Can I use an older 96 W power adapter to charge a new 16 inch MacBook Pro (that comes with a 140 W adapter)

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Can I use an older 96 W power adapter to charge a new 16 inch MacBook Pro (that comes with a 140 W adapter)

the new MacBook Pro (16 inch)(2021) comes with a 140 Watt power adapter and a usb-C to MagSafe 3 power adapter cable.

Can I use a 96 Watt power adapter I already own (for a 2016 MacBook Pro) and the above mentioned cable (the power adapter does had a usb-C output) to charge my 2021 16 inch MacBook Pro??? I would like to have a backup and it appears the new 140 W adapter is at least two months out if you buy online from Apple..
And also instead of using the usb-C to MagSafe 3 power adapter cable, it sounds like from what I've read that I can also use simply a usb-C to usb-C power cable and plug the computer end of that cable into one of the thunderbolt connections on the new 16 inch MacBook Pro???

Can I do this or not??? I like to have a backup power adapter and I already own TWO of the older 96 Watt adapters... Just don't want to harm the new 16 inch MacBook Pro... Any help would be much appreciated...

Posted on Feb 12, 2022 8:07 AM

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Answer 1

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leroydouglas

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188,466 points

Feb 12, 2022 8:13 AM in response to Robert Paris

Robert Paris wrote:

1. the new MacBook Pro (16 inch)(2021) comes with a 140 Watt power adapter and a usb-C to MagSafe 3 power adapter cable.

Can I use a 96 Watt power adapter I already own (for a 2016 MacBook Pro) and the above mentioned cable (the power adapter does had a usb-C output) to charge my 2021 16 inch MacBook Pro???

2. And also instead of using the usb-C to MagSafe 3 power adapter cable, it sounds like from what I've read that I can also use simply a usb-C to usb-C power cable and plug the computer end of that cable into one of the thunderbolt connections on the new 16 inch MacBook Pro???

Can I do this or not??? I like to have a backup power adapter and I already own TWO of the older 96 Watt adapters... Just don't want to harm the new 16 inch MacBook Pro... Any help would be much appreciated...

Find the right power adapter and cable for your Mac notebook ...

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201700

https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro-14-and-16/specs/

About battery health management in Mac notebooks w/ silicon

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211832

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Answer 2

Robert Paris Author

Level 2

209 points

Feb 12, 2022 8:19 AM in response to leroydouglas

But if you look up the NEW specs for the 2021 16 inch MacBook Pro, it calls out and comes with a 140 Watt adapter... see attached screenshot... Looks like the original 16 inch DID come with a 96 Watt adapter but now they appear to have upped that on the 2021 version. So my question is still can I use one of my already owned 96 Watt adapters to charge this new 2021 16 inch MacBook Pro that natively comes with a 140 Watt adapter??? It's ok if it charges somewhat slower with the 96 Watt version. I just don't want to harm the MacBook Pro...

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Can I use an older 96 W power adapter to charge a new 16 inch MacBook Pro (that comes with a 140 W adapter)

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