Christian Suisse

Q: Can I use my 29 W Macbook charger with a USBC to Lightning cable to charge an iPhone 6 plus ?

Apple just launched a new cable USB C to lightning. As I have a Macbook with a 29 W charger, I was wondering if I can also use this charger, with a USB C to lightning cable to charge my iPhone 6 Plus, without any risk to damage the iPhone battery. Is there any guidance from Apple or any experience from other users ?

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9.3

Posted on Mar 28, 2016 3:24 AM

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Q: Can I use my 29 W Macbook charger with a USBC to Lightning cable to charge an iPhone 6 plus ?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar Mar 28, 2016 6:58 AM in response to Christian Suisse
    Level 7 (28,601 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 28, 2016 6:58 AM in response to Christian Suisse

    if it does not send more then 5volts to the device it can't harm it.

  • by Christian Suisse,

    Christian Suisse Christian Suisse Mar 28, 2016 8:07 AM in response to Rudegar
    Level 1 (5 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 28, 2016 8:07 AM in response to Rudegar

    The 29 W charger is a 14.5 V x 2 Amp. However, I think it might adapt depending on the device that is charging on it and adjust automatically to 5.2 V x 2.4 Amp like the the 12 W charger if it's an iPhone, but I'm not sure... I'd rather not take the risk, unless I get a confirmation. Don't want to harm my iPhone battery

  • by raymond73,

    raymond73 raymond73 Mar 28, 2016 10:02 AM in response to Christian Suisse
    Level 4 (1,738 points)
    Mar 28, 2016 10:02 AM in response to Christian Suisse

    USB standard is 5 volts. Current is whatever the charger will provide and the device will accept. Using a 500 watt charger on your iPhone will not harm the device as long as the voltage is correct. The phone will draw no more current than it needs. If the USB C to lightning cable is from Apple it will work properly to charge your iPhone. Apple would not provide an adapter that exceeds the specifications of devices that use the lightning cable.

  • by Christian Suisse,

    Christian Suisse Christian Suisse Mar 30, 2016 12:11 AM in response to raymond73
    Level 1 (5 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 30, 2016 12:11 AM in response to raymond73

    OK, I finally went to the Apple Store in Geneva and asked an expert at the Genius bar. The Macbook charger with the USB C plug is a 14.5 V charger (x 2 Amp = 29 Watts). The USB C to Lightning cable can be used to charge the new iPad Pro, as it has a fast charge mode. It should under no circumstance be used to charge an iPhone, it can only be used to plug the iPhone to the USB C plug on the Macbook. I must say, I find this strange, as it seems a natural thing to do, once this cable exists and is sold by Apple.

  • by K Shaffer,Apple recommended

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Mar 30, 2016 1:02 AM in response to Christian Suisse
    Level 6 (14,350 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 30, 2016 1:02 AM in response to Christian Suisse

    The standard item that is better for the intended purpose is a separate product such as this

    (link shows discounted part, new retail part is available from Apple reseller or Apple Store)

     

    • Apple A1265 (* ) AC USB Power (5W) for iPhones, iPod, and other (example * used)

    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/A1265C/

     

    Or see Apple Store online:

    Apple 5W USB Power Adapter - Apple

     

    The new one would be widely available (compared to the used example I'd bookmarked)

    and should be appropriate to your Country or Region if different than the standard shown.

    Note the specs on input and output to see how this may work where AC specs vary.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by Malcolm J. Rayfield,

    Malcolm J. Rayfield Malcolm J. Rayfield Mar 30, 2016 3:17 AM in response to Christian Suisse
    Level 5 (7,945 points)
    Mar 30, 2016 3:17 AM in response to Christian Suisse

    It should be safe to use the 29 watt charger with the USB-C to lightning cable to charge any lightning device.  It will run at 5 V unless the device negotiates the higher voltage.  The USB-C MacBook and 12" iPad Pro will switch the charger to the higher voltage, but with USB 2 devices it will stay at 5 V.

    http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/159552/how-does-a-usb-c-port-prov ide-the-power-to-charge-laptops

     

    Nobody wants to be the first to try it, though.

  • by megagram,

    megagram megagram May 22, 2016 9:02 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield
    Level 1 (94 points)
    May 22, 2016 9:02 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

    Just to let every one know, I tested this with my old iPhone 5 and it works fine!

     

    Thanks to Malcolm for posting the link to the USB-C specification as it clearly stated the first profile used/attempted would be #1 at 5v.

  • by ocuyler,

    ocuyler ocuyler May 24, 2016 8:44 AM in response to Christian Suisse
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 24, 2016 8:44 AM in response to Christian Suisse

    I bought these accessories to fast charge the iPad Pro.  The work it does for me in the field is priceless, but some days are 15 hours in a factory and a recharge is required during a break.  The 12w is pretty slow and has hampered my work on a long day.  It's awesome have fast I can get from 10% to 50% now.

     

    I have a couple of charging cycles with this configuration on an iPhone 6plus, which takes the images on my jobs.  The phone does NOT get hot and appears to charge significantly faster without issue.

  • by Doug Young,

    Doug Young Doug Young Jul 10, 2016 11:59 PM in response to Christian Suisse
    Level 1 (34 points)
    Jul 10, 2016 11:59 PM in response to Christian Suisse

    It is a natural thing to do and I'm quite certain he is wrong based on information from Apple themselves.

    About Apple USB-C to Lightning cable - Apple Support

     

    A USB-C to Lightning cable lets you:

    • Charge your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it's connected to a USB-C port.
    • Fast charge your iPad Pro 12.9-inch when it's connected to the Apple 29W USB-C Power Adapter.
    • Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch or import your photos when connected to a USB-C port on your Mac or PC.
    • Charge a Siri Remote when it's connected to a USB-C port on a Mac, PC, or USB-C charger.
    • Charge Apple accessories like a Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, or Magic Trackpad.
    • Use your iPhone or iPad as a Personal Hotspot when connected over a USB-C to Lightning cable.

    The USB-C port on an Apple TV (4th generation) doesn't support charging, so you can't use it to charge a Siri Remote. You might not be able to charge your iOS device using USB-C power adapters that aren't manufactured by Apple.

  • by pavlos p,

    pavlos p pavlos p Sep 15, 2016 5:26 AM in response to Christian Suisse
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 15, 2016 5:26 AM in response to Christian Suisse

    My 29W USB-C power adapter (model A1540 Flextronics LPS) says:

    Output 14.5V / 2.0A (USB PD) or 5.2V / 2.4A

    most probably that means that it has two modes and it adapts according to the connected devise.