Can I Use a MacBook Type-C Charger to Charge an iPhone 12?

Yes, you can use your MacBook Type-C charger to charge your iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 supports USB-C Power Delivery, allowing it to charge quickly when connected to a compatible USB-C charger. To make the setup work, you will need a USB-C to Lightning cable.

Using a USB-C MacBook charger for iPhone compatibility is entirely fine. USB-C was created with the goal of one adapter for everything, ensuring that almost any device can be charged with a single type of charger. If your iPhone supports Power Delivery (PD), then charging should be significantly faster.

What About Other Devices?

It’s worth noting that not all Android devices use Universal Power Delivery. Many manufacturers, such as OPPO, Realme, and OnePlus, have their own charging technologies like SuperVOOC, DART, and WARP, respectively. These proprietary charging technologies do not guarantee the same speed and efficiency when used with each other.

Understanding USB-C Charging Negotiation

The process of charging through USB-C involves negotiation between the charging source (adapter) and the device. Here's how it works:

Normal Device or Phone (No Fast-Charging) Adapter: "Here is 5V for you." Device: "Ok thanks." Fast-Charging Device and Adapter Adapter: "Here is 5V for you." Negotiation started Device: "Ok can you go up to 9V?" Adapter: "Sure here you go." Device: "Um how about 12V?" Adapter: "Okay." Device: "Thanks." Fast-Charging Device with Non-Fast-Charging Adapter Adapter: "Here is 5V for you." Device: "Ok can you go up to 9V?" Adapter: "Sorry I can't do that." Device: "Ok then 5V works fine."

In this context, "fast charging" refers to not only the fast charging feature of phones but also to devices such as most laptops or MacBook that support higher voltage.

Conclusion

While a MacBook Type-C charger can be used to charge an iPhone 12, it's important to know that the charging speed may not be optimal. However, it is safe and useful for a variety of devices, ensuring a universal charging solution.

Remember, always ensure that the charger and cable you are using are compatible with your device to avoid any potential damage.