Apple Confirms 29W Power Adapter Incompatible With MagSafe Duo Charger

Apple today shared a new support document explaining how to use the new MagSafe Duo Charger with iPhone 12 models and the Apple Watch, clarifying some details about the accessory following its release earlier this month.

magsafe duo iphone apple watch
Notably, the support document confirms that Apple's older 29W USB-C power adapter is not compatible with the MagSafe Duo, presumably because that adapter does not support the necessary 5V/3A or 9V/1.67A power ratings. As a result, when the MagSafe Duo is connected to the 29W adapter, it can only charge either an iPhone or Apple Watch, rather than both devices simultaneously.

Apple discontinued the 29W adapter in 2018, replacing it with a 30W version that is fully compatible with the MagSafe Duo.

The support document also notes that the MagSafe Duo's hinge area might wrinkle over time if kept in the folded, closed position, especially if the charger is left in a very hot environment, such as inside of a car on a hot day:

As with most soft materials, the covering of accessories might experience normal wear over time. The hinge area of your MagSafe Duo Charger might wrinkle over time if kept in the folded position. Leaving your MagSafe Duo Charger in a very hot environment (like the inside of a car on a hot day) in the folded position might lead to more visible, deeper wrinkles in that area. This doesn't affect the functional performance of the accessory.

As with the singular MagSafe Charger, the MagSafe Duo is limited to up to 12W of power delivery when used with the iPhone 12 mini. And when Lightning accessories such as Apple's EarPods are connected to any iPhone 12 model, charging with the MagSafe Duo is limited to 7.5W to comply with regulatory standards.

The rest of the document reiterates many details that Apple already shared about MagSafe charging, and is worth a glance for new MagSafe Duo owners.

Top Rated Comments

zunamo Avatar
37 months ago
Everybody already has the right power brick at home, right?
Score: 65 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J___o___h___n Avatar
37 months ago
Why’s this only being said now? Did they really not know prior to launch?

The Duo should have come with a power adapter - simple.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacDevil7334 Avatar
37 months ago
Crazy that it doesn’t come with any brick at all for the price Apple is charging.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
miniyou64 Avatar
37 months ago
Well I suppose they could have alleviated these type of issues by INCLUDING A 5¢ charger with a $129 device that REQUIRES a charger.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
37 months ago
So how is more packaging and separate shipping, for something that basically no one has, good for the environment again?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Analog Kid Avatar
37 months ago

that adapter does not support the necessary 5V/3A or 9V/1.67A power ratings
The USB PD committee is going to need to come up with some sort of color coding or alphabet scheme to help people understand all the permutations... All of these different voltage/current options is going to really become a problem.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...