Is your charger fast enough for your MacBook?

How do I check my charger’s wattage?

System Information shows the wattage of the charger that’s connected now.

1. Hold the Option key, click the Apple menu, then choose System Information.
2. Select Power in the sidebar.
3. Scroll down on the right to AC Charger Information, and read Wattage (W).

The wattage is also printed on the charger’s certification label, the small print on the adapter itself.

What charger does my MacBook need?

Apple lists these power adapters for each Mac laptop. Choose Apple menu > About This Mac to see which model you have.

For the best charging experience, Apple says to use a power adapter, or a display that charges your Mac, that provides at least the minimum wattage of the adapter recommended for your Mac. On a 14-inch MacBook Pro, that’s 67 W.

What happens with a lower-watt charger?

Any USB-C power adapter or display that supports USB Power Delivery (USB PD) can charge a Mac that charges over USB-C, even one with less wattage than Apple recommends. What changes is how much it can do:

• It charges more slowly. On macOS Tahoe 26.4 or later, “Slow Charger” appears in the battery status menu and above the Battery Level graph in Battery settings.
• It may only run the Mac. A low-wattage adapter can give your Mac enough power to run, but not enough to charge the battery. The battery status menu then says “Not Charging”.
• During heavy work, the battery can drain. Demanding apps, such as video editors and games, can use more power than the charger provides, so the battery covers the rest even while plugged in.

To see whether macOS thinks your charger is too slow:

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Battery in the sidebar.
2. Look above the Battery Level graph, under Last 24 Hours.

This 14-inch MacBook Pro’s 30 W charger gives less than half of the 67 W Apple recommends for it.

How do I charge my MacBook faster?

1. Use a charger with at least Apple’s recommended wattage. Some Mac models can also fast charge with the right combination of power adapter and charge cable.
2. Use a cable designed for charging. Not all cables can charge, and some USB-C cables only transfer data. The cable that came with your Mac works best.
3. Don’t count on a second port. Your Mac charges over only one port at a time, from the source that provides the most power, so connecting a second charger doesn’t charge it faster.
4. Lower the demand. Quit apps you aren’t using and turn the brightness down. Connected devices draw power too.

A USB-C or Thunderbolt display that provides power, such as Apple Studio Display, can charge your Mac instead of a separate charger.

Questions people also ask

Can I use a charger with more watts than my MacBook needs?

Yes. Apple says you can charge a Mac that charges over USB-C with any USB-C power adapter or display, even one with higher wattage than the adapter recommended for it.

Can I charge my MacBook with a phone charger?

If it’s a USB-C charger that supports USB Power Delivery, yes, but slowly. A small charger may keep the Mac running without charging the battery, especially while you work.

Are other brands of charger OK?

Apple says third-party power adapters should comply with applicable international and regional regulations and safety standards. Stop using any adapter or cable that’s damaged.