I use original apple USB-A lightning cable to connect iPad 8th Generation to Macbook Pro (2015) and it does not work. Connection is not stable because iPad cyclically disconnects every 2 seconds and iPad disappears in Finder Locations section.
Note: USB-C lightning cable works well to connect same iPad 8th Generation to Macbook Pro (2019).
MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15
It looks like iPad 8th Gen is not compatible with Macbook Pro (2015) because iPad 8th Gen consume too much power and as far I can see it cannot regulate power consumption so Macbook Pro (2015) just turns off USB port because of power overload.
My solution was using USB Hub with external power adapter.
It looks like iPad 8th Gen is not compatible with Macbook Pro (2015) because iPad 8th Gen consume too much power and as far I can see it cannot regulate power consumption so Macbook Pro (2015) just turns off USB port because of power overload.
My solution was using USB Hub with external power adapter.
Does it happen even if you try to use a different USB-A port on your old MBP? (make sure you're NOT connecting that cable to an USB hub).
If the issue persists... defective cable? defective port(s)?
No way to diagnose that issue remotely, sorry.
Regards
Giulio
I tried three official Apple lightning cables, both ports on the laptop, tried use usb hub and etc. with the same result.
I found that Finder asking to accept some license agreement not as separate dialog as usual Apple software do and it is embedding it in Finder screen. It is not possible to click in 2 seconds in Finder on Locations/iPad then on blue button Continue then on next screen on checkbox on to accept license agreement and button continue to proceed to iPad manage screen. To do this I have to run several archive processes to archive large files, run XCode installation to slowdown computer and only then I could able to click all buttons and get to iPad manage screen in Finder.
After that iPad connection could still for 5 second. If I plug/unplug iPad several times then problem with disconnect disappears. Problem appears again after Macbook Pro restart so I have to plug/unplug iPad several times to make connection stable. Such behavior reproducible with any Apple lightning cable.
Found iPad 6th generation and it connects to the laptop correctly without such issues and workaround with plug/unplug cable for several times.
I believe this is software issue because I USB ports on laptop works well and I can connect other Apple hardware such as keyboard, mouse, touchpad and etc without issue. Or this is incompatibility iPad 8th Generation with USB-A lightning cables.
Bravo mrumka !
Thank you for sharing your experience here (it may be of help to others in the same situation). I am happy that you have found the right remedy to bypass the apparent incompatibility between the iPad 8th gen and your old MBP model, without having to resort to more drastic solutions.
Have a wonderful day.
Giulio
iPad 8th Generation cannot be connected to Macbook Pro (2015) with USB-A lightning cable
