Should you use multiple ports to charge your MacBook?

With the exception of the MacBook Neo, Apple’s current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro can charge in two ways: MagSafe and USB-C. There’s no right or wrong way to charge these two MacBook models, as both MagSafe and USB-C can support similar charging speeds with the right power adapter. MagSafe may be the better choice in crowded environments to reduce the risk of damage to the laptop from tripping over wires, while USB-C may be more convenient, as it’s the connector most smartphones use for charging. But since you can connect both a MagSafe cable and a USB-C cable to a MacBook Air or Pro, you may be wondering if you can increase charging speeds by using both connectors simultaneously.

You may also be wondering if it is safe to connect both ports to a charger. Good news and bad news: It’s possible to securely connect MagSafe and USB-C to power, but the laptop will only choose one port to charge. Apple addresses this scenario in a support document, explaining that a MacBook charges through a single port when connected to multiple power sources. The software will automatically choose the connection that provides the most power. This should ensure that the laptop charges as quickly as possible. The same document explicitly notes that “connecting a multi-port charging solution, whether MagSafe or USB-C, does not charge your Mac any faster.” Accidentally using a multiport power adapter to connect the USB-C and MagSafe cables to the MacBook would not damage the laptop. The device would charge safely using the port that provides the most power.

Since MagSafe and USB-C can support similar charging speeds, it doesn’t matter which cable you use with your MacBook (with one exception, detailed below). What matters most is purchasing the right power adapter to enable the fastest charging. This is even more important if you plan to use multiport adapters that can charge laptops and smartphones simultaneously. You’ll want to connect the cable to the port on the adapter that offers the highest power.

You will need a 70W power adapter for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air. The 14-inch MacBook Pro needs a 96W charger for the fastest charging speeds. Finally, 16-inch MacBook Pro models require 140W chargers. 16-inch laptops manufactured in 2023 or later also need a USB-C cable supporting 240W of power to experience the same maximum charging speed as MagSafe. Otherwise, USB-C charging will be slower.

The MacBook Air 2022 (or later) and MacBook Pro 2021 (or later) will reach up to 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes via MagSafe or USB-C, provided the power adapter requirements above are met, regardless of laptop type or screen size. It’s important to note that you can safely charge a MacBook Air with an adapter that supports more than the recommended wattage of 70W. The laptop will still charge at up to 70W thanks to the USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) protocol, which allows the device to request the appropriate power from the charger. Likewise, you can use a slower charger, but the MacBook may indicate that it’s using a slower solution in the Settings app. In this scenario, reaching 50% will take more than 30 minutes.

The above charging speeds and power requirements also apply to Apple’s newest laptops, including the M5 MacBook Air and various MacBook Pro models (M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max), as of October 2026. Consumers should check their exact MacBook model to find specific details on charging speeds and requirements. For example, the MacBook Neo can charge at a minimum of 20W via USB-C.

But users need to remember one important factor before worrying about getting the fastest loading speeds from their laptop. Apple’s M series MacBooks offer all-day battery life. That’s up to 16 hours for the MacBook Neo, up to 18 hours for the MacBook Air, and up to 24 hours for the MacBook Pro. The 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 has a 24-hour rating, while the 16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max hits 22 hours in Apple’s testing. Real-world usage may also affect battery life, especially under heavy workloads. If your MacBook lasts most of the day, you probably won’t have to worry about charging speeds most of the time. Plugging in the computer at night should be enough.

Finally, Apple rates several MacBook batteries up to 1,000 cycles. This means that the battery status should not drop below 80% until you have completed this many full charge cycles. If you were to consume 100% of your battery’s energy every day, you would reach 1,000 in about three years. But if you use the laptop while it’s plugged in, it may take even longer. Until then, you may want to upgrade to a newer, more powerful MacBook rather than replacing the battery.