How Can I Charge My Old Macbook Pro Without a Charger?

Have you ever left your laptop charger at home while traveling? Luckily, there are still ways you can charge up your MacBook.

Keep in mind that these methods should only be used as short-term fixes in emergencies.

1. Use a USB-C charger

If you find yourself without your MacBook Pro charger on you, don’t panic; there are still ways you can charge up. Android device chargers or USB 3.0 to USB-C converter cables are readily available at most electronics stores and provide an effective solution for keeping your laptop charged up until you return home and recharge it properly.

The most widely-used method of charging any battery-operated device is with a power bank, or portable battery pack, known as a “power bank”. Although useful in emergency situations when nothing else will do, this form of charging should only be used as an interim solution as prolonged use may damage your MacBook battery and take longer than a MagSafe charger to recharge.

Also an option is connecting your MacBook to a PC through a USB-C to USB-C converter cable – typically used with Android phones and newer Apple devices; though older Macs might work too. Though charging may take slightly longer with such an adaptor, it should still provide sufficient backup if an emergency situation arises.

MacBook Pros feature an innovative charging port called the MagSafe port, located on the right side of their laptops and looks different than standard USB ports. Its magnetic connector snaps securely into place for charging purposes – you can find this port in any MacBook Pro sold prior to 2016.

Without the use of a MagSafe charger, a USB-C power adapter can also charge your MacBook Pro at full speed. Just ensure it supports Power Delivery or else full charging speed will not be achieved.

Use of a USB-C phone charger can also work well and is relatively straightforward; simply ensure the charger has at least a PD 3.1 rating for optimal use.

2. Use a power bank

Power banks have become a convenient way of charging devices on the go, including MacBooks. However, it’s important to remember that power banks were never intended for this use and could potentially damage its internal battery – therefore only use this method if there are no other available solutions. Furthermore, make sure your power bank meets UL certification and offers USB-C Power Delivery port, since MacBook Pros require more power than most power banks can supply.

Your MacBook can also be charged using an alternative method: connecting it to another computer using a USB-C to USB-C converter cable. While this may work as an emergency solution, long term use should be avoided due to potential overheating of the converter cable which could damage its user.

If your Macbook has stopped charging, the USB port could have become blocked with dirt or debris. To address this, clean out the port before rebooting the computer; this should reset hardware and restore USB connections. Furthermore, check your power source to make sure everything is operating as expected.

One possible solution may be disabling the Optimised Battery Charging feature in System Preferences menu – this may stop overcharging of MacBook, possibly solving its overcharging issue and possibly helping solve other related problems as well. You’ll find this setting under Power & Energy settings.

If your MacBook Pro won’t charge, take a close look at its power cord. Make sure it is plugged in tightly, with no loose connections; any damaged cord should be replaced immediately. Switch power outlets; some outlets may not supply sufficient voltage for charging your machine. Lastly, ask friends or coworkers for chargers they may be willing to lend you; check local schools; if all else fails borrow one from someone.

3. Use a USB-C phone charger

When in a pinch and you cannot find your MacBook charger, don’t panic – there are still ways you can charge your laptop. One effective alternative would be using a power bank; these handy portable chargers are now widely used across electronic stores or online shops and can even work for MacBooks!

One alternative method for charging any MacBook with USB-C ports is using a USB-C phone charger, although this process will take more time to charge up. Simply connect it first to your computer, and then to an outside power source.

Over time, using this method may cause your MacBook to suffer damage as the charger won’t provide sufficient power to quickly charge it up. Therefore, only use it if absolutely necessary.

If your MacBook doesn’t charge without using a charger, check for dust in its power port as this could prevent its connectors from making contact. Resetting its System Management Controller chip (SMC) might also help.

Connect your MacBook Pro to a PC through USB-C. This requires purchasing a cable that converts from USB 3.0 to USB-C, available at many electronic retailers; as well as having access to a PC equipped with an extra USB-C port.

Finally, if your MacBook Pro runs low on battery power and you have no charger nearby, solar charging could also be an option to consider. While this method might work during sunny conditions, it won’t likely work when caught in an unpredictable storm or snowstorm.

4. Use a USB-C to USB-C converter cable

With a USB-C to USB-C converter cable, it’s possible to charge your Macbook Pro without using its original charger. These cables are often used for charging Android phones; however, they also work well for charging Macbooks. Unfortunately, however, these cords won’t provide as much power as MagSafe chargers do and may not be as reliable; nevertheless they may provide a viable alternative solution if you don’t own one already or wish not to buy one.

One way to charge your MacBook without needing a charger is using a power bank. Any USB-C compatible power bank should work just fine with it – just ensure that its capacity meets that of the MacBook and that it supports USB 3.0. While this method won’t provide instantaneous results, it will still serve its purpose when there is an emergency.

Connect your MacBook to a PC is also possible using a special USB 3.0 to USB-C converter cable that you can find at most electronics stores and is fairly cheap. These cables feature one end with a USB-C connection and the other with MagSafe connectors allowing you to charge your MacBook from PC.

If your MacBook won’t charge, try to reset its System Management Controller (SMC). This should reset the hardware that controls its power, potentially solving your charging issue; but it may cause more harm than good – please note this method might not always be successful and may even create more complications!

However, should your charger become broken or misplaced there are a variety of ways to charge your MacBook without one – each has its own pros and cons. While buying a replacement charger is ultimately best solution if this occurs. However, these other methods could still prove helpful as backup plans.