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Reports of MacBook Pro 16 charging issues emerge using Apple's new MagSafe 3 cable

Apple's new MagSafe charging is not without its issues on the MacBook Pro 16. (Image source: NotebookCheck)
Apple's new MagSafe charging is not without its issues on the MacBook Pro 16. (Image source: NotebookCheck)
According to reports, Apple's new MagSafe 3 power connector can fail to charge the MacBook Pro 16 when the machine is switched off. Seemingly, the issue does not hinder the MacBook Pro 14, which also supports MagSafe 3.

Apple introduced numerous changes to the MacBook Pro line with the MacBook Pro 14 and new MacBook Pro 16, not least their M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs. Additionally, the pair are Apple's first laptops with 120 Hz displays and its MagSafe 3 port.

MagSafe 3 comes with between 67 W and 140 W chargers, although you could connect the cable to a lower wattage charger thanks to its Type-C end. Incidentally, the MacBook Pro 16 is the first device that ships with the new USB-C Extended Power Range, which allows it to recharge at 140 W.

However, reports are mounting up of MagSafe 3-related issues when recharging Apple's latest 16-inch laptop. Based on Reddit threads, some MacBook Pro 16 machines will not recharge when switched off. While this may be a rare way to recharge a laptop, you would need to do so if the battery is depleted.

As the video below shows, attempting to recharge affected machines causes the MagSafe 3 connector to flash orange intermittently. Typically, the MagSafe 3 connector should remain orange until the battery reaches 100% charge, at which point it will turn green. 

Currently, Apple recommends that people recharge affected machines in sleep mode or connect their MagSafe 3 cable before shutting them down. Theoretically, you could recharge the MacBook Pro 16 via USB Type-C when its battery is depleted, but that is not necessarily ideal. Accordingly, Apple reportedly offered to replace affected machines after other solutions failed to improve the situation.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 11 > Reports of MacBook Pro 16 charging issues emerge using Apple's new MagSafe 3 cable
Alex Alderson, 2021-11-30 (Update: 2024-09- 8)