The Nintendo Switch and MacBook are the ultimate portable gadgets. They usually come with their charging systems, but as any curious user, you would wonder whether you can conveniently charge them using each other’s charging system.
So, can I charge Nintendo Switch with a MacBook charger? You can use the MacBook Pro charger for your Nintendo Switch since they use the same USB-C charging port system. You can also use the Switch’s charger for your laptop; however, given that they are different devices, there are concerns like excessive power and slow charging speeds.
Using the laptop cable for your tiny gadget risks “frying” the batteries and could be a slow process. It will also restrict you to the handheld mode if you play when the device is charging due to the slow speeds.
Technology has allowed different devices to share charging systems, making it convenient if you have that type of charger lying around. Therefore, I intend to find out whether the Nintendo Switch and the MacBook can use the same charging cord.
Fortunately, the MacBook Pro charger can charge your Nintendo Switch and the other way around. The two devices use USB-C cables when charging, making it easier for interchangeable use. Therefore, a MacBook charger is the best system to buy if you have the two devices, but you can only obtain one charger type.
The only downside is that the charge speed won’t be the same compared to the original Nintendo cord. Secondly, it is critical to use the original and high-quality brand, not just any USB-C type; otherwise, you may risk damaging your Nintendo Switch.
Suppose you want to buy a Nintendo Switch charger but already have a MacBook; you’ll be glad to know that your laptop’s charger will comfortably power up your gaming device. It will also come in handy if you traveled and forgot to carry it. You can also borrow a friend’s MacBook charger and still enjoy your gaming. Luckily, they both use the USB-C charger type, meaning that you can also use your Nintendo charger to power your laptop.
It saves you a lot of money and spares you the hassle of carrying an extra charger wherever you go. However, it is advisable only to use the original Apple charger in this case because the only excellent quality and specific USB-C MacBook chargers will do.
If you use any other brand, you may be putting your Nintendo Switch battery at risk of damage. It is also essential to be careful because not all devices work the same. Hence, there may be issues with extremely powerful or slow charging speeds depending on your device.
How To Charge a Nintendo Switch With a MacBook Charger
The Nintendo Switch is a top-class video gaming device that is very affordable, convenient to use, and comes with a USB-C port for your charging. Its cable also allows you to power any device with the same technology. Since the MacBook is one such gadget, I aim to learn how to use its charger for your gaming console.
The first aspect to consider is whether the MacBook charger agrees with the console’s USB type to charge your Nintendo Switch. For instance, MacBook Pro uses the USB-C tech, the same one for the Nintendo model. When you plug in a functioning charger from an Apple laptop into a Switch console, you will see a battery charging symbol on the left-hand edge.
You can also charge your Nintendo Switch by charging the MacBook using the charging adapter and then using the USB-C ports to connect the two devices.
Apple’s MacBook is bigger and possesses more power than a Nintendo Switch, making it quite tricky for its charger to power your small, handheld console. For instance, the new line MacBook laptops have around 60W while the Switch device follows closely at 40W.
Therefore, it is very convenient to use the laptop when fully charged to power your gaming device. Thanks to the USB-C technology on both the gadgets, it initiates a link to allow you to transfer power from the Apple device to the Nintendo Switch.
Furthermore, the MacBook charger can comfortably power your Nintendo Switch unless the charging dock becomes problematic. If there are no issues, you can always power your Switch using the MacBook cord just like you would when using its regular charger. The best part is, the two have the same USB type, and if you use the proper support cable, you can use either device to charge the other.
Can You Use a Laptop Charger for Switch?
Perhaps you travel and forget your Switch charger but have your laptop and its cable. You may wonder whether it is prudent or even functional to use your laptop’s charger to power your console. If you are in this dilemma, I will enlighten you on the facts you need.
You can only use a USB-C laptop charger to power your Nintendo gaming device. Unfortunately, other laptop cord types are incompatible; they may not fit the slot, and even if they do, they may not charge the device.
Personal computers such as the new generation MacBook and MacBook Pro have a default USB-C port that allows you to plug your Switch. Besides, most laptops currently entering the market come with USB-C laptop chargers that function well with other electronic devices.
You can only use a USB-C type laptop charger because the Nintendo Switch has the same technology; otherwise, any other cord type may not work. However, the good news is that you can use a USB with support at both ends to transfer the charge from your laptop to your gaming device. Thus, you can comfortably plug your laptop while charging it then connect it to the Switch for powering through the cable connection. You will then see a charging sign on the corner confirming the process.
Still, it is crucial to use the original cables because generic types can damage your gadget. The introduction of USB-C technology has made it possible to use one charger for your laptop and other devices like gaming consoles.
Apple and Microsoft are among the key manufacturers embracing this innovation, and, interestingly, laptops that support USB-C can also use the Nintendo Switch chargers. The process may be comparatively slow, especially when your laptop has higher wattage, but it will still power your Switch.
Can You Charge a Nintendo Switch With a Phone Charger?
One of the most admirable features of the Nintendo Switch is its small and lightweight design. It is almost the same size as most phones, begging whether it is prudent for the two devices to share their chargers.
You can use your phone charger on your Nintendo Switch if it has a compatible USB and an original brand. You can also charge your phone using the Nintendo charger provided that it meets the above conditions. However, experts don’t highly recommend it because it risks damaging your gaming device and has a slower charging process.
Unlike most phones, the Nintendo Switch has different components, meaning that most handset chargers don’t meet their charging potential. Therefore, it may lead to slow speeds and potential destruction of the hardware due to improper charger use.
It is very convenient to utilize your phone charger to power your Nintendo Switch. However, most people complain of the difference in charging speeds given the low power output of most phone chargers. Generally, the best charger types will work well as long as their power is at around 2A.
This is because a lower voltage will be too slow while a higher power may be risky. Also, phone cables’ wattages tend to be too low for TV mode use, and you would instead use your Switch for only charging and in only in handheld mode.
Besides, there are high chances that the battery will drain even faster if you play as you charge in most cases. Another challenge is that some owners use non-certified cables without the recommended resistors that can damage the Switch.
I recommend using the original Nintendo Switch adapter to be safe. However, if you must, you can utilize your phone’s charging system but avoid playing while it’s charging because it will strain your battery and drain it instead.
Is It Okay To Charge a Nintendo Switch With a MacBook Charger?
Given that the Nintendo Switch and the MacBook have the same USB-type C charging port, it is not unusual to wonder whether they can share the same charger. However, since they are two different devices, it is best to know about any risks involved.
Although the MacBook charger is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, there are still some downsides and concerns. For instance, the MacBook cable is usually of a higher voltage given its size and functionality; therefore, using it risks overheating your console’s battery.
Secondly, most users complain that the MacBook charger is relatively slow when charging the Nintendo; thus, they would instead use them for charging overnight. The speed is also not convenient for the Switch TV mode. Hence, most only prefer charging it first then using it for handheld mode in such instances.
Therefore, it is best to utilize devices alongside their intended accessories; this way, you are confident that you are not risking damages. However, there are some cases where you have to use the MacBook charger for the Nintendo Switch.
Luckily, both gadgets have the same charging systems, allowing you to use the laptop charger for the console. It may power enough to let you play when you need to, but some factors are to consider, especially since the two are of different sizes and require different charging potentials.
The MacBook charger has more power, meaning that plugging it into the small Nintendo Switch may be too overwhelming and damage the internal parts, particularly the battery. However, if your device can handle the high voltage, you may only deal with slow charging. In this case, the best way is to avoid gaming altogether and let it charge to total capacity first. Otherwise, playing means straining the device, and the battery will discharge even faster.
Can You Use Nintendo Switch To Charge Your MacBook?
Undoubtedly, the Nintendo Switch is capable of many incredible features besides offering an unmatched gaming experience. However, there are some claims that it can also come in handy as a power bank, bringing us to the final discussion in this section.
Surprisingly, the Nintendo Switch can function as a power bank to help you charge a MacBook Pro. You can use a cable to link the two devices, and if the laptop is off, you will notice that it turns to charge mode. When the console is fully charged and you plug it into your turned-off MacBook, the charge will transfer between them.
This principle is unlike the usual case where the laptop is the bigger and more powerful device that charges the smaller one. However, this case can go both ways because the laptop and the Nintendo can charge each other as long as one is fully charged.
One least-known feature of the Nintendo Switch model is that it can serve as a power bank, sufficient to charge a MacBook Pro. Moreover, depending on how you link the two, you can use either device to charge the other provided that you use the recommended cable. For this, you will need the dual USB-C plug and not the console-specific cable that converts to an AC adapter.
The cable has to be the original USB-C type that has support on both sides. Therefore, if you have misplaced your laptop charger, you can always power on your Switch and use it as a power bank. Most interestingly, the charge conversion works both ways, meaning that the gadgets can power each other whenever one has full power, and the other has shut down.
Wrap Up
Fortunately, the Nintendo Switch and MacBook have the same USB-C charging system. Therefore, if you lose or forget to carry your console charger, you can always plug in your laptop’s cable.
However, it is not highly recommended because the MacBook cord is more powerful and can overheating the battery or damage other components. Secondly, there are concerns that the laptop charger functions rather slowly when charging the Switch.
You can also use the Nintendo charger for your MacBook. in the same light, you can utilize a compatible USB phone charger but be wary of issues such as excessive power output. On the other hand, you can also use the Nintendo Switch to power your MacBook and vice versa, provided that you use a cable with support on both ends to facilitate the charge transfer.
