iPad and iPod USB cables interchangable?

Question

Level 1

14 points

iPad and iPod USB cables interchangable?

For the last few months I have been using two iPod USB cables to sync and recharge my iPad. A week ago I used the iPad cable (the one that came with the iPad) for the first time. I now find that neither of the two iPod cables I had been using works.

I have tried both iPod cables with two different Macbooks and two external chargers and cannot get the iPad to mount or recharge with either. Using the iPad cable works every time with the iPad and both iPod cables work flawlessly when connected to an iPod.

I have read elsewhere in this forum that these cables are supposed to be interchangeable, which is what I would have assumed too.

Can anyone explain this?

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4), iPad, iPod Touch, iPod Classic

Posted on Sep 27, 2010 7:32 AM

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Answer 1

Pico384

Level 1

4 points

Oct 14, 2010 5:22 AM in response to humulus

On my first sync I used the cable that came with the iPad. I just tried it for the second time and neither the iPad cable or a couple iPod cables work. The iPad charges but won't sync with iTunes. The device is not recognized it seems. I just upgraded my MacBook to Snow Leopard...not sure if that has anything to do with it. Ant ideas?

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Sep 27, 2010 8:53 AM in response to humulus

It sounds like your iPod cables used to work and not they do not. Thus, it appears there is either a problem with the 30 pin connector on the cable (since the Ipad still works fine with the iPad cable) or a wire or two broke in the iPod cable.

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Answer 3

humulus Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 27, 2010 8:56 AM in response to Jerry E

Strange indeed... the iPad cable works fine with the iPod but not the other way around. I also started using the 10W power adapter at the same time I switched cables. I can't see how that would have any effect, but at this point I don't know what to think.

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Answer 4

humulus Author

Level 1

14 points

Oct 13, 2010 4:31 AM in response to Philly_Phan

Really, nobody else has seen anything like this? My experience is completely consistent--both iPod cables charge and sync the iPods, but neither will charge or sync the iPad. Only the iPad cable works with the iPad and it works perfectly.

By empirical evidence I can only conclude iPod and iPad cables are NOT 100% interchangeable.

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Answer 5

Pico384

Level 1

4 points

Oct 14, 2010 5:23 AM in response to humulus

On my first sync I used the cable that came with the iPad. I just tried it for the second time and neither the iPad cable or a couple iPod cables work. The iPad charges but won't sync with iTunes. The device is not recognized it seems. I just upgraded my MacBook to Snow Leopard...not sure if that has anything to do with it. Ant ideas?

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Answer 6

schneggs

Level 1

0 points

Nov 5, 2010 11:56 AM in response to humulus

I'm getting the same problem: iPod versus iPad cables don't appear compatible. I'll investigate a bit more and highlight the problem. (Right now I'm 98% certain that an iPod cable can't be used by my iPad).

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Answer 7

Nov 6, 2010 8:09 AM in response to humulus

Your cables are not wrong or defective. However, the iPad needs a power adapter that iPhone or iPod does not. This is why an iPad would not charge with a cable from the other two devices. iPhone and iPod do not need the power adapter. These different needs are the same as for the MacBook and MacBook Pro. They are not interchangeble because they have different needs for power adapters.

Hope this helps in answering your question.

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Answer 8

Apr 17, 2011 9:18 PM in response to humulus

Unfortunately, they are not perfectly interchangeable, however you should be able to use any dock to USB connector for any iOS device.

Each one uses a 30 pin connecter, and even though it might not seem like the two would ever work with one another, they do; I have tried it with a Classic and my iPad.

Not damage, no problems.

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Answer 9

Apr 17, 2011 9:36 PM in response to humulus

There is no difference in the cables, they are exactly the same.

The iPad has higher power requirements and will not charge on a standard USB port or charger designed for an iPhone/iPod.

iPad requires a high power USB port or 2amp/10 volt charger.

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Answer 10

humulus Author

Level 1

14 points

May 17, 2011 5:38 AM in response to Johnathan Burger

I disagree, based solely on empirical data. I continue to be able to connect and charge my iPad with my iPad cable but not the cables that came with either of my iPods. These older cables work perfectly with my iPods so I have come to accept they are different somehow. I have no idea in what way, but they are.

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Answer 11

May 17, 2011 6:20 AM in response to humulus

I use my iPad cable and AC charger to charge my iPad. My iPod cable (I think it's from my most recent Nano but I'm not sure) to connect all of my iOS devices to my computer (iPhone, Nano, iPad). We charge both iPads and iPhones at work. Although we always use the correct AC adapter for the device, the cables get changed around all the time as I've never felt the need to label them. With 4 iPhones, and 3 iPads (not including personal devices that get charged on the same chargers) we've never noticed a difference. The iPads involved are both generations and both carriers. The iPhones are all Verizon iPhone 4s.

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Answer 12

Jerry E

Level 1

15 points

Sep 27, 2010 7:50 AM in response to humulus

That is strange! I also use both the cable from my iPod Touch and the iPad cable and both work fine on both devices.

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Answer 13

humulus Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 27, 2010 9:00 AM in response to lllaass

It's possible, but for two iPod cables to break in the same way at the same time seems very unlikely. And both still work to charge and sync my iPod.

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Answer 14

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Sep 27, 2010 9:15 AM in response to humulus

I have gotten into the habit of using my iPod cable 100% of the time that I connect the iPad to my Mac. My conclusion is that the two cables are identical.

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