Safe to use 96W USB-C power adaptor for MagSafe2 2015 15” MacBook Pro

[SMGreenfield]

My friggin’ cat has chewed through my MacBook Pro power cable for the THIRD TIME!

My MacBook Pro is a mid-2015 15” Retina, which takes a MagSafe2 connector. The standard Apple power brick for this model is 85W (18.5v / 4.6A).

I’ve had this idea that I could use one of the newer Apple USB-C power bricks, and indeed there is a 96W USB-C charger for the present 16” MBP, as well as an 87W USB-C for the present 15” MBP. I have a USB-C to USB-C cable rated at 100W, and a female USB-C to MagSafe adaptor (as well as a MagSafe to MagSafe2 adaptor).

SO HERE’S THE QUESTION: I’ve read that you must be using a power supply with wattage rated at or higher than the original one that came with the MacBook Pro (65W). I got that covered. But what I’m not sure about is voltage: the 65W is 18.5 volts, but I believe the new USB-C power bricks are at 20 volts.

Does anyone know definitively if an Apple USB-C power brick rated at 20V is safe for a MagSafe2 MacBook Pro expecting 18.5V?

 

[joevt]

What MagSafe adapters?
There exists MagSafe to USB-C adapters:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RZJS2Z

I don't think I've seen a USB-C to MagSage adapter. Actually, here is some I found but most are limited to 60W?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F7BHZLK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T6GYDCY
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T6QPGVB
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083YSFWQ7
https://www.newegg.com/p/1VJ-00P0-000A2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C9TZY41
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094VD15RF
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088F9CDPL
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MFMYCQ3

Maybe get a new charger?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q3CW9WM
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H5DXHGC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WM2HBBQ

I don't know how much non-Apple chargers can be trusted...

USB-C supports power delivery. The device and the charger negotiate with each other the voltage (controlled by the charger) and current (consumed by the device).

MagSafe2 is not Power Delivery spec - the adapter probably adjusts the voltage to match what a MagSafe device requires if the USB-C charger can't provide the voltage. Or maybe the adapter doesn't need to adjust the voltage spec because the battery can use a range of voltages that overlaps one of the Power deliver spec choices?

 

[SMGreenfield]

What MagSafe adapters?
There exists MagSafe to USB-C adapters:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RZJS2Z

I don't think I've seen a USB-C to MagSage adapter. Actually, here is some I found but most are limited to 60W?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F7BHZLK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T6GYDCY
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T6QPGVB
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083YSFWQ7
https://www.newegg.com/p/1VJ-00P0-000A2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C9TZY41
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094VD15RF
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088F9CDPL
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MFMYCQ3

Maybe get a new charger?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q3CW9WM
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H5DXHGC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WM2HBBQ

I don't know how much non-Apple chargers can be trusted...

USB-C supports power delivery. The device and the charger negotiate with each other the voltage (controlled by the charger) and current (consumed by the device).

MagSafe2 is not Power Delivery spec - the adapter probably adjusts the voltage to match what a MagSafe device requires if the USB-C charger can't provide the voltage. Or maybe the adapter doesn't need to adjust the voltage spec because the battery can use a range of voltages that overlaps one of the Power deliver spec choices?

now I see: I neglected to note that I also ordered one of these:

USB C Female to Magnetic 2 T Tip Charging Cable Converter for Mag-Safe 2 T Tip for McBook Pro 13/15 inch for McBook air 11/13 inch(After Late 2012 Models)

USB C Female to Magnetic 2 T Tip Charging Cable Converter for Magnetic 2 T Tip for Pro 13/15 inch for air 11/13 inch(After Late 2012 Models)

USB C Female to Magnetic 2 T Tip Charging Cable Converter for Magnetic 2 T Tip for Pro 13/15 inch for air 11/13 inch(After Late 2012 Models)

www.amazon.com

…which itself requires USB-C PD, and states it WILL work with PD USB-C 20V, at 61W / 65W / 87W / 96W / 100W / 130W.

So the above adaptor does the job of negotiating with the USB PD charger based on the requirements coming from the MagSafe2 port on the MacBook Pro.

So it seems the voltage IS irrelevant.

My cat will never mess with my new cable again! (It’s an Anker USB-C to USB-C 100W BRAIDED):

Anker USB C Cable 100W 10ft, New Nylon USB C to USB C Cable 2.0, Type C Charging Cable Fast Charge for MacBook Pro 2020

Anker USB C Cable 100W 10ft, New Nylon USB C to USB C Cable 2.0, Type C Charging Cable Fast Charge for MacBook Pro 2020, iPad Pro 2020, iPad Air 4, Galaxy S20 Plus S9, Pixel, Switch, LG V20, and More

Model Number: A8758 New Nylon USB-C to USB-C 100W Cable (10 ft) The 100W Max Power Delivery Cable Serious Power With a max output of 100W, this cable can charge anything from phones to laptops. Pair with a 100W USB-C Power Delivery charger to power up a MacBook Pro 16ʺ in just 2 hours. Built to ...

www.amazon.com

Thanks!

 

[joevt]

…which itself requires USB-C PD, and states it WILL work with PD USB-C 20V, at 61W / 65W / 87W / 96W / 100W / 130W.

USB-C PD doesn't go above 20V 5A = 100W. Not sure where 130W comes from.

So the above adaptor does the job of negotiating with the USB PD charger based on the requirements coming from the MagSafe2 port on the MacBook Pro.

So it seems the voltage IS irrelevant.

Let us know with a window capture what the MacBook Pro says about the charging input in the System Information.app in the Power tab. I am curious about the result.
Also, you can get some USB testers to show the voltage and current from the USB-C charger.

How do MBP USB-C/TB ports stack to iPhone/iPad chargers?

I am curious, and I can't seem to find the info - when you plug in your iPhone or iPad in your Mac, it gets charged. It's hard for me to estimate how fast this is (I usually leave them overnight anyway) but I'm curious. Is it closer to those old 5W chargers or to the new 20W ones. I'm talking...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[SMGreenfield]

USB-C PD doesn't go above 20V 5A = 100W. Not sure where 130W comes from.



Let us know with a window capture what the MacBook Pro says about the charging input in the System Information.app in the Power tab. I am curious about the result.
Also, you can get some USB testers to show the voltage and current from the USB-C charger.

How do MBP USB-C/TB ports stack to iPhone/iPad chargers?

I am curious, and I can't seem to find the info - when you plug in your iPhone or iPad in your Mac, it gets charged. It's hard for me to estimate how fast this is (I usually leave them overnight anyway) but I'm curious. Is it closer to those old 5W chargers or to the new 20W ones. I'm talking...

forums.macrumors.com

Here's the window capture of the AC Charger information.

The Apple 96W USB-C PD power brick, plus Anker 100W USB-C to USB-C, plus USB-C to MagSafe2 power adaptor WORKS, and appears to charge my MacBook Pro quickly. However, in the System information Power tab the wattage only shows up as 60W. The standard 87W Apple MagSafe2 power brick will show up at 87W.

It may be that a different USB-C to MageSafe2 adaptor MIGHT show 96W (or max out at 87W). But I'm not sure if the actual charging results would be any different.

 

[reukiodo]

Most of the USB C to MagSafe adapters I've tested only support 60W, even if they claim higher. I can't find it on Amazon anymore, but one which did NOT advertise 85W actually supports 85W.

It differs from most of them by having metal casing on both usb c and MagSafe ends, where most of the others have plastic (or rubber?) on at least the usb c end.

 

[Shrimply Pibbles]

Here's the window capture of the AC Charger information.

View attachment 1810439
The Apple 96W USB-C PD power brick, plus Anker 100W USB-C to USB-C, plus USB-C to MagSafe2 power adaptor WORKS, and appears to charge my MacBook Pro quickly. However, in the System information Power tab the wattage only shows up as 60W. The standard 87W Apple MagSafe2 power brick will show up at 87W.

It may be that a different USB-C to MageSafe2 adaptor MIGHT show 96W (or max out at 87W). But I'm not sure if the actual charging results would be any different.

Howdy! Is this setup still working for you? Have you had any issues with charging?

I’ve already opened and repaired the MagSafe 2 for my A1398 a couple times and the mag end is now fidgety.

It’s a challenging fix, as separating the mag cnx is a giant pita and oft results in damage. I chose to buy the 96W usb c brick, usb c cable, and a c to magsafe adapter and am awaiting arrival.

There is a thread on reddit but it’s mostly about 3rd party bits.

Any feedback is much appreciated!