Charging M1 MBA using a 5V 2.4A charger/power bank?

[git-anish]

Has anyone successfully charged their M1 MacBook Air using a 5V 2.4A charger? or even just kept it alive?

I know I can buy a power bank specifically designed to follow the USB-C power spec but I wanted to ask if anyone's been able to keep their M1 MBA powered or just at the same charge level using the older 5V 2.4A chargers/power banks


I plugged mine in this morning and I was able to use the MBA for 45-50mins while it drained from 10% to 5%. Coconut Battery displayed a charge speed of 4.53W but the battery icon in the menu bar said "Plugged in: not charging"

 

[git-anish]

answering my own question here, they are more than sufficient to keep the MBA alive/discharging very slowly during use.

They will also charge the MBA at 5W if it isn't in use.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't see the point of wanting to do this. If Macbooks could safely be used (on a regular basis) with a tiny 5w charger, I think Apple would have included one, instead of the much larger charger made to handle the load.

 

[git-anish]

I just happen to have one of the older power banks laying around, I can use it to extend the battery life of my MacBook to 24-36 hours. you can see in the screenshot the power bank lowered discharge rate to ~ 50% when it was plugged in. More than worth it on a long flight if its the only power source you have.

 

[FrozenShivers]

I don't see the point of wanting to do this. If Macbooks could safely be used (on a regular basis) with a tiny 5w charger, I think Apple would have included one, instead of the much larger charger made to handle the load.

Well it's pretty obvious why they didn't do that, it's due to charging time. USB-C with PD will give it as much power as is safe to do so, so what you've said is incorrect as it's fine to charge with higher rated or lower rated chargers. Please don't spread baseless misinformation.

 

[rowanshole]

I don't see the point of wanting to do this. If Macbooks could safely be used (on a regular basis) with a tiny 5w charger, I think Apple would have included one, instead of the much larger charger made to handle the load.

Really?