Anyone know if the new MacBook Pros can charge from an old Magsafe 2 charger? It is hard to tell from the photos, but the physical 3 and 2 plugs at least looks similar, as opposed to 2 vs. 1 which were totally different.
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Magsafe 3 to 2 compatibility?
- Thread starter dacreativeguy
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They are different dimensions. Also, MagSafe 3 likely communicates power needs and voltages via USB-PD and wouldn't speak the same protocol as MagSafe 1/2.
I am still hoping in future adapter so I can still use my wonderful Apple Thunderbolt display 27 inches.
i have no intentions to throw it away
i have no intentions to throw it away
I came here to ask about this same issue – would anyone know about prospects for such an adapter? Would be great if someone would start selling one.
That is very unlikely to happen as the new magsafe heavily relies on communication with the power supply as it is using PD3.1. Old power supplies cannot handle this communication and thus will not work. There is a video online somewhere where they take apart the new 140W power supply. There are special micro controllers in there for this communication.
Thanks for this insight! Too bad, but makes sense. I guess I'll just head out to buy an extra adapter then.
Or, if you need a dock, then get a dock that can power your mac. I am using a OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock and my 16" MBP is happily running with that over USB-C and reporting it is a 96W charger.
I wonder if anyone (e.g. a YouTuber) tried to use MagSafe 2 on the new MacBook Pro or MagSafe 3 on one of the pre-2016 models? Seems like a fun experiment to me.
No. The pins are different. Merging power adaptor pins through an adaptor is a bad idea.
I'm exactly in the same situation, been using Late 2013 MacBook pro with the ms1 to ms2 adapter. Now I have ordered 16inch M1 max, sadly now I will have to run one more cable to power it.
Magsafe 1 and 2 are electrically compatible, and Apple sells an adapter for them. A few others and I have had success physically modifying the end connector to work on both 1 and 2 without adapter. I have only modified MS2 connector to also fit MS1 by shaving the sides down. I have not yet tried modifying the MS1 connector to fit MS2, as it would require a lot more shaving of the top and bottom of the connector.
For MS3, I cannot tell if the 5 pins are the same size and spacing as MS1/MS2 pins. If I can source an MS3 charging cable for cheap, I will shave the ends to fit MS1 and see if a few different MacBooks can detect various chargers - Apple and non-Apple.
For MS3, I cannot tell if the 5 pins are the same size and spacing as MS1/MS2 pins. If I can source an MS3 charging cable for cheap, I will shave the ends to fit MS1 and see if a few different MacBooks can detect various chargers - Apple and non-Apple.
Looking at https://appleinsider.com/articles/2...test-macbook-pros-everything-you-need-to-know it seems that depth has also changed along with height and width.
If they are all electrically compatible, then it could be possible to have a single connector to fit all 3 styles.
I think shaving the MS2 cable connector to also fit MS1 (ends) and MS3 (top/bottom) would seem to be the least amount of effort overall, as it has barely enough depth to still make contact with MS1 MacBooks, while requiring less shaving to also fit MS3 MacBooks.
If they are all electrically compatible, then it could be possible to have a single connector to fit all 3 styles.
I think shaving the MS2 cable connector to also fit MS1 (ends) and MS3 (top/bottom) would seem to be the least amount of effort overall, as it has barely enough depth to still make contact with MS1 MacBooks, while requiring less shaving to also fit MS3 MacBooks.
That sounds like a pretty sure way to generate magic smoke. And if you are lucky it comes from the connector and not from the inside of the computer!
You could use a USB-C cable for charging the M1 and then pop this USB-C to MagSafe-2 adapter on for the 2013. I have the exact same laptops and this work well.
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So far, I've only modified some of these:
USB C to Magsafe 2 Charging Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T6QPGVB/
But after looking at the female usbc to male magsafe2 cable, I'm now tempted to pick up this more efficient adapter design and try modifying it:
APEXSUN Magsafe 2 T-Tip USB C Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09F3ND4KM/
USB C to Magsafe 2 Charging Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T6QPGVB/
But after looking at the female usbc to male magsafe2 cable, I'm now tempted to pick up this more efficient adapter design and try modifying it:
APEXSUN Magsafe 2 T-Tip USB C Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09F3ND4KM/
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
I have a solution (that I haven't tested yet though):
a) There are Magsafe 2 -> USB C PD adapters, you can find them on Aliexpress and Amazon. These take the power from a Magsafe 2 connector, and provide DC/DC conversion to comply with the USB C PD standard. Commonly available versions are 65W or 45W.
b) I assume that the Magsafe 3 cable also works with 3rd-party power supplies, as long as they support the USB C PD standard.
c) The Macbook surely also supports charging over USB C, albeit at a lower power.
a+b or a+c:
... should be able to charge any Magsafe 3 or Thunderbolt Macbook with a power of 45-65W.
Note: There may be more powerful adapters available but I haven't explicitly searched for them.
a) There are Magsafe 2 -> USB C PD adapters, you can find them on Aliexpress and Amazon. These take the power from a Magsafe 2 connector, and provide DC/DC conversion to comply with the USB C PD standard. Commonly available versions are 65W or 45W.
b) I assume that the Magsafe 3 cable also works with 3rd-party power supplies, as long as they support the USB C PD standard.
c) The Macbook surely also supports charging over USB C, albeit at a lower power.
a+b or a+c:
... should be able to charge any Magsafe 3 or Thunderbolt Macbook with a power of 45-65W.
Note: There may be more powerful adapters available but I haven't explicitly searched for them.
Compatible with Magsafe to USB C Adapter | AnyWatt | Compatible with MacBook Pro/Laptop/Switch – [USB-IF Certified] USB-PD Type C Converter Connecter Cable Phone Chromebook Nintendo Switch
AnyWatt is the world's first Magsafe 1 & Magsafe 2 to USB Type C power adapter What does it do? - AnyWatt adapter lets you reuse your old Magsafe 1 and Magsafe 2 chargers with your new USB Type C devices What is it compatible with? AnyWatt adapter will power and charge most USB C devices such as:...
www.amazon.co.uk
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I wouldn't suggest you trying it. Possible different pin-out connections mean disaster in electrical terms should you try it.
Photos from my dremel modifications
One is a 27 LED Cinema Display MagSafe1 connector dremeled down the long sides to also fit into MagSafe2
The other is a USB C to MagSafe2 cable dremeled down the short sides to also fit MagSafe1
I've tested with MBA2009, MB2009, MBP2008, MBP2010, and MBP2015 and both cables work with all Macs.
One is a 27 LED Cinema Display MagSafe1 connector dremeled down the long sides to also fit into MagSafe2
The other is a USB C to MagSafe2 cable dremeled down the short sides to also fit MagSafe1
I've tested with MBA2009, MB2009, MBP2008, MBP2010, and MBP2015 and both cables work with all Macs.
Hello, I have broke my MacBook Pro Retina 15" mid2015 power entry trying an MagSafe-2 to USB-C cable adapter. I use a "Satechi Desktop Charger Pro USB-C 108W - ST-TC108WM" an the cable adapter. It only seems to work when the MacBook was turn-off, otherways it was continuosly connecting and desconecting the power delivery(green-orange-green-orange-green- ....). With the MacBook turn-off it could be fully charge a couple of times, but my surprise cames when the original charger didn't light anymore and stop charging. Something inside the MacBook have been broken. I try to restore SMC, etc...but anything didn't work. Now I can only charge the MacBook when it is turn-off and with the cable adapter. I have to send to repair. My advise is not to use any 3th chargers with USB-C adapters. My question here is if this USB-C adapters can be used with the original MagSafe USB-C power chargers.
Here's a side-by side comparison of the Magsafe 3(left) and Magsafe 2(right) connectors...
From the same page that came from, I found this tidbit:
I know from personal testing that the 14" M2 MBP can also charge over its USB-C ports via a USB-C charger that supports PD, so I'd assume that you could take the Magsafe 3 cable and use it with a third party USB-C PD charger as well.
From the same page that came from, I found this tidbit:
I know from personal testing that the 14" M2 MBP can also charge over its USB-C ports via a USB-C charger that supports PD, so I'd assume that you could take the Magsafe 3 cable and use it with a third party USB-C PD charger as well.
While all MagSafe versions (1, 2, and 3) work with 20V USB C PD chargers and the proper USB C to MagSafe cable, the MS3 doesn't seem to be compatible with MS1/2 as not only is the length, width, and depth different, but sadly also the pin spacing as well, something Apple didn't need to do but did it anyway.
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Looks like the EU should have stepped in a long time ago and forced the change to USB-C and make it apply to laptops as well.
3 Different connectors... jesus. WHY?