The answer to ‘Can I Charge My Chromebook With My Phone Charger’ is, you guessed it, maybe.
I say maybe because it depends on several factors such as what chargers your Chromebook and your phone use.
To charge a Chromebook with a phone charger, simply use a cable with a USB adapter and plug it into the USB 2.0 port on the right side of the device. Alternatively, use a USB Type-C port and ensure both devices support two-way charging for safe and efficient charging. Safe and convenient, the USB Type-C charger’s output can be varied to suit any USB-C compatible device.
How Do I Charge My Chromebook By Using My Phone Charger?
If you need or want to charge your Chromebook using your phone charger I’ll explain how it can be done in this article. I include information about Lenovo Chromebooks but it will apply to any manufacturer using the USB Type-C connector standard.
If you have lost your charger and need to know how to charge a Chromebook without a charger see the following steps. These will get your Chromebook charged back up and ready to use.
Can I Charge A Chromebook With A Phone Charger?
As I mentioned above, in order to charge your Chromebook with your phone charger you will need to make sure both devices have a USB-C port. Note that there are two types of USB-C ports which are, USB-C and USB-C/PD(power delivery). See below for the difference.
Ideally, to charge your Chromebook with your phone charger you would want to use a charger that is rated for USB-C/PD because it can supply higher voltage and wattage than a non-PD charger. Also, a USB-C/PD charger is able to detect the connected device and provide the correct amount of power to charge it.
Answer:
Many new phones on the market today do incorporate USB-C/PD so using their chargers will work to charge a Chromebook.
A slightly older phone charger that is only USB-C may still be able to charge a Chromebook but it will be at a lower voltage and wattage. As such it will take much longer to charge and the device should be powered off during charging.
What Is The Difference Between USB-C And USB-PD?
USB-C was designed to be reversible, so you can’t plug it in the wrong way. That is, you don’t have to flip the connector to make sure it fits, it just fits now.
USB-C was also designed to be used across all devices, from smartphones up to laptops and monitors. Lastly, it was designed to be future-proof as it can handle enough power to charge all your devices and transfer higher data rates.
USB-PD, or USB-C/PD as it is sometimes written, is a Power Delivery specification. USB-PD allows for a higher power that allows devices to charge more quickly over USB. Two devices using USB-PD determine the correct amount of power that can be used.
A USB-C/PD charger is able to detect the connected device and provide the correct amount of power to charge it.
To charge a Chromebook without a charger can be done with a USB-PD device or a USB-PD phone charger.
USB-C uses up to 5V and up to 3A.
USB-PD uses 5V up to 20V and up to 5A.
If you need more than 5V or 3A, then use a USB-PD Charger.
Note: Be sure your USB-C charger or cable is compliant with the standard as there are many cheap knock-offs on the market, as reported by CNET. A poorly designed component can damage your laptop or phone.
| USB Specification | Max. Voltage | Max. Current | Max. Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB 2.0 | 5V | 500mA | 2.5 W |
| USB 3.0/3.1 | 5V | 900mA | 4.5 W |
| USB Type-C | 5V | 3A | 15 W |
| USB-PD | 20V | 5A | 100 W |
Read my article titled “What Are The Different Versions Of USB?“
to get a better understanding of the USB standard as well as the types of USB connectors. The USB revisions have been designed to achieve a more unified and easier industry standard.
Lenovo Chromebooks With USB-C Ports
I’ve included a table of Lenovo Chromebooks with USB-C ports. If you own one of these use the reference to know what the current A/C adapter is rated at.
| Chromebook Name | Machine Type | Power Adapter |
|---|---|---|
| Chromebook C340-15 | 81T9 | 45W USB-C |
| IdeaPad Duet Chromebook | ZA6F | 5V / 2.0A |
| Lenovo 10e Chromebook Tablet | 82AM | 45W USB-C |
| Lenovo 300e Chromebook 2nd Gen AST | 82CE | 45W USB-C |
| Lenovo Chromebook S345-14AST | 81WX | 45W USB-C |
| IdeaPad Flex 5 CB 13IML05 | 82B8 | 45W USB-C |
| Yoga Chromebook C630 | 81JX | 45W USB-C |
ALSO READ: How To Take Chromebook Screenshot
Lenovo Chromebook Power Adapters With USB-C
This table displays available Lenovo A/C adapters you can purchase. Be sure to check if it is compatible with your laptop. These use the USB-C connection.
| USB-C Adapter Name | Part Number | Output Voltages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo 65W USB-C GaN Adapter | 40AWGC65WW | 5V/9V/15V/20V | |
| Lenovo 45W USB-C AC Portable Adapter | 4X20V07881 | 5V/9V/15V/20V | |
| Lenovo Slim USB-C 65W AC Adapter | GX20Z46256 | 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V | |
| Lenovo 65W USB-C DC Travel Adapter | 40AK0065WW | 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V | |
Do All Chromebooks Use The Same Charger?
Not all Chromebooks use the same charger. Newer Chromebooks with USB-C can use other USB-C charges, check if it has power delivery(PD) as PD is able to detect voltage. Older Chromebook chargers with rounded barrel connectors are not interchangeable. These can provide too much or too little power, or the wrong polarity.
In Summary
If you find yourself in a situation where you may need to charge your Chromebook with a phone charger, you can certainly do it provided both devices use USB-C. Newer phones support and use USB-PD which is ideal to use for charging a Chromebook.
