You May Be Upgrading Your MacBook Cable for a Reason
I write a lot about updates because they are important and interesting. Beyond new features, bug fixes, and security fixes, every update is an invitation to dive in and see what’s new. However, that’s not exactly the case with Apple’s latest update: the company has released a new update for your MacBook’s MagSafe cable .
Right after Apple’s latest updates for your iPhone and Mac, this odd USB-C cable update is MagSafe 3. The update seems to have been first spotted by Twitter user @aaron613 . YouTube creator Aaron Zollo later confirmed that the firmware version of the update was 3.1.12 with build number 10M1543. Forget all this, because it doesn’t matter, since the device being upgraded is a wire.
Apple, you need to explain something. Why did you release a firmware update for the cable? It’s not even for the power adapter. This update is specifically for the USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable . Perhaps charging is now more efficient? Maybe the charging indicator is now more reliable? Perhaps Apple is actively mocking us and updated the cable simply because it can. I can respect it. I just want to know for sure .
Unlike other updates, Apple never officially acknowledged its existence, so there are no release notes detailing the reason for the patch. We know, for example, that iOS 16.3.1 and macOS 13.2.1 exist primarily to patch zero-day security vulnerabilities that actively put your devices at risk. Unless someone has jailbroken a MacBook via a MagSafe cable, I doubt this is the reason for this confusing update.
Keep in mind that this applies to the MagSafe 3 cable that works with the latest MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. If your MacBook only charges using USB-C or is using an older MagSafe standard (2015 or earlier), this update will not apply.
How to update USB-C cable – MagSafe 3
Upgrading your MacBook’s MagSage cable is a delicate process and should only be done by a trained professional with experience. However, if you’re willing to take the risk, you can try updating your cable at home by following these instructions:
- Take the USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable and connect it to the USB-C power adapter.
- Plug the adapter into a power outlet.
- Connect the MagSafe cable to your MacBook.
- Ready.
It’s right. All you need to do to update the MagSafe cable is plug it into your MacBook. The update process happens automatically and in the background, so many of us did not even suspect that we had to start with this. You can check the firmware version of your cable in the Power section of the system information under AC Power, which can be accessed by holding down the Option key, clicking on the Apple logo, and selecting System Information.
If you’ve been charging your MacBook with a MagSafe cable since Tuesday, you’ve probably already updated the cable. However, if you charged via USB-C, give MagSafe a chance to release an update. Or don’t use and never use the cable again. It is possible that sometime in the future the manifolds will work for MagSafe 3 cables that have not been updated to this firmware version. Maybe that’s the point of the update.
[ Mackworld ]