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Is iPad Pro Compatible with MagSafe/MagSafe Duo?

One thing I was excited about when purchasing my new iPad Pro (12.9 inch 5th Generation) was to wirelessly charge my iPhone 12 and AirPods Pro while on the go by using my existing MagSafe Charger.


However, iPad Pro does not appear to be compatible with MagSafe and MagSafe Duo Chargers based on my attempts.


I tested the connector for the MagSafe Charger to make sure it was not the culprit. The MagSafe Charger uses an Integrated USB-C cable that worked with multiple USB-C and Thunderbolt accessories with success (several portable batteries, M1 13 inch MacBook Pro, Thunderbolt 4 external dock).


Based on this article, power output shouldn’t be an issue:


iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) also support a wide ecosystem of high-performance Thunderbolt and USB4 accessories. Some accessories can request higher power from your iPad, which might affect battery life. To extend battery life, remember to disconnect these accessories from iPad Pro when you aren't using them. Refer to your accessory manufacturers’ specifications for more information.


However - Apple does not provide specifics regarding the iPad Pro’s power output. Without this information, it is unclear how to compare accessory specifications - as suggested above - to the iPad Pro specifications if they are not provided.


So…


Do the MagSafe Chargers work with USB-C/Thunderbolt equipped iPad Pro AND Is this explicitly documented anywhere currently?





iPad Pro, iPadOS 14

Posted on Jun 30, 2021 2:45 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 12, 2021 5:44 PM

Wow, so multiple people have politely replied to your (both confusing and poorly worded) question and have explained to you why what your trying to do is not going to work. Whilst some tech boffin may be able to explain further why it may or may with the numbers, currant draw, amps,watts etc etc you already know the answer. IT DOES NOT WORK! Why argue and prod people for an answer you want to hear as opposed to the correct answer, (that you already know) as stated in your question?

34 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 12, 2021 5:44 PM in response to seanman236

Wow, so multiple people have politely replied to your (both confusing and poorly worded) question and have explained to you why what your trying to do is not going to work. Whilst some tech boffin may be able to explain further why it may or may with the numbers, currant draw, amps,watts etc etc you already know the answer. IT DOES NOT WORK! Why argue and prod people for an answer you want to hear as opposed to the correct answer, (that you already know) as stated in your question?

Jun 30, 2021 3:06 PM in response to seanman236

You cannot have wireless, magnetic, inductive charging of iPads

To have magnetic, wireless inductive charging, the device need a glass back ( an electrical current isolator ) to be able to support a magnetic, wireless, electrical connection to be able to charge without any risks of electric shock/electrocution.


iPads have an all aluminium back that prevents any type of wireless, magnetic, inductive charging to be, currently, possible.


Sorry.

Jun 30, 2021 3:43 PM in response to seanman236

seanman236 wrote:

Use your iPad to charge other devices…


Per Apple: Away from a power outlet and need to charge your iPhone, other iPad, Apple Watch, or third-party USB device? Just connect the right cable or adapter to your iPad to share its long-lasting battery with your other devices:

  • To charge your iPhone or earlier-model iPad that has a Lightning port, connect it to your iPad using the Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable. If you have a Lightning to USB cable, you can combine it with the Apple USB-C to USB Adapter, then connect the adapter to iPad Pro.
  • If you have two iPad models with USB-C ports, you can connect them directly with a USB-C cable. One iPad will draw power from the other. If you want to change which iPad charges, unplug the USB-C cable and then reconnect them.
  • Charge your Apple Watch by connecting its Magnetic Charging Cable to your iPad via the Apple USB-C to USB Adapter. If you have an Apple Watch Magnetic Charger to USB-C Cable, you can connect it directly to your iPad.




You’ve already proved that Qi charging doesn’t work here, so use a (more battery-efficient) USB-C to Lightning cable.


If you want the official answer, you’ll want to check with Apple Support.


As a guess, the Qi charger asks for more power than the iPad Pro is willing to offer via PD.


Jun 30, 2021 3:22 PM in response to seanman236

I evidently misunderstood your question - perhaps because this charging combination makes little sense…


Wireless charging of an iPhone using the iPad Pro as the power source, even if technically possible, is inefficient. Whilst the M1 models of iPad Pro can charge and iPhone via the iPad’s USB-C port, power output is limited to 7.5W - this being insufficient for wireless charging. MagSafe chargers require 12W or greater power input.


Given that iPad supports direct charging of an iPhone via a USB-C connection, why bother compromise efficiency of power transfer?

Jul 13, 2021 2:07 AM in response to dhcav

dhcav wrote:

Sean is asking specifically about the 5th generation 12.9” model, the information you’ve provided is from before that model was released and therefore not guaranteed to be accurate.


In providing information here, I do in fact make specific reference to the new 2021 iPad Pro 12.9”. I quote device capabilities derived through my specific testing and extensive experience of this model - and provide additional links links to published third-party information.


Apple are traditionally circumspect in the technical specifications that they publish - and in these models of iPad Pro have shared far more than has historically been the case. As history has demonstrated, practical testing (and teardown by third parties) is often required to uncover much of the information that Apple choose not to formally share by way of published specifications.


Apple have made quite clear that the new iPad Pro can source sufficient power to explicitly charge an iPhone over a direct wired connection. It follows that a wired connection offers considerable efficiency benefits over inductive charging.


Apple do invite feedback and comment via their product feedback pages:

Feedback - iPad - Apple


All contributors here will no doubt be very interested to learn of any additional information that you manage to uncover from your continued inquiries from Apple. Please do share them here, with appropriate references, for the benefit of all.

Jun 30, 2021 2:59 PM in response to LotusPilot

Hi @LotusPilot,


Thanks for your response but my question has nothing to do with charging the iPad Pro itself.


In the first sentence I state: “One thing I was excited about when purchasing my new iPad Pro (12.9 inch 5th Generation) was to wirelessly charge my iPhone 12 and AirPods Pro while on the go by using my existing MagSafe Charger. “


To state this differently - I want to charge my iPhone 12 or AirPods using a MagSafe Charger that is plugged into my iPad Pro’s Thunderbolt/USBC4 Port.

Jun 30, 2021 3:10 PM in response to MichelPM

Hi MichaelPM,


Thanks for your response but my question has nothing to do with charging the iPad Pro itself.


In the first sentence I state: “One thing I was excited about when purchasing my new iPad Pro (12.9 inch 5th Generation) was to wirelessly charge my iPhone 12 and AirPods Pro while on the go by using my existing MagSafe Charger. “


To state this differently - I want to charge my iPhone 12 or AirPods using a MagSafe Charger that is plugged into my iPad Pro’s Thunderbolt/USBC4 Port.

Jun 30, 2021 3:27 PM in response to seanman236

This doesn't make a whole lot of sense.


Apple did not design iPads/iPad Pros to be surrogate power banks to charge other devices.


You'd only deplete your iPad Pro battery even quicker charging other devices with it.


I could see maybe trying to charge an Watch from your iPad Pro, as a possibility, as the much smaller battery would take less time to charge, but it would still drain down your iPad battery, while still trying to use the iPad or trying to charge the iPad at the same time.

This route of charging devices makes little sense to me.


It is still much quicker charging iPads/iPhones and Watches using dedicated power/charging block, like from a 18W or 20W Apple power/charging adapter block.

Jun 30, 2021 3:26 PM in response to LotusPilot

Hi LotusPilot,


Thanks for following up. I am still not sure you understood my question as I am asking about what is technically possible, not what is the most efficient.


So to restate -


I’m asking if it’s possible to charge my iPhone 12 or AirPods Pro via my MagSafe Charger when the MagSafe Charger is connected to my iPad Pro’s USB-C/thunderbolt port.



Jun 30, 2021 3:49 PM in response to MrHoffman

Hi MrHoffman,


Thanks for your follow up.


Apple Support has been working with me for several weeks investigating the matter. We saw this article and while helpful, it simply isn’t exhaustive to every single permutation of cables and devices. They encouraged me to submit a community ticket while they work through some issues with extracting documentation from the Engineering team.


I am hoping to locate a document that formally states the iPad Pros wattage output that I could then provide support to drive the conversation further.




Jun 30, 2021 3:55 PM in response to seanman236

seanman236 wrote:

Hi LotusPilot,

Thanks for following up.

Can you please provide me a link to your source for this 7.5 watt limit?

Thanks


Practical testing demonstrates that the iPad Pro can source a maximum of 7.5W using USB PD (Power Delivery). MagSafe has a published minimum USB PD power requirement of 12W.


This third-party page may provide some additional information, about MagSafe, that may be of interest to you:

https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/10/29/the-real-story-behind-magsafe-usb-c-pd-and-why-you-need-a-20w-ac-charger


I have also found an additional reference from 9to5 of Mac that supports the iPad’a 7.5W source-power limitation:

https://9to5mac.com/2018/11/07/ipad-pro-usb-c-accessories/


I hope this information finally settles your inquiry - and evident distrust of information provided.

Jun 30, 2021 4:12 PM in response to LotusPilot

I watched a very technical video review of the MI iPad Pro models on YouTube that, also, talked about the MI iPad Pro power output of the USB-C/Thunderbolt port that stated max output of anywhere between 7-10Ws, but I was having trouble finding that exact video, in my YouTube video history, to supply a link to.

I watch a LOT of Apple product reviews/technial reviews and teardowns/teardown reviews, on YouTube.

So, they are become a bit of a blur at a certain point.


Even at closse to 10W of power output, from the USB-C/Thundetbolt port, this is STILL not enough power to support magnetic charging from these new iPad Pro models.

Is iPad Pro Compatible with MagSafe/MagSafe Duo?

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