Third party chargers?

[definitive]

I got a third party 45w USB-C charger off of Amazon for my iPhone. The phone detects it correctly, and everything works fine. I use it with an Anker 100w cable. I tried the charger on my M3 MBA using MagSafe and the Anker USB-C cable, but neither of them charge the laptop. It just shows that it's working off of power outlet, but not charging. When I use the cables with the regular Apple 30w charger, the laptop charges correctly.

Is there a special charger that I should look for that works with MacBooks?

 

[ignatius345]

I've had fine luck with good quality chargers from brands I recognize like Anker. Watch out for totally generic no-name Amazon specials. If you get a bad one, failure to charge could be the least of your problems. 🔥

 

[SnowPenguin]

Check the voltage of the Apple charger, it could be higher than your 3rd-party one.

 

[SmOgER]

I got a third party 45w USB-C charger off of Amazon for my iPhone. The phone detects it correctly, and everything works fine. I use it with an Anker 100w cable. I tried the charger on my M3 MBA using MagSafe and the Anker USB-C cable, but neither of them charge the laptop. It just shows that it's working off of power outlet, but not charging. When I use the cables with the regular Apple 30w charger, the laptop charges correctly.

Is there a special charger that I should look for that works with MacBooks?

Which exact charger is that? Sounds weird.

I've got Baseus 100W adapter from Amazon with 3 ports, and that charges everything for me just fine. Can even charge my MacBook, Windows laptop and my iPhone all at the same time from it if I want lol. Though doing this obviously won't charge Windows machine very fast, I mostly use it more like iPhone + Macbook and then some accessory/simple device like headphones or a vape etc.

 

[DENNISAMCAFEE]

Take a look at the Satechi products. From chargers to hubs, it's all good!

 

[definitive]

Which exact charger is that? Sounds weird.

I've got Baseus 100W adapter from Amazon with 3 ports, and that charges everything for me just fine. Can even charge my MacBook, Windows laptop and my iPhone all at the same time from it if I want lol. Though doing this obviously won't charge Windows machine very fast, I mostly use it more like iPhone + Macbook and then some accessory/simple device like headphones or a vape etc.

It's a Chinese brand charger, which I got from Amazon. 45w, but it doesn't specifically list laptops in its description, only phones, including the 17 Pro, which charges very fast with it, but the MacBook is a no-go. I've come back to check its latest reviews, and people are having the same results: Doesn't work with laptops.

 

[kitKAC]

Open System Information, under Hardware, Power, you can see how much power your Mac is getting from the charger under "AC Charger Information."

 

[SmOgER]

It's a Chinese brand charger, which I got from Amazon. 45w, but it doesn't specifically list laptops in its description, only phones, including the 17 Pro, which charges very fast with it, but the MacBook is a no-go. I've come back to check its latest reviews, and people are having the same results: Doesn't work with laptops.

I doubt it's actually able to output 45W then. iPhone will charge with whatever, even 5W, but not the laptop. Always buy chargers from reasonably reputable brands...

 

[definitive]

Open System Information, under Hardware, Power, you can see how much power your Mac is getting from the charger under "AC Charger Information."

under system bar it shows "battery not charging" under system info it shows "charging: yes - 45w" for both cables.

after some time the magsafe cable starts to charge and shows the lightning bolt icon in the battery icon. the usb-c port doesn't seem to charge, and has the plug icon in the battery icon.

 

[okkibs]

Can you show a picture of the charger where the safety symbols on it are clearly visible? I suspect you might have gotten a chinese no-name charger that violates regulatory requirements and might not be safe and thus not allowed to be sold in the States in the first place.

Macbooks work with virtually every USB-C charger that supports Power Delivery. All brand name chargers that have a USB-C port support it. The only way your charger doesn't work is if it's bottom of the barrel bad. And then I would really reconsider if it's safe to use.

Some of these chargers that lack essential safety can fail in a way that touching the USB plug is like touching the wall outlet directly carrying a risk of bodily injury. Not to mention it would fry and destroy your Macbook.

I don't want to sound alarmist but you haven't given us any info about the charger so I can only assume the worst.