PNY Duo Link 4 does not work with new IPad Pro

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Level 1

10 points

PNY Duo Link 4 does not work with new IPad Pro

I upgraded to a new IPad Pro which has a USB-C port.

My PNY Duo Link 4 memory stick with a lightning connector male end and a USB male end will not plug into the new IPad port

PNY said to contact Apple

Apple has no solution and recommended asking PNY how to connect their device to new IPad Pro's

I have tried standard connectors with a male USB-C end and a female USB end and the PNY memory device will not be recognized.

I know the PNY device works as it still works with older Apple devices with lightning connectors

Please help!!!

iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi

Posted on Jul 9, 2020 3:41 AM

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Answer 1

LotusPilot

Level 10

308,689 points

Jul 9, 2020 4:09 AM in response to jimfromwylie

You cannot connect a Lightning connector to a USB-C port. The two interfaces are not directly inter-workable without use of a suitable interface converter.

Your iPad generally cannot supply sufficient power to an externally connected USB storage device. iPad is only able to supply adequate power to very low power devices - which for the most part, Flash and SSD based storage devices require more power than the limited supply from the iPad can support.

As such, you must provide an alternative source of power.

For USB-C equipped iPad, if the storage device does not have its own source of power, the simplest and most effective method is to connect both you iPad and USB storage to a powered USB Hub. The hub then supplies power and connectivity between the iPad and connected USB accessories.

You must also ensure that your storage device is correctly formatted as FAT, FAT32, exFAT - or if used exclusively with a Mac computer, APFS is also supported. iPad also requires external storage devices to have only a single data partition. Most small capacity devices, such a the ubiquitous “thumb drive” (a.k.a. Memory Stick) are factory formatted to FAT32.

I hope this explanation and guidance is helpful in resolving any difficulties.

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Answer 2

jimfromwylie Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 22, 2020 10:50 AM in response to jimfromwylie

Jul 22, 2020 10:49 AM in response to jimfromwylie

An update

I purchased a powered hub and could read normal USB memory sticks, but not the Duo Link 4. I believe it has a proprietary software to encript data, etc., but in any case, even the powered hub, as plugged in to a power supply would not trigger a recognition. Normal USB memory sticks recognized, but not the PNY Duo Link 4

PNY service techs told me they do not know of a hub or adaptor that will work with new Apple devices using USB-C ports.

I also bought a USB-C to USB cord so I can sync my IPad Pro with ITunes and download a copy of my needed Excel spread sheets. I then open them up using an Excel app on the IPad.

Thus, the PNY Duo Link 4 is worthless to me when I want to travel with my new IPad Pro.

As long as I still own my current IPhone and my larger, older IPad Pro - both have lightning connector ports which are compatible with the PNY Duo Link 4.

The PNY tech and customer service rep tried to convince me not to upgrade my Apple devices, so I can keep using the Duo Link 4.

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Answer 3

LotusPilot

Level 10

308,689 points

Jul 9, 2020 5:31 AM in response to jimfromwylie

This appears to be a duplicate discussion. Please see your other thread for the explanation, but suffice to say from your list of what works - and what doesn’t - the USB connection is the stand-out reason. The solution is to connect via a USB hub.

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Answer 4

LotusPilot

Level 10

308,689 points

Jul 9, 2020 9:00 AM in response to jimfromwylie

Have you also connected your Power Adapter (charger), supplied with your iPad, to the Multiport Adapter?

Remember, the iPad likely cannot alone supply the necessary power for your PNY Duo to function.

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Answer 5

jimfromwylie Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 22, 2020 10:49 AM in response to jimfromwylie

An update

I purchased a powered hub and could read normal USB memory sticks, but not the Duo Link 4. I believe it has a proprietary software to encript data, etc., but in any case, even the powered hub, as plugged in to a power supply would not trigger a recognition. Normal USB memory sticks recognized, but not the PNY Duo Link 4

PNY service techs told me they do not know of a hub or adaptor that will work with new Apple devices using USB-C ports.

I also bought a USB-C to USB cord so I can sync my IPad Pro with ITunes and download a copy of my needed Excel spread sheets. I then open them up using an Excel app on the IPad.

Thus, the PNY Duo Link 4 is worthless to me when I want to travel with my new IPad Pro.

As long as I still own my current IPhone and my larger, older IPad Pro - both have lightning connector ports which are compatible with the PNY Duo Link 4.

The PNY tech and customer service rep tried to convince me not to upgrade my Apple devices, so I can keep using the Duo Link 4.

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Answer 6

jimfromwylie Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 9, 2020 4:41 AM in response to LotusPilot

Thanks, but why does it work with my IPhone, IPad Pro - large screen, several years old and the smaller screen IPad Pro that was about 3 years old prior to trading in for the upgrade? The only change I can see and read about is lightning connector ports are being replaced with USB-C ports

I was and am able to use the lightning connector end until this upgrade to the newest IPad Pro.

The PNY Duo Link 4 is the size of a plain old memory stick

I am using the Duo Link APP.

The APP recognizes when the device is plugged in, or at least it did with a lightning connector port. Nothing plugged into the USB-C port as a connector causes recognition of the Duo Lin 4 memory stick

Works - using the lightning connector end to my large screen IPad Pro - with a lightning connector post

Works - my IPhone X with a lightning connector port

Worked - smaller IPad Pro with a lighning connector port

Does not work - new 11" IPad Pro now with a USB-C connector port

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