Level 1

23 points

MacBook Pro M1 max can only connect to iPad Pro M1 with original Apple Cable

Got my MacBook today and a cable issue drove me nuts.

The iPad Pro M1 (2021) will only connect to the MacBook Pro M1 max with an original Apple USB-C cable. Any other quality (Anker, CalDigit) USB-C or ThunderBolt 3 or 4 cable will not work. This problem did not exist with my previous MacBook Pro 2019. This problem also does not exist with a 2020 iPad Pro, which connects to the new MacBook with any cable.

Any solution except dumping all non Apple cables?

Posted on Nov 15, 2021 8:00 AM

Top-ranking reply

Sonicray

Level 5

4,556 points

Posted on Nov 15, 2021 5:31 PM

I just tried it with a few Thunderbolt 3 / 4 cables (Belkin and Cable Matters, etc) between MacBook Pro M1 and iPad Pro M1... The iPad starts to charge fine with all of them but IF you want to data transfer it needs a cable that is an "Active cable" ,not passive...

So, with my Belkin active Thunderbolt 3 cable, I was able to transfer data... However, did not work with the Cable Matters passive Thunderbolt 4...

More info:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0OcuKGYzPA

https://www.startech.com/en-us/blog/thunderbolt-3-the-basics

View in context

Similar questions

39 replies

Jan 31, 2022 3:50 AM in response to Sonicray

What was the Link Speed though? Can you check in System Information? USB2 480mbps?

Vmax28 Author

Level 1

23 points

Nov 15, 2021 5:50 PM in response to Sonicray

Are you sure, they are charging fine?

Mine start charging for a few seconds, then stop for a few seconds and start charging again and so on.

It's not really obvious, but you will notice when you look at the battery icon on your iPad.

Vmax28 Author

Level 1

23 points

Nov 18, 2021 5:18 PM in response to thegreenapplecore

Good to know, that this problem isn't just isolated to me.

I used a Anker Thunderbolt 3, CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 and the original Apple Thunderbolt 3 cable. I believe they are all active cables and all have the same problem with the MacBook M1 max 16" and iPadPro M1 (2021). Yesterday I demonstrated the problem to Apple in on of their stores and they accepted a return of the original Apple Thunderbolt cable, which I bought, hoping Apple stuff would work with Apple stuff.

So far all high quality USB-C cables which I tried are charging the iPad from the MacBook, but Finder will not see the iPad. Only the original Apple USB-C cables work.

Jan 16, 2022 3:31 PM in response to Vmax28

Apple please fix this!! There is a lot of people claiming it 'works' with the supplied USB-C charging cables. Although it does connect it's only at USB2 speeds! Check "About this mac" -> "System Report" and scroll down to USB. You will see that the max throughout is only 480mbps! 480mbps / 40GB/s = 0.12% capability!

Feb 7, 2022 8:57 AM in response to thegreenapplecore

I only just received my M1 MacBook Pro through the school I work for and I'm having the exact same problem when my 2018 iPad Pro is connected to it: the iPad indicates that it's being charged for about 20 seconds, then it stops.

I reported it to Apple support and they wanted me to ship the MacBook Pro in for service, but I'm chalking this up to a Monterey and/or M1 MacBook Pro hardware bug which will eventually be fixed. I also just reported to through Apple's feedback page. Hopefully this will be fixed in macOS 12.3.

Tyke999

Level 1

23 points

Jan 31, 2022 3:19 AM in response to Teilo

I bought the top of the range M1 MacBook Pro the day that it came out and it would only connect to my iPads or iPhone after a six minute wait. Same every time, six minutes doing nothing then connect! If you did anything else whilst waiting the six minutes started again when you came back to it. Spent a total of five hours on the phone to Apple (2x2 hours and a 1 hour call). The first operator agreed hat i had grounds to return it which I did.

shoma_M

Level 1

8 points

Feb 7, 2022 4:33 AM in response to Vmax28

I would like to let you know from Japan that I am facing the same problem. (Thunderbolt4cable between MBP14 and iPadpro5th)

I have contacted Apple and they have assured me that they will support the genuine product, so if this doesn't work with thunderbolt3, I will complain to them.

lt5vett

Level 1

12 points

Feb 12, 2022 4:20 PM in response to umangp

I have had a ticket out for at least three months now with no resolution or suggestions from Apple engineers and senior technicians. I must say my Apple store is very cooperative and is helping as the Apple tech support line was not so helpful.

Tyke999

Level 1

23 points

Feb 14, 2022 2:05 AM in response to Vmax28

Thank you for trying the ten minute wait! It shows that the problem i had isn’t connected to the cable problems. It enabled me to realise that the most powerful MacBook Pro was a complete waste for what i needed and a return and refund was quickly actioned.

Many thanks.

Sonicray

Level 5

4,556 points

Nov 15, 2021 5:57 PM in response to Vmax28

25 minutes and counting... all good...

Teilo

Level 1

19 points

Jan 26, 2022 6:14 PM in response to DonKonishi32

This is still a problem on macOS 12.2 and iPadOS 15.3.

Jan 31, 2022 3:38 AM in response to Tyke999

Did you get a replacement? DId it work then?

Jan 31, 2022 3:49 AM in response to Tyke999

Yeah did the the replacement work? If so it’s a hardware bug and can be fixed. I think we’ve all been believing it’s an Apple software related bug.

Tyke999

Level 1

23 points

Jan 31, 2022 4:40 AM in response to Alex01230

Can’t post a reply.

Tyke999

Level 1

23 points

Jan 31, 2022 4:41 AM in response to Tyke999

Ah! Seems ok now. Didn’t replace it, just took the money and ran.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

MacBook Pro M1 max can only connect to iPad Pro M1 with original Apple Cable