Lightning to USB-C cable not charging iPad Air (2019) from MacBook Pro (2020)

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Level 1

4 points

Lightning to USB-C cable not charging iPad Air (2019) from MacBook Pro (2020)

Hi everyone, I've been searching through the forums but no luck so far.

I'm currently using an iPad Air (2019) 64 GB running iPadOS 17.4.1 to run sidecar and a few other apps with my 13" MacBook Pro 2020 (i7, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB) running macOS Sonoma 14.4.1. I have the iPad connected via Lightning to USB-C (brand new Apple-branded cable) to maintain a stable connection and to charge while both screens are on. My MBP is plugged into a power outlet. The battery indicator on the iPad shows that it's charging but is doing so very slowly that the battery is actually depleting rather than charging. I've tried with the cables connected different combinations of all 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports. I've also tried it with an Anker branded Lightning to USB-C cable which used to be able to charge the iPad but no longer does.

Strangely enough, if I connect using a Lightning to USB-A cable with and USB-A to USB-C adapter, the iPad will charge just fine while connected.

I should also note that I've also tried with both MBP and iPad displays asleep but the iPad didn't charge at all even after 1 hour.

Any tips on something I could be missing? Any help is greatly appreciated!

iPad Air 3, iPadOS 17

Posted on May 2, 2024 3:39 PM

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Answer 1

LotusPilot

Level 10

320,518 points

May 2, 2024 4:04 PM in response to jaydonut

These support pages should help with troubleshooting battery and charging issues:

Charge and monitor the iPad battery - Apple Support

If your iPad won't charge – Apple Support

Most models of iPad require a USB Power source rated at 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V) or greater to reliably charge. 5W Power Adapters (1.0A @5V) intended for older models of iPhone are inadequate to charge an iPad; if the iPad charges at all, charging will be very slow. Recent models of iPad are supplied with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter.

Many computer USB ports also cannot source sufficient power to charge an iPad. Unless explicitly designed for charging connected devices, computer USB ports are typically limited to 0.5-1A @5V (i.e., 2.5-5.0W).

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Answer 2

LotusPilot

Level 10

320,518 points

May 3, 2024 3:58 AM in response to jaydonut

Unlike USB Type-A cables, USB-C cables incorporate active electronics. As such, you may note completely different charging behaviour when using different types of USB cable.

Your iPad and Mac support USB PD (Power Delivery) over USB-C. This charging protocol "negotiates" a power profile between the source (power supply) and sink (device being charged) devices which selects the highest mutually supported charging voltage. When using a USB Type-A cable, USB PD is bypassed - the source then defaulting to standard USB 5V charging.

Thunderbolt is an additional interface standard that uses USB-C ports. Your iPad Air3 does not, of itself, support Thunderbolt. That said, a Thunderbolt USB-C cable may be fully usable with your iPad and Mac.

If you are experiencing unexpected behaviour when connecting your iPad to your Mac computer, you might be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page.

Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to offer assistance:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

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Answer 3

jaydonut Author

Level 1

4 points

May 2, 2024 7:49 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thanks for replying. I've read from a few third-party articles that the Thunderbolt 3 ports are capable of delivering 15 W power. I also use the same ports to power a USB-C audio interface requiring 1.5A @12 V so I don't know if it's necessarily an issue with power supply from the MBP being inadequate. That being said, I know that I'm currently using a USB-C cable, not a Thunderbolt cable, to charge. Apple's support website does however state that the cable should be able to charge the iPad when connected to an MBP.

What I'm more confused about is that using the Lightning to USB-A cable that came with the iPad connected via USB-A to USB-C adapter will charge it fast enough while using sidecar but the Lightning to USB-C cable doesn't. It's not a huge deal, but I prefer leaving the USB-A cable connected its own power adapter and use the USB-C cable dedicated to charging my iPad while using the laptop.

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Lightning to USB-C cable not charging iPad Air (2019) from MacBook Pro (2020)

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