Apple chargers are generally safe to use across Apple devices. The chargers come in different voltages and watts for iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks and with unique configurations for optimal charging.
So, can you use an iPhone charger for the MacBook Air? An iPhone charger is not suitable for charging a MacBook Air. The MacBook Air requires a higher power output than an iPhone charger provides. MacBook Air typically uses a 30W, 45W, or 60W charger, while an iPhone charger typically provides 5W to 20W. Attempting to use an iPhone charger could result in slow or incomplete charging and might harm the device. Always use the appropriate charger for electronic devices to ensure their longevity and safety.
Generally, an iPhone charger cannot be used to charge a MacBook Air due to differences in power requirements and the design of the connectors. A MacBook Air requires a higher wattage to charge effectively, and its USB-C power adapter caters to this need. Conversely, an iPhone charger uses a USB-A to Lightning cable, which lacks the necessary power output and physical compatibility for charging a MacBook Air.
Furthermore, the power output of an iPhone charger is far lower than that of a MacBook Air charger. Attempting to charge a MacBook Air with an iPhone charger would, at best, result in a very slow charge, and at worst, could potentially cause damage to the MacBook’s power management system. It is always recommended to use the manufacturer’s specified charger for a device to ensure optimal performance and to safeguard against potential damages.
Future iPhones could have a USB-C port and therefore come with a charger usable on the MacBook Air, especially in the European Union where there will be a mandate requiring new iPhones to have a USB-C port. Even so, the charging rate will be slower given the differences in wattage supply and requirements. MacBook Air has a higher wattage requirement than an iPhone can supply, and the charging speed may slow up to four times.
With Apple devices ranking higher in quality and price than other brands in the market, replacing a lost, forgotten, or malfunctioning charger may not be easy and it would make sense to assume an iPhone charger can be used for a MacBook Air.
Certain recent iPhones come with a USB-C to Lightning cable and a 20W USB-C power adapter. While this still falls short of the MacBook Air’s charging requirements, it is technically possible to use it in emergency situations. However, such usage should be limited due to the significantly slower charging speed and the potential strain on the MacBook’s battery health. Always prioritize using the charger designed for the MacBook Air for regular charging.
Unlike other smartphones with a USB-A connection, incapable of powering a laptop, the iPhone features a USB-C connection that can transfer power to the laptop. However, there will be a notable reduction in charging speed given the differences in wattage between an iPhone and MacBook Air Adapters.
When charging your MacBook Air using an iPhone charger, you should take some precautions to avoid voiding your warranty. Fortunately, Apple devices’ designs are such that they will take in the recommended power and never beyond, regardless of the power supply from the adapter.
However, given the long charging hours, you may want to look for battery damage or swelling. Also, check the power outlet source for overheating and unplug the adapter if hot.
When charging your MacBook Air, you can set some Battery options under System Preferences for maximum effectiveness. These settings include dimming your display to save energy, optimization of video streaming, show battery status, and optimized battery charging.
The optimized battery charging feature reduces battery wear and improves its lifespan. It works by delaying the charge past 80% after predicting prolonged periods of charging to ensure the battery charges before you unplug.
After charging your MacBook Air, you can equally preserve the battery power, especially if you are away from your original charger for long or unable to buy a new one. To achieve this, you can decrease display brightness, turn off the keyboard backlights, quit unnecessary apps, and turn off Bluetooth.
Your MacBook Air display is among the top sources of battery drainage. Dimming your display will not only make the battery last longer but also make it comfortable for your eyes. Also, adjust your settings to ensure that your screen goes off when not using your MacBook Air. Disabling auto brightness will also preserve your battery.
Keyboard backlights are ideal, especially if typing in the dark. However, they drain your device’s power much faster. Hence, dimming to decrease power usage will be suitable if you need them on. You can also set your backlights to turn off automatically when not in use.
Like the above two power-consuming features, Bluetooth will also drain your MacBook Air battery, and turning it off is ideal. You can switch to built-in speakers and trackpad instead of the external speakers and mouse to conserve power and use your device for longer hours.
Closing unnecessary apps running in the background will also save your battery power. To do this, press Command +Q. While the above battery preservation techniques will work, they should be temporary, and use should be occasional.
These methods will also not supply your device with the power it needs, and the best option will be to buy a new charger for your MacBook Air. If you forgot your charger, carrying it next time will save you the hassle.
Lastly, if you do not have an iPhone charger, you can explore other charging options for your MacBook Air, including the power bank and USB converter. For a USB converter, you require a PC, hence usable at home or office where you have this access. You also need a USB 3.0 to USB-C converter available in most online shops.
Plug one end of the USB-C cable to your PC and the other to your MacBook Air for charging. A power bank will work more or less like the converter, requiring a USB 3.0 to USB-C, and is helpful while on the go.
Can I Use My iPhone Charger to Charge My MacBook?
A charger is vital for battery-powered devices, including laptops and phones. Unfortunately, you can misplace your laptop charger and remain with your iPhone charger; therefore, knowing whether you can use it to charge your MacBook is vital.
While both iPhone and MacBook chargers utilize USB technology, the power requirements differ. MacBook chargers typically provide 30W, 45W, or 60W, while iPhone chargers range from 5W to 20W. Consequently, an iPhone charger lacks sufficient power to effectively charge a MacBook, potentially leading to slow or incomplete charging and potential device damage. Always use device-specific chargers for optimal performance and safety.
You can charge your MacBook using an iPhone charger as both devices feature a Type C USB port. However, given the wattage differences, your MacBook will charge slower as your iPhone charger will supply less power than your MacBook requires.
To charge your MacBook using an iPhone charger, check your MacBook ports if they are Type A or Type C. A Type-A charger will transfer power from your laptop to the iPhone or other devices, but the vice versa is impossible as a MacBook requires more power than Type-A connectors cannot supply.
On the other hand, a Type C charger will allow charging, as it can transfer more power than Type-A. Hence, with iPhone and MacBook compatibility to Type C, it will be possible to charge your MacBook with an iPhone charger.
Given the charging speed challenges, it is inadvisable to use your MacBook when charging with an iPhone charger as the battery will start dropping, given the higher power usage than intake. In this case, your charger will only be slowing down the battery consumption rate rather than charging the battery.
Hence, turn off your MacBook first before connecting it to the iPhone charger for an improvement in charging speed. This way, the battery will charge, though at a very slow rate.
Unfortunately, older MacBook models may not have the Type C port, making it impossible to charge with an iPhone charger. Also, while some may have this port, they may not necessarily support charging. Hence, investing in a newer MacBook version may save your day as these models support Type C charging.
Can I Charge My Laptop With an iPhone Charger?
All laptop models have a battery that requires an electrical supply to charge. When you connect your laptop to a power supply using its recommended charger, it should charge to the full battery within a short time. However, you can at times forget your laptop charger, and I will help you know if switching to an iPhone charger to charge your laptop is feasible.
An iPhone charger cannot efficiently charge a laptop. Laptops require a much higher power output, generally starting from 30W, whereas iPhone chargers range from 5W to 20W. Using an iPhone charger may result in slow, inefficient charging or even potential damage to the laptop. For safe and effective charging, always use the charger designed for the specific device.
You can charge your laptop with an iPhone charger if it features USB-C charging but it’s not an efficient way of charging. An iPhone charger features Type C charging, making it a compatible charger for laptops with a similar port.
Whilst USB-C is ideal for high wattage connectivity, hence it can transfer more power than Type A USB and at a faster speed, the iphone charger is unable to provide higher wattage. If you still want to charge your laptop with an iphone charger, plug one end of the cable into your laptop and the other into the adapter plugged to a power outlet.
As stated earlier, you can use an iPhone USB-C charger to charge your laptop if your laptop features this port. Fortunately, most new laptop models have this feature, allowing power transfer in both directions, unlike the older Type-A ports, which support one-way charging.
As such, older laptop models featuring Type-A ports will not support this charging mode. Also, to note is that while your laptop may have a Type C port, it is not a guarantee that it will charge using an iPhone charger. Hence, buying a charger for your laptop will be ideal if this option does not work for you.
While charging your laptop with iPhone’s USB-C charger will work, you should brace yourself for a slower charging speed, as most laptops will run on a higher power than your iPhone. For instance, while an iPhone can supply 5 watts of power, the slowest laptop chargers give 50 to 60 watts, while the most powerful chargers can supply up to 120 watts. However, if you are patient enough, you can still charge your laptop this way to full battery.
Given the low power supply an iPhone charger gives to a laptop, it may not be possible to use your laptop for a long while charging. Doing this will result in a drop in battery power as consumption will be higher than intake. Hence, consider turning off your laptop when charging to conserve the little supply.
When charging your laptop using an iPhone charger, you should look out for overheating on the power source, as you will plug it in for long hours. Overheating could burn your power source, which is why you should invest in enough protection. Also, disconnect the charger to allow cooling if you notice increased heat on the power source.
Apart from an iPhone charger, you can explore alternatives to charge your laptop, including a Universal charger, power banks, and charging on your car. While each laptop features a unique plug for its model, a universal charger features a detachable adapter with several plug types allowing different laptop brands to connect and charge.
Investing in such a charger will save you from charging frustrations. However, you will experience difficulties getting a plug should you lose it, requiring you to invest in another charger altogether.
Power banks provide another alternative to laptop charging. Like USB-C charging, you will require USB-C charging, but this time, you will not connect the cable to a power outlet but to the power bank instead. When selecting a power bank for laptop charging, you should be careful with the brand you pick and stick to reputable brands with positive reviews.
Charging your laptop is also possible using your car battery, just like your phone. This time, you will require a USB-A to USB-C adapter as most vehicles feature USB-A ports. Alternatively, buy a USB cable with Type A on one end and Type C on the other. You can also use a power inverter to connect your laptop to the cigarette lighter outlet.
If all the above possibilities do not work, carrying an extra battery will help when you are away. This option will work if your laptop has a detachable battery, as the battery removal in built-in laptops is complicated.
Removing your battery will require you to open your laptop base and remove the wires attached to it, a process that is not worth the hassle, given the risks of laptop damage. However, if you have a detachable battery laptop, then carrying a backup battery will ensure undisrupted work. For maximum benefits, charge your laptop batteries fully.
Lastly, when exploring alternatives to charge your laptop, you should avoid cheap and low-quality brands. While Apple devices feature a power control feature, your laptop brand may not. Using a cheap charger lacking the safety checks can damage your device.
In addition, you should check for overheating when using a phone charger for an iPhone. While phone chargers work at maximum power for a few minutes when the battery is very low, laptops will use more power given their relatively bigger size batteries. As such, a laptop will use maximum power for a longer time, overheating the charger.
Wrap Up
Apple designs its products to allow the interchangeable use of accessories. However, when it comes to the chargers, the iPhone, MacBook, and iPads feature different requirements, and Apple designs the adapters to meet these needs.
However, if you forget your MacBook Charger, you need not worry, as your iPhone charger will be useful in this case. Both iPhone and MacBook chargers feature USB-C ports, making charging possible. However, you expect a slower charging rate due to wattage differences.
Using your iPhone charger on other laptops is also possible as long as they have USB-C ports. Like in the MacBook, you expect a slower charging rate as laptops require more power than the iPhone charger can supply.
Dimming the display, closing background apps, and switching off your device can speed up charging, but this alternative should be occasional. Other charging options you can explore are power banks and universal chargers.
