charging speed when using your iPad charger on your MacBook Air. This means that you will leave your device connected to power for longer hours. As such, this method is not advisable as your device can overheat and sustain damages in the long run.
To ensure the best battery health and maximum durability, stick to your device’s chargers. Also, when charging your MacBook Air, you can adjust the battery settings in the system preferences to ensure maximum durability.
Some of the settings you can consider include dimming the display while you charge your MacBook Air to save energy. You can also include your battery status in the menu to view your battery information.
The optimized battery charging will help reduce wear on your battery and improve its lifespan as you learn your device’s charging routine. Using the low power mode to reduce energy usage and increase the battery life when you are away from your home or power source for extended periods will also prove effective.
Like in MacBook Pro, using your iPad charger should be a temporary fix if you want to prolong your battery life. Hence, you should buy an official MacBook charger in the long run lest your battery’s health deteriorates over time.
You will know it is time to replace your charger when the old one fails, or the current one starts working slower than usual. When buying a new charger, you should avoid unauthorized dealers, given the existence of counterfeit goods that can damage your device. You should visit your local Apple store if you want to replace your charger or order online from apple.com.
Summary
Apple designs its accessories to ensure usage interchangeably. As such, you should not worry about buying an Apple charger for your device if you have an idle charger should the current one spoil or get lost.
However when using your iPad charger on your MacBook, you should consider the wattage differences. An iPad is a smaller device featuring a low wattage adapter than the MacBook and using its charger on your MacBook will require more charging time.
MacBook Pro and MacBook Air will exhibit similar results with the charging durations extending due to wattage differences. Hence, while these charger cable differences resemble each other, using them interchangeably may not be a good idea in the long run. Therefore, your low wattage iPad charger should be a temporary solution if you want to preserve your battery life.
