The latest version of Apple’s 140W USB-C Power Adapter bundled with the 16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro and M5 Max models) has been causing problems for some users due to a subtle hardware change.
According to reports, Apple quietly redesigned the removable plug connector on the adapter, changing the internal male connector’s shape. While it still looks similar at first glance, the updated design uses a slimmer, pill-like connector instead of the previous C7-style form. This change has led to compatibility issues with certain accessories that were designed for the older version of the charger.
As a result, some users have found that the new adapter does not work properly with Apple’s Power Adapter Extension Cable, even though it is still listed as compatible. In some cases, Apple’s older World Travel Adapter Kit is also no longer compatible with the redesigned plug.
The issue appears to be region-dependent, with reports coming mainly from select markets such as Australia and China, while other users still receive the older compatible version. Apple has not clearly stated which regions are affected or whether standalone 140W adapters are impacted in the same way.
So far, Apple hasn’t provided an official fix or clarification, leaving some users unsure whether they’ll need replacement accessories or whether the rollout will be standardized globally.
After the 16-inch MacBook Pro was updated last month, some customers in certain countries have noticed a subtle but important change to Apple’s 140W USB-C Power Adapter that comes in the box.
While the charger still features a removable plug, Apple appears to have revised the internal two-pin male connector design. The updated version now has a slimmer, pill-shaped profile, replacing the previous modified C7-style connector.
Because of this change, the new adapter is no longer compatible with Apple’s Power Adapter Extension Cable, which was designed to fit the older connector shape. As a result, the extension cable cannot be used with the revised charger, despite previously being supported.
The issue stems from a physical redesign rather than a software or power delivery change, meaning the incompatibility is purely mechanical.
Interestingly, Apple’s product page for the Power Adapter Extension Cable still states that it is compatible with its 140W USB-C power adapters, even though the newer version of the charger appears to break that compatibility.
The issue also extends to Apple’s discontinued World Travel Adapter Kit, which is likewise incompatible with the revised design of the 140W USB-C Power Adapter featuring the updated male connector.
Reports suggest the new design has so far been spotted in regions such as Australia and China. However, not all customers are receiving the updated version, indicating a somewhat inconsistent rollout. At this point, it remains unclear which countries are affected or whether the separately sold 140W adapter also includes the redesigned connector in any markets.
For now, the situation appears to be uneven and not fully documented, and clarification from Apple is still pending.