Fast charging is a feature that Apple introduced with the iPhone 8. It allows you to recharge your device faster than ever before. Fast charging requires a specific power adapter, but what if you already have a MacBook Pro charger? In this article, we’ll explore which chargers are compatible with your iPhone and iPad and what you can use to fast charge your phone.
Jump To:
- What Is Fast Charging for iPad & iPhone?
- What Do You Need to Fast Charge Your Devices?
- Can You Use a MacBook Pro Charger with an iPhone or iPad?
What Is Fast Charging for iPad & iPhone?
As the name implies, fast charging allows you to recharge your iPhone or iPad quickly. It can restore your device’s battery to 50% in about 30 minutes. Contrary to popular belief, fast charging does not hurt your phone battery. This can be especially useful if you’re in a hurry and need to charge your phone before you leave. If you would like to learn about more useful iPhone and iPad features, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day!
What Do You Need to Fast Charge Your Devices?
The first thing you need to fast charge your iPhone or iPad is a USB-C to Lightning cable. USB-A to Lightning cables will not be able to fast charge. The second thing you will need is either an Apple fast charging block or an Apple USB-C power adapter with the right wattage. You will need a power adapter with at least 20 watts or more to fast charge the iPhone 12 and later. For earlier iPhone models, you can use an 18W charger.
For iPads, the 20W USB-C power adapter will charge your device faster than the standard charger. However, if you would like to optimize the charging time of your iPad, a 30W power adapter is recommended.
Can You Use a MacBook Pro Adapter with an iPhone or iPad?
The short answer is yes, you can use a MacBook Pro charger to fast charge your iPhone or iPad. Since Apple began using USB-C power adapters with the 2016 MacBook Pro, you can use this power adapter to fast charge your iPhone or iPad. According to Apple, the following devices are compatible with their USB-C MacBook Pro chargers:
- iPhone 8 & newer
- iPad mini (5th generation & newer)
- iPad Air (3rd generation & newer)
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation & newer)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation & newer)
As stated previously, you will also need a USB-C to Lightning cable to use fast charging. So if you already have a MacBook Pro with a compatible charger and cable, there's no need to purchase any extra accessories to use fast charging! You can also use most MacBook power adapters to fast charge your Apple Watch as well, as long as you have an Apple USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable. Next, check out how to charge your iPhone or iPad with a Mac!
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