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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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LotusPilot

Community+ 2025

Level 10

301,394 points

Posted on Jun 30, 2021 2:50 PM

No model of iPad support wireless charging. Charging of iPad is only possible via a direct/wired USB connection.

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34 replies

seanman236 Author

Level 1

11 points

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.

seanman236 Author

Level 1

11 points

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.

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.

seanman236 Author

Level 1

11 points

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.

seanman236 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 30, 2021 3:31 PM in response to MichelPM

Hi MichaelPM,

Thanks for following up and your continued effort to help me out.

Agree to Disagree but I believe you are incorrect. Apple advertises the iPad Pro as capable of acting as an external power source to many types of devices. This support document provides more detail.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209186#connect

seanman236 Author

Level 1

11 points

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.

seanman236 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 30, 2021 4:10 PM in response to LotusPilot

Hi LotusPilot,

Thanks for following up and I apologize if requesting a source suggested distrust. I simply like to have sources for information whenever possible which I don’t think is particularly unreasonable.

I appreciate you sending those links over. Given they aren’t from Apple I am not sure they’ll be helpful in my ongoing conversations with Apple Support but it’s helpful knowing where other customers are getting their information from.

That said if you happen to know of any formal documentation from Apple regarding this specification that would be helpful. If not - no worries.

It’s purely for working with Apple Support in getting their support documentation updated to explicitly state MagSafe is not compatible with IPad Pro.

Thanks again for your time.

seanman236 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 30, 2021 8:05 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thanks for all your input LotusPilot. I get the sense I put you on the defensive in giving you feedback on your responses - and if I did - I apologize as that benefits no one especially in community forums such as this.

Should I can get an official answer/documentation as to how the iPad Pro outputs power I will gladly post here for future community reference.

dhcav

Level 1

4 points

Jul 12, 2021 9:42 PM in response to LotusPilot

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. Stop acting like what you’re saying is proven fact.

dhcav

Level 1

4 points

Jul 12, 2021 9:52 PM in response to seanman236

Please report back if/when you find out more about this Sean. I’m really hoping the minor changes to the USB-C/Thunderbolt setup in the new generation mean at least a few more watts so I can run a Raspberry Pi 4 with an SSD (for which I’d need about 10W total)

[Edited by Moderator]

dhcav

Level 1

4 points

Jul 12, 2021 10:16 PM in response to seanman236

Great thanks. Sometimes specific technical info like this isn’t ever shared but I hope we’ll get something official or at least a 3rd party tear down. I’ll contact support now to add my voice to the chorus!

seanman236 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 13, 2021 3:10 AM in response to LotusPilot

@LotusPilot

“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.”

The discussion here is whether or not these respective technologies work together, not efficiency.

Jul 13, 2021 5:02 AM in response to seanman236

The iPad Pro’s ability to source power has not changed between the earlier 2020 and 2021 models. The linked articles (which are the only published references of which I am aware) remain valid. Actual tests confirm the known specifications.

As this has become a circular discussion, in which I (and others) can provide no additional constructive information, I will withdraw at this point. I, like you, will be interested to learn any new information - when/if it becomes available.

dhcav

Level 1

4 points

Jul 13, 2021 5:08 AM in response to LotusPilot

If you have tested it yourself why didn’t you say so earlier for goodness’ sake? Also, that means you could be the person to publish this difficult to come by information for the benefit of others like us, why don’t you do that? Take a photo of the USB voltage meter or whatever it is you test with and post it here?

seanman236 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 30, 2021 3:37 PM in response to LotusPilot

Hi LotusPilot,

Thanks for following up.

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

Thanks

seanman236 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 13, 2021 4:50 AM in response to LotusPilot

Based on their publication dates, the two articles you provided do not cover the 5th Generation iPad Pro.

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Is iPad Pro Compatible with MagSafe/MagSafe Duo?