If you must change the charger on your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Professional, then it’s vital that you just discover the right one on your specific machine as, not like the iPhone’s one-size-fits-all lightning cable, chargers range between Apple’s MacBook vary.
We present you the right way to work out the charger that’s finest on your laptop computer. It’s additionally price noting that Apple has recalled a few of its wall plugs over security considerations, and that it is best to discover out if yours is affected.
Up to date 02/27/24: We’ve up to date our information to incorporate the newest MacBooks and energy adapters.
Will the unsuitable charger injury my MacBook?
Should you’re shopping for an official MacBook charger from Apple then you may relaxation assured that selecting the unsuitable kind received’t trigger any hurt to your gadget.
Whereas there are a selection obtainable, 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 score, however you may cost with a slower energy adapter simply high quality, it’ll merely take longer.
If you would like a extra reasonably priced substitute or spare MacBook charger, take a look at our suggestions for the finest chargers for MacBook Professional and Air.
Chargers for the present MacBook vary
In the mean 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 under.
![Which MacBook charger do I need: Current range](https://images.macworld.co.uk/cmsdata/features/3677973/which-macbook-charger-usbc.png)
Apple presents 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 Cost Cable.
Test your cable
Earlier than you change the whole energy charger it will be clever to test if the cable you’re utilizing is the right score on 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 blended up extra simply.
Lots of the official Apple cables can have the phrases ‘Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China’ printed on them. Subsequent to those will 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.
![Which MacBook charger do I need: Cable](https://images.macworld.co.uk/cmsdata/features/3677973/which-macbook-charger-usb-cable.png)
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 Execs (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 it is best to contact Apple Assist as chances are you’ll be entitled to a substitute.
Which Mac do I’ve?
In case your machine is older than any of these listed above you then’ll have to first confirm its particular kind earlier than looking for a charger. Learn our Which Mac do I’ve? information for directions on the right way to decide your mannequin.
Chargers for older Macs
As you may think about, there have been fairly a couple of mixtures of chargers and machines all through Apple’s current historical past.
These fall primarily into 4 essential sorts: MagSafe, MagSafe 2, MagSafe 3, and those who cost solely with a USB-C connection on the Mac facet. MageSafe 2 cables are break up between MagSafe L and MagSafe T kind connectors. MagSafe L is the longer, straighter connector that connected alongside the MacBook, whereas the T is the blocky sq. that was used on most MagSafe connectors.
Right here’s a breakdown of which type pertains to which gadget.
USB-C
In case your MacBook has no MagSafe connector, it simply costs through USB-C. You need to use any USB-C energy adapter that helps the USB-C Energy Supply commonplace, however you’ll need a higher-power adapter to cost your Mac sooner, particularly if it’s a more recent, bigger mannequin. Test our information to the perfect USB-C Energy Adapters.
The most recent MacBooks with MagSafe 3 will be charged through USB-C as nicely, and in reality, MagSafe 3 cables can plug into any USB-C energy adapter that helps the ability supply commonplace.
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 related 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 high quality to cost your MacBook when plugged into the USB-C port. You received’t get quick charging on the 16-inch MacBook Professional that approach, however it’ll in any other case work high quality.
![Which MacBook charger do I need: MagSafe 2](https://images.macworld.co.uk/cmsdata/features/3677973/which-macbook-chrager-magsafe2.png)
MagSafe 2
The 85W MagSafe energy adapter with MagSafe 2 (U.Ok. model) type connector is appropriate 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 energy adapter with MagSafe 2 (U.Ok. model) type connector is appropriate 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 energy adapter with MagSafe 2 (U.Ok. model) type connector is appropriate 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” type connector is appropriate 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)
![Which MacBook charger do I need: MagSafe](https://images.macworld.co.uk/cmsdata/features/3677973/which-macbook-charger-magsafe-l.png)
The 60W MagSafe energy adapter with “L” type connector (U.Ok. model) is appropriate 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” type connector is appropriate 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 energy adapter with “L” type connector (U.Ok. model) is appropriate 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 energy adapter with “L” type connector is appropriate 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)