Using Apple power adapters, cables and duckheads with Apple products

Learn how to use Apple power adapters, cables and duckheads, and what to do if you have a damaged part.

All Apple products – including our power adapters – undergo rigorous testing for safety and reliability, and are designed to meet government safety standards around the world. When used as designed, they safely provide power and recharge the batteries in your Apple products.

Using Apple power adapters

Depending on the model number and your country or region, your Apple product might include some of the following: an AC power adapter, an AC wall adapter (duckhead), a USB AC wall adapter a USB charging cable or an AC power cable. Some examples are pictured below:

Use these tips to keep your power adapters working properly

• Never charge your device when moisture is present, as this can cause fire, electric shock, injury or damage to your Apple product or other property.

• Make sure that you've fully inserted your AC wall adapter ("duckhead") or power cable into your AC adapter before connecting the AC adapter to a power outlet.

• When you unplug a cable from your product, a power source or an AC adapter, hold on to the connector at the end of the cable. Pulling on the cable itself can strain the connector joints or cause breakage.

• If your AC adapter has blades or prongs that fold, make sure that you fold them down for protection when you store the adapter.

• Keep ports and connectors on your AC wall adapter and AC power cable free from foreign objects and debris.

• Make sure that your adapter is used in a well-ventilated area. If used in a poorly ventilated space like near a sofa, under a blanket or on thick carpeting, the adapter might turn off to prevent overheating.

Identifying damaged AC power adapters or cables

If your power adapter, AC wall adapter or AC power cable has been damaged, stop using it. If you’re unsure about whether an accessory is damaged, take it to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider for evaluation, or contact Apple Support.

Signs of damage include but aren’t limited to:

• Any breakage or visible wear on a cable’s outer layer

• Bent, missing, loose or broken AC prongs or blades

• AC blades that won’t lock into place, or that have black marks or other visible damage

• Sparks issuing from somewhere other than the blades of a plug

• Breakage, visible damage or discolouration of the adapter casing

• Popping sounds from within the AC wall adapter or anywhere on the AC power cable

• AC adapters that don’t power your device

Note: If the blade or prong on a power adapter or prong on an AC power cable is visibly loose, bent or broken off and stuck inside a plug socket, there’s a safety risk. Follow these steps:

1. If a blade or prong on an AC wall adapter or AC power cable seems damaged or gets stuck in a wall outlet, don’t repair, touch or remove it, and don’t touch or use the electrical outlet.

2. Remove the risk of electric shock from the affected outlet by turning off all power to that outlet from your circuit breaker or fuse box. If you’re unable to turn off the power to the electrical outlet, or can't confirm the power has been turned off, contact a qualified electrician.