charging is not supported with this accessory

We received this message on attempting to recharge our iPad: Charging is not supported with this accessory. Solution: the cord connecting iPad to plug was only intermittently carrying current (when I "toggled" that connector the battery-charging "bleep" sound was heard intermittently as contact was established or lost). We replaced the plug (probably not necessary) and the connector cord (absolutely necessary) and the problem ended. We believed, based on this experience, that the connector cord in question, almost four years old, had simply lost the ability to make a clean and definite connection. Problem solved, at least in this instance, for us.

Mr. Lawrence could be right. I had a similar problem with my iPhone 4, but it was saying "This accessory is not optimized for this iPhone". That message kept appearing even if there was nothing connected to the iPhone. I solved the problem by cleaning the charging port with some sort of contact spray cleaner, a tootbrush and compressed air. Never had a problem since then. Also, after i cleaned the charging port i used a silicone cover like the one in the picture, to prevent dirt and moisture to get in.

Onclewillie wrote:

Mr. Finch: Are you an electrical engineer? Are you a certified IT technician? Are you a software engineer? Are you a software programmer? Are you tech rep for Apple?

Yes, I am an electrical engineer with 40 years experience. I have also worked as an IT technician, a software engineer who is VP of a consulting company that employees 800 programmers, and I have also been a programmer myself, who, among other things, implemented toll collection systems for several major highways and bridges, a landing system for aircraft carriers and the space shuttle, made contributions to the UNIX operating system while it was still internal to Bell Labs, and did much of the design work on the freight routing system for the SNCF rail network in Europe, to name just a few of my accomplishments. And I have also fixed several iPhones for friends with this problem by cleaning the connector on the phone, which is more to the point.

I am not a tech rep for Apple and have never been employed by Apple in any capacity.

And even in this thread there are people who report that cleaning the connector fixed their problem. And others who say the problem did not occur when they updated, but occurred months after. How do you explain that as a software problem?

As to why some people report the problem after updating, remember that to update you need to connect a cable to the phone, which can push dirt into it or occasionally damage a pin, especially if you don't connect often.

If you have the problem and cleaning the connector doesn't fix it take the phone to Apple and let them deal with it. They will probably replace it.

As to the "large" number of users who have encountered this problem after updating to v5, have you noticed the "large" number of users who reported it for v4.x and v3.x? As far as I can see it is a couple of dozen for v5; that is not "large" when the total population is 150 million. If you want to see "large" see this thread - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3391947, with over 12,000 posts and 1.4 million views (and even that isn't "large" in a population of 150 million).

Thanks a lot for all for this discussion!

I tried many different ways.

And I see this terrrible message again and again.

But now I'm watching my iphone and it is charhing from my MAC lap-top with

charging is not supported with this accessory

message!

Even not very slowly - about 7% for 40 minutes.

And Itune can see my iphone and synchronized it.

So, I will use my cheap charger and will be to ignore this stupid message.

I got an official answer from Apple. Please refer to:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4060?viewlocale=en_US

Please also note that in many cases your iDevice will charge through various attachments, perhaps slowly, regardless of the misleading Dialog or Message shown on your iDevice.

If you actually READ the message that I posted and that you asked a followup question about you would have had the answer to your subsequent question. Try reading it again: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3282416?answerId=24744453022#24744453022

Especially the part that say:

Aftermarket cables are generally OK for any iPhone models before the 5. iPhone 5, 5c and 5s use a proprietary, patented cable that has an active circuit in it, so only Apple or Apple-certified cables will work.

What is happening is there is a signal that a compatible USB power adapter sends to the phone to say that it is compatible. If the pin that this signal is detected on in the dock connector is dirty, corroded or damaged you will get that error message. Pushing the USB cable in only part way "fools" the phone.

Your problem with personal hotspot could also be a dirty dock connector, or it could be that your account with your cellular carrier isn't authorized. See: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4517.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

Your problem with personal hotspot could also be a dirty dock connector, or it could be that your account with your cellular carrier isn't authorized. See: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4517.

I had checked my cellular service; I'm with T-Mobile for which hot spot is allowed.

Regarding the dock connector, I think the description I gave of the problem, rules out any problem at the other connector.

OK Lawrence, talking to you is really useless. For the last time.

• My iPhone worked perfectly fine with both original and other brand charger, just 2 minutes before doing the iOS 5 upgrade (so NO hardware problem)
• Right after the iOS upgrade the other brand charger stopped working, original still works. (so NO hardware problem)
• While trying to charge with other brand charger if I switch WI-FI off my iPhone start charging fine. (so NO hardware problem)
• There are hundreds (in this and other posts on the net) of people having exact same issue with iPhone, iPods, iPads only just after updating to iOS 5. (so NO hardware problem)

Now unless Apple is a religion and you are a priest please admit the evidence and that this is an issue with software that Apple needs to fix.

I had the same issue, unable to charge from my PC or backup battery pack.

On replacement of the charging cable, the phone is now charging without issue.

Looking through the discussions it appears the problem is most likely mechanical connections in the most cases. So steps to take would be:

1. Clean contacts removing dust (don't use liquids!).
2. Ensure the cable is properly seated.
3. Try with another cable.
4. Take it in, as the connector on the device may be damaged. Perhaps even issues with the battery.

At least options 1, 2 and 3 are fairly simple and appear to resolve the issue for most people.

This message appears to be indicating that your device is receiving insufficient power.

Possible causes:

• iPad and iPhone plugged in to same computer (iPad pulling too much current, so iPhone reports low power)
• damaged cable (try another cable)
• damaged power supply (try another brick, or different USB port, or different computer)
• cord only half-way in (pull the usb and 30-pin or lightening and re-insert them)

I noticed this message when I plugged my iPhone 5 in while the iPad was syncing (and charging slowly). After a moment of "oh crap", I unplugged the iPad and the problem went away. This may be a poorly worded way of learning when you have too many things plugged into your USB hub.

I further tested my iPhone and cable with that of a travel companion. It would seem the error is caused by a combination of both hardware and software.

My iPhone is 3GS runing on 6.1.3, the comparison iPhone is 4S running on 7. My USB cable plugged in causes the error in my phone, but not the other phone. The other cable works fine with both phones. When my USB plug is pulled out by 1/16", it works fine with my phone too.

My cable used to work fine before I loaded release 6.1.3. My guess is:

• the software checks for a resistivity threshold of the cable;
• my cable is at the limit of such threshold, and partially pulling it out brings it back within the threshold;
• release 6 introduced a tighter threshold;
• version 7. relaxed the threshold, after many complaints.

Could be due to after market charger, firewire the list is endless.

Try a different charger, USB cable etc.

Clean dock port of iPhone with clean dry toothbrush. If this does not help clean dock port with some Isopropyll Alcohol.

ditto the ideas that Brad suggested..I got this message a while back when I first tried to use an ATT iPhone car charger in a VZW iPhone...but it charged anyway....I'm wondering if it has something to do with the power output of whatever charging device is being used...

I am having the same issue after upgrading to IOS 5.0, however I only get the message when attached to my PC. It worked perfectly fine prior to the upgrade. (same cord, same laptop, etc) I really hope that they get this systemic problem corrected, as it is a pain to not be able to charge while connected.