FAQ
Straight answers.
Free download. $3.99 Pro one time. Speed tiers from adapter rating. Max and live Draw on the HUD. Same copy feeds the FAQPage structured data.
Does ChargeFX show live charging watts?
Yes. ChargeFX shows live charging watts as Draw on the HUD and in the menu, next to Max — the adapter’s rated watts. Speed-tier audio follows the rating only, so a 96W brick still reads Ultra even if Draw sits at 22W. Draw can rise and fall as the Mac settles. This is a glanceable HUD, not a diagnostic power meter.
Does it work with MagSafe, USB-C, or both?
Both. ChargeFX is a macOS menu-bar app for MagSafe and USB-C. Plug in either connector and you get a speed-tier tone from the adapter rating, plus Max and live Draw on the HUD. The two-beat idea is the same for both ports: hear the brick, then read the numbers.
Which Macs are supported?
ChargeFX is intended for Apple silicon Macs that charge over MagSafe or USB-C. Exact model coverage is still being confirmed and will be listed with the shipping build. We are not publishing a guessed compatibility matrix here. If your Mac reports adapter rating and live draw through normal system power information, ChargeFX is meant to sit next to that data.
Why do speed tiers follow adapter rating, not live draw?
Live draw changes as the battery fills and the Mac throttles. A 96W brick can draw 20W at the end of a charge. Rating is the brick’s labeled promise — that is the EV-style speed tier. Audio stays stable. Max and Draw stay on screen so you still see what is happening right now.
Is a 30W charger enough for a MacBook?
A 30W adapter is Slow in ChargeFX. It can maintain or slowly charge many Macs, especially when idle, but it is not a Fast or Ultra brick. ChargeFX will say Slow from the rating and still show live Draw. Whether 30W is enough depends on your Mac and workload. We will not call a 30W brick Fast.
How is this different from WhatPort or WattsConnected?
WhatPort and WattsConnected are the real diagnostic tools if you want a detailed port and watt readout. ChargeFX is a menu-bar utility: speed-tier audio from adapter rating, plus Max and live Draw on the HUD. It is not trying to replace those meters. Use them when you need a lab-style view. Use ChargeFX when you want to hear the brick and glance at the HUD.
Can I turn sound off and keep the HUD?
Yes. You can mute packs and keep the HUD. Max and Draw still appear in the menu bar. ChargeFX is a utility that sits next to System Settings; audio is optional. Nothing important is audio-only — the tier, Max, and Draw are always visible as text.
Can I use custom sounds?
Yes. Import your own files. Custom audio stays on your Mac and is not uploaded. ChargeFX ships original or cleared packs only — no ripped franchise clips. Free includes Clean Pulse. Pro unlocks the remaining included packs and scheduling. Custom import is for audio you own or have rights to use.
Can I use copyrighted meme or movie audio?
No. ChargeFX does not ship ripped movie, meme, or franchise audio, and this site does not preview anyone else’s copyrighted sound. Packs are original or cleared. If you import files, you need the rights. Custom files stay local. After Dark is an optional gated pack of owned audio, not uncleared clips.
Is there a subscription?
No subscription. ChargeFX Free is a download forever: the Clean Pulse pack and the Max/Draw HUD. Pro is a one-time $3.99 unlock for the remaining packs plus scheduling and utility extras. There is no cheaper $1 SKU and no recurring plan.
Does ChargeFX need root, a system extension, or Accessibility?
ChargeFX is a macOS menu-bar app. This site does not claim root access, a system extension, or Accessibility permissions. Exact entitlements will be listed with the shipping build. If a permission is required, it will be named in the app and updated here. We are not inventing a privilege story for the MVP.
What is After Dark?
After Dark is an optional, gated pack. It is off by default and is not on the homepage. It is a tease you can enable, not the reason to buy Pro. It is still original or cleared audio. If you never turn it on, ChargeFX stays the same utility.
What is included in Free vs Pro?
Free forever includes Clean Pulse, the default pack, and the Max/Draw HUD. Pro is $3.99 once and unlocks the remaining sound packs plus scheduling and other utility extras. After Dark is optional and gated; it is not the Pro pitch. No subscription, no struck-through fake prices.
Will it spam sound every time I reseat the cable?
ChargeFX does not play an attach-click when you seat the cable. Contact SFX is not part of the product. You hear the speed-tier tone from the adapter rating — the two-beat charger idea — not a click every time the magnet connects. Reseating the same brick should not spam a contact sound.
Where does custom audio live?
On your Mac. ChargeFX does not upload custom files or sync them to a cloud library. They stay in a local folder the app manages. Delete the files and they are gone. The exact folder path will ship with the app. The rule is local-only, not a hosted sound locker.