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MagSafe is a connector and associated protocols for charging MacBook and iPhone devices. The name is used for two variants: a small, horizontal connector with pins, used on most MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models, and a large disc-shaped puck, used on recent iPhone models. The name refers to the connection being secured by magnets, rather than mechanical friction.

MagSafe and MagSafe 2

MagSafe was first introduced with the original MacBook Pro, at the 10 January 2006 (2006-01-10) Apple Event. It was pitched as a safety feature, such that tripping on the power cable would safely detach from the computer, protecting the device from damage. The MacBook makes contact with the power source through pogo pins. The pinout is symmetrical, allowing the connector to be attached in either orientation.

The connector introduces a 1-wire control pin, used to identify the connector's serial number and maximum wattage output. It additionally allows the SMC to control the LEDs on the connector, which glow orange while charging, and green when fully charged. Although MagSafe cables are permanently attached to their corresponding power adapter, the 1-wire circuitry is found in the connector itself, not the power adapter.

At WWDC 2012, Apple introduced MagSafe 2, releasing it with MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) and MacBook Air (Mid 2012). Its only change is in physical shape, with its height reduced and width increased, to allow for these new MacBook models to be thinner. An adapter from MagSafe to MagSafe 2 was made available, allowing original MagSafe power adapters to charge a MacBook featuring MagSafe 2.

MagSafe and MagSafe 2 were not licensed for third-party use.

Pinout

MagSafe 1 and 2 pinout
  1. GND
  2. V+
  3. 1-wire control
  4. V+
  5. GND

MagSafe 3

With the MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015), Apple made the decision to remove the MagSafe connector in favor of charging via the new USB-C connector. This change carried across to the MacBook Pro (2016) and MacBook Air (2017), discontinuing MagSafe entirely from the Mac product line.

The feature re-emerged as MagSafe 3, introduced with MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) and MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021), and later added to MacBook Air (M2, 2022). It makes use of the USB Power Delivery standard.

MagSafe 3 is not licensed for third-party use.

MagSafe (wireless charging)

The wireless charging variant of MagSafe does not share any similarities to the MacBook connector, instead using the Qi standard, along with an extended MagSafe protocol. The MagSafe protocol extends Qi with support for up to 15 W charging (from 7.5 W on Qi-compatible chargers), and extra near-field communication functionality to transmit the device model, serial number, and other information to the iPhone. A series of magnets around the circumference of the disc-shaped puck ensure optimal alignment of both charging coils.

The MagSafe wireless charging protocol was licensed to some accessory partners, including Belkin, Mophie, Nomad, and OtterBox. Non-licensed devices use the MagSafe form factor, but only the base Qi standard. Accessories such as wallets use MagSafe merely for its magnetic properties, and do not provide any electronic functionality.

With the release of the iPhone 16 series, the Qi standard was upgraded to Qi2, based on the first-generation MagSafe wireless charging protocol. It also introduces the second generation of MagSafe, increasing the maximum power output to 25 W.

List of MagSafe wireless charging accessories