iPhone 15 Prox Max USB-C to HDMI Issue

An update for those with the same issue, I have found a solution.

I use an iPhone 15 Pro Max with an USB-C to HDMI Cable on an LG 4k tv. I was flickering and not displaying at all, same as reported by the OP.

After connecting the iPhone to the USB-C to HDMI Cable, go to settings —> display. It will show options for both the iPhone screen and for the external display. Then go to the external display and select SDR Mode. It should work fine now.

For some reason, the other options (HDR or Dolby) might be selected and will not work. That is the source of the error.

I fixed this by putting my iPhone 15 pro into low battery mode. I assume this is because the phone displays at 60-Hz in low battery mode rather than 120-Hz. For context I was connecting to my Samsung TV USB-C to HDMI.

I had the same issue with my Apple HDMI adaptor (purchased for iPad Pro) as well as a 3rd party SD card adaptor (USBC). It was not displaying using the iPhone 15 Pro Max. After discussing the issue with Apple Support, he asked me to try turning off the phone and turning i back on. The iPhone 15 Pro Max then worked with the 2020 USBc HDMI adaptor and my 3rd party SD card adaptor.

I am not saying it will work for all people but it is worth a try to just turn the phone off and back on again

Hi.

I also have these issues but do have a cable that’s working perfectly. I have about 18 docks and as I’m working my through them, the first 7 all have this issue of the HDMI losing synch. All of the 7 tested so far work perfectly with my iPad Pros, M1 and M2.

It’s also worth noting that the iPads also had these issues and on certain docks they would also send out a pillarboxed image, as well as the usual letterboxed image when mirroring and a lower resolution image with stage manager. However, after one of the iPadOS updates (I can’t remember which one) nearly all of the problematic docks worked perfectly.

Anyway, here’s a video showing the USB C to HDMI DP-Alt mode cable that works. Yes, this is very restrictive, especially if you use your iPhone as a gaming device and use Ethernet etc. (which is what I do). However, until such times as the docks work flawlessly, this is at least a solid option for video only. Plus you can also charge vide MagSafe, again, not ideal but it’s a workaround for now.

BTW. I’ve been testing these types of cable and docks for a few years now with the iPad Pros and totally understand the frustration when having to swap to numerous monitors and TVs, use different HDMI or DP cables and all the variations of setting up. What’s even worse for me personally is that I have the most awesome USB C dock with every option you’d ever need, that works perfectly with the iPad Pros but just keeps losing video synch with the iPhone 15.

I have a Pro Max, so can’t guarantee that anything I’ve said here will work with the 15 or 15 Plus, as they do have restrictions on their USB C bus and as far as I can, I can’t see how they could work at 4K/60 in DP-Alt mode. Although, I could be wrong as Apple may be allowing certain video protocols over USB C on the 15 and 15 Plus, even if they exceed the 480Mb/s for those phones’ USB C ports.

This video is more designed for noobs, just skip through to where I’m showing the cable working.

Cheers,

Dave.

https://youtu.be/fSjAUu5MtTk

More data, as grist for the mill:

o iPhone 15 Pro, being connected to the HDMI input on a Samsung TV (several years old).

o The UNI USB C to 4K HDMI Adapter, amazon #B07VRD25Q2, works fine.

o The UNI USB C to HDMI Cable, amazon #B075V5JK36, works fine.

o The Hiearcool USB C Hub (with a 4K HDMI output port), amazon #B0B2QYZKFD, displays the iPhone screen on the TV, but all the colors are mixed up. Looks like old, psychedelic, pixel art.

o Connecting either of the UNI HDMI adapters (above) through a USB-C hub connected to the phone: there's no HDMI output.

I also had trouble getting display out from my 15 Pro max on my 7-in-1 dock with HDMI out. I got it to work by change the monitor HDMI input settings from 2.0 to 1.4.

Not sure if you have that option or if it’s even the same issue, but it might be something to check and test. Cheers!

It seems to be an iOS 17 issue, ipad and iphone lightening to hdmi connection to external computer monitors both stopped working with update to iOS 17, tried different cables including apple brand and no luck. Rolled back devices and work fine. Oddly enough iphone with iOS 17 still works on samsung smart TV. Devices all still register connection but won’t display screen; waiting to hear back from apple support but seems like may not get to engineering as connecting to non-apple devices and they “don’t support third party devices”. Disappointing to say the least, have had more issues with apple products in the last year than all prior 30+ years put together. Has me seriously considering complete transition away from apple for household.

Thanks for creating this thread and reporting your issues with that Anker HDMI adapter Joshua! I have the exact same model dongle from Anker and can confirm I have the same issue. I am running iOS 17.1.2 and like you have tried multiple cables and displays with no luck. I was able to get it to work with another USB C dock that I used for my M2 MacBook Air, but as for this Anker adapter, no luck either. 🫤

Not sure how this makes any sense but my 15pro Max is having the same trouble everyone else seems to be having using the Apple hdmi dock. my old iPhone12 worked fine with the older hdmi dock for streaming to this tv. I decided to try the new phone and connector on an older Sony tv I have in another room, guess what, it freaking works!!! But it won’t work on my newer TV, not sure how this info can help here my phone is updated and I just tested it again on the old and new tv same issue. But it does work sound and picture on the older tv through HDMI.

I am having the EXACT same problem with my iPhone 15. My screen shots would look the same as yours. the adapter I’m using is a J5create. The adapter works with my MacBook Pro just fine. This seems to be a iPhone 15 problem?

Yes, I’m going to actually go buy the Apple brand AV adaptor today and find out. If that has the same issue then we have a real problem on our hands and hopefully we can send our phone in for free repair of something.

Ok, so everywhere in my town was out of the Apple adapter, so I just got a generic 6’ usb-c to HDMI cable. It does work but not great. It doesn’t display things in full screen mode very well and it’s just over all glitchy and unstable. Let’s just hope once I do eventually get the Apple one it will work like it’s supposed to.

hey Apple Support, do you have any info on this problem?

thanks