If you need to change the charger in your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Professional, then it’s vital that you just discover the right one in your explicit machine as, not like the iPhone’s one-size-fits-all lightning cable, chargers differ between Apple’s MacBook vary.
We present you tips on how to work out the charger that’s finest in your laptop computer. It’s additionally value noting that Apple has recalled some of its wall plugs over safety concerns, and that you should find out if yours is affected.
Up to date 02/27/24: We’ve up to date our information to incorporate the most recent MacBooks and energy adapters.
Will the improper charger injury my MacBook?
Should you’re shopping for an official MacBook charger from Apple then you’ll be able to relaxation assured that selecting the improper sort received’t trigger any hurt to your gadget.
Whereas there are a number accessible, starting from 30W as much as 140W, the extra highly effective ones received’t overload your machine or have an effect on your battery. Quick-charging is a brand new characteristic on some MacBooks and requires a sure energy ranking, however you’ll be able to cost with a slower energy adapter simply fantastic, it can merely take longer.
If you would like a extra reasonably priced alternative or spare MacBook charger, take a look at our suggestions for the best chargers for MacBook Pro and Air.
Chargers for the present MacBook vary
In the intervening time the MacBook vary is comprised of the 2020 M1 MacBook Air, M3 MacBook Air, and 14-inch and 16-inch M3 MacBook Professional fashions. Every of those comes a unique charger, which we’ve listed beneath.
Apple gives quick charging on the 2022 MacBook Air and later with a 67W charger with a Thunderbolt or high-speed USB-C cable and the 2021 14-inch MacBook Professional and later with a 96W energy adapter. The 2021 16-inch MacBook Professional solely helps quick charging with a 140W energy adapter and a MagSafe 3 Cable or 240W USB-C Charge Cable.
Examine your cable
Earlier than you change the whole energy charger it might be sensible to test if the cable you’re utilizing is the right ranking in your gadget. For the reason that introduction of USB-C chargers, the cables have been separate from the primary adapter, and as such they might be combined up extra simply.
Most of the official Apple cables may have the phrases ‘Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China’ printed on them. Subsequent to those can even be an alpha-numeric serial quantity that denotes to which charger they belong. You received’t discover this on all cables, although. For instance, it’s not written on the newer braided MagSafe 3 cables that comes with the very newest MacBooks.
Ones starting with C4M or FL4 are meant for the 29/30W USB-C adaptors utilized by the MacBook (2015 and later) and MacBook Air (2018 and later).
These starting with DLC or CTC can be utilized with both the 61W or 87W USB-C adaptors utilized by the MacBook Professionals (2016 or later).
Apple recommends that if you happen to ought to discover your cable doesn’t have a serial quantity printed on it then you must contact Apple Support as you might be entitled to a alternative.
Which Mac do I’ve?
In case your machine is older than any of these listed above you then’ll must first verify its particular sort earlier than searching for a charger. Learn our Which Mac do I have? information for directions on tips on how to decide your mannequin.
Chargers for older Macs
As you’ll be able to think about, there have been fairly just a few combos of chargers and machines all through Apple’s latest historical past.
These fall primarily into 4 principal sorts: MagSafe, MagSafe 2, MagSafe 3, and those who cost solely with a USB-C connection on the Mac aspect. MageSafe 2 cables are break up between MagSafe L and MagSafe T sort connectors. MagSafe L is the longer, straighter connector that hooked up alongside the MacBook, whereas the T is the blocky sq. that was used on most MagSafe connectors.
Right here’s a breakdown of which model pertains to which gadget.
USB-C
In case your MacBook has no MagSafe connector, it simply prices by way of USB-C. You should utilize any USB-C energy adapter that helps the USB-C Energy Supply normal, however you’ll desire a higher-power adapter to cost your Mac quicker, particularly if it’s a more recent, bigger mannequin. Examine our guide to the best USB-C Power Adapters.
The most recent MacBooks with MagSafe 3 could be charged by way of USB-C as properly, and actually, MagSafe 3 cables can plug into any USB-C energy adapter that helps the facility supply normal.
MagSafe 3
The most recent re-emergence of MagSafe comes after a number of years of MacBooks that solely have USB-C connectors. It’s comparable in design to the T-shape MagSafe 2, however barely thinner and able to carrying extra present.
MagSafe 3 is extra of a cable than a charger. The chargers to which these MagSafe 3 cables connect merely have USB-C ports, and work fantastic to cost your MacBook when plugged into the USB-C port. You received’t get quick charging on the 16-inch MacBook Professional that method, however it can in any other case work fantastic.
MagSafe 2
The 85W MagSafe power adapter with MagSafe 2 (U.K. version) model connector is suitable with:
- MacBook Professional (Retina, 15in, Mid 2015)
- MacBook Professional (Retina, 15in, Mid 2014)
- MacBook Professional (Retina, 15in, Late 2013)
- Macbook Professional (Retina, 15in, Early 2013)
- MacBook Professional (Retina, Mid 2012)
The 60W MagSafe power adapter with MagSafe 2 (U.K. version) model connector is suitable with:
- MacBook Professional (Retina, 13in, Early 2015)
- MacBook Professional (Retina, 13in, Mid 2014)
- MacBook Professional (Retina, 13in, Late 2013)
- MacBook Professional (Retina, 13in, Early 2013)
- MacBook Professional (Retina, 13in, Late 2012)
The 45W MagSafe power adapter with MagSafe 2 (U.K. version) model connector is suitable with:
- MacBook Air (13in, 2017)
- MacBook Air (11in, Early 2015)
- MacBook Air (13in, Early 2015)
- MacBook Air (11in, Early 2014)
- MacBook Air (13in, Early 2014)
- MacBook Air (11in, Mid 2013)
- MacBook Air (13in, Mid 2013)
- MacBook Air (11in, Mid 2012)
- MacBook Air (13in, Mid 2012)
MagSafe
The 60W MagSafe energy adapter with “T” model connector is suitable with:
- MacBook Professional (13in, Mid 2009)
- MacBook Professional (15in, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009)
- MacBook (13in, Mid 2009)
- MacBook (13in, Early 2009)
- MacBook (13in, Aluminum, Late 2008)
- MacBook (13in, Late 2008)
- MacBook (13in, Early 2008)
- MacBook (13in, Late 2007)
- MacBook (13in, Mid 2007)
- MacBook (13in, Late 2006)
- MacBook (13in)
The 60W MagSafe power adapter with “L” style connector (U.K. version) is suitable with:
- MacBook Professional (13in, Mid 2012)
- MacBook Professional (13in, Late 2011)
- MacBook Professional (13in, Early 2011)
- MacBook Professional (13in, Mid 2010)
- MacBook (13in, Mid 2010)
- MacBook (13in, Late 2009)
The 85W MagSafe energy adapter with “T” model connector is suitable with:
- MacBook Professional (15in Mid 2009)
- MacBook Professional (17in Mid 2009)
- MacBook Professional (17in Early 2009)
- MacBook Professional (15in Late 2008)
- MacBook Professional (17in Late 2008)
- MacBook Professional (15in Early 2008)
- MacBook Professional (17in Early 2008)
- MacBook Professional (15in 2.4/2.2GHz)
- MacBook Professional (17in 2.4GHz)
- MacBook Professional (15in Core 2 Duo)
- MacBook Professional (17in Core 2 Duo)
- MacBook Professional (15in Shiny)
- MacBook Professional (17in)
- MacBook Professional
The 85W MagSafe power adapter with “L” style connector (U.K. version) is suitable with:
- MacBook Professional (15in, Mid 2012)
- MacBook Professional (15in, Late 2011)
- MacBook Professional (17in, Late 2011)
- MacBook Professional (15in, Early 2011)
- MacBook Professional (17in, Early 2011)
- MacBook Professional (15in, Mid 2010)
- MacBook Professional (17in, Mid 2010)
The 45W MagSafe power adapter with “L” style connector is suitable with:
- MacBook Air (13in, Mid 2011)
- MacBook Air (11in, Mid 2011)
- MacBook Air (13in, Late 2010)
- MacBook Air (11in, Late 2010)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2009)
- MacBook Air (Late 2008)
- MacBook Air (Unique)