Magsafe 1 powered By USB C Universal Adapter Method

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Using an old MacBook Pro 2012 Unibody as my main computer, I got tired of logging around the 80W power supply. I wondered, “how I could lighten my carrying bundle (computer and power supply). As my company's computer and many PC (at least in Europe) have USB C male outputs I wondered if USB C to Magsafe 1 cable existed. Online, I found a cable that can be sold as a spare part to a USB C Magsafe 1 power supply (see guide parts). On its own, the USB C to Magsafe 1 (20-25 USD/Eur) consistently provides a charge with the computer either on or off when plugged into a USB C docking stations found at work. This was already a good start.

1 year after starting to write this guide, I recently found that I can use a USB-C  external battery pack (see guide parts) to double my battery life and charge the computer.

For situations where the USB-C docking station or battery pack is not available I purchased a female to female USB C adapter (10 USD/EUR). This (I hope) will allow me to get power from: (1) the commonly found PC USB C Power supplied ---> the USB C-Magsafe 1 cable plugged into my computer (2) .

Once I find compatible charging units at destination, I no longer carry around the original heavier 80W; that stays at home.

Unfortunately, using an Ipad Pro (or iphone) wall sockets does not give noticeable charging.

Last updates Oct 30, 2023

Conclusie

A few observations:

1) Using a docking station with USB-C output always charges the MacBook even when the MacBook is on.

2) Using the external battery pack with a high PD value (probably greater than 85W) can maintain your computer alive almost 2X longer than with the normal battery pack. If you buy an external battery system try and find one that has passed through charging. This will allow you to simultaneously charge the battery, charge the computer’s battery and continue using the Macbook.

3) Using a 3rd party 65W USB-C charger and the female to female converter you can charge the computer but your chances of success are  >95% if you turn off the computer and leave it off before you plug it in to charge. If you decide to boot your computer while it's plugged into this system chances of success drop drastically and I have not figured out why. But having the computer off with this system plugged in and then booting is always better than plugging in while the system is already on.

4) I have read that USB-C has a direction to the power.

5) I have noted that connecting all components along the "chain of cables" before plugging into the wall can positively influence the outcome.

6) One may need to try all directions of the female to female converter.

7) Testing the system while you are awake for at least 20min will improve the chances of successful overnight charging. If I don't completely turn off the computer, it can stop charging after a while.