Late 2013 13" MBP - only left USB port can charge iPad 3

I've actually just seen this on my late-2013 rMBP 15" but with the opposite USB (the one on the left while facing the screen will not charge the iPad mini and will constantly connect/disconnect). The right port seems to work fine.

This just popped up on me today. In addition, the battery icon on the ipad was alternating between "charging" and "battery power". A restart cleared it, but this is just one more problem with my late 2013 and soon to be my last Apple product unless it, and other hardware and software issues are fixed right quick. 😠.

Is this a common issue for everyone?

I initially thought my left USB port (nearest to the CAPS LOCK button) was faulty.

However it charges my iPhone 5 just fine. In fact, both USB ports works fine with the iPhone 5.

HOWEVER, only the right USB port works with my iPad Mini Retina. If I plug it up the left USB, it quickly alternates between 'charging' and 'battery power' (not charging) and comes up with multiple errors on iTunes stating "iTunes could not connect to this iPhone. This device is no longer connected" (despite the fact that it is NOT an iPhone...but an iPad mini). I get the same error as the OP stated (only on the left port): iPad continuously connects and disconnects from the MBP causing havoc in iTunes and a continuous chime from the iPad.

OK, I messed around with this issue over the weekend. Here's what I did:

1. Used iPad 3 until I have run battery down to about 50%

2. Plug in to left USB port on Late 2013 rMBP. Battery icon starts displaying "flip-flop" behavior.

3. Replug into right side USB....no problem, all behaving well.

4. Tried plugging in my iPhone 4s into same cable on left USB port, no problem.

5. Replug iPhone into right side USB....again no problem, all behaving well.

Here's where it got interesting:

6. Exchange charging cable for a newer cable with the smaller-sized 30-pin dock connector.

7. Plug iPad into left USB port...and viola! Battery charging icon is steady...no "flip-flop"!

8. Replug into right side USB....no problem there either, all seems normal.

I have no idea what's going on, but this seemed to have solved prolem. BTW, the older cable, when plugged into wall charger, charges the iPad just fine.

Hope this helps someone else with this problem.

I am having the same issue with Ipad mini ratina, as well as with iPhone5. Latest version of Macbook Air is trash. I had so many issue with it.First wifi connection drop issue, now I cant use it for charging my phone while I am travelling. it *****.

I discovered something that seems to be working. The cable used seems to make a difference. When i had the problem, I was using an old ipod cable. Changed it to a newer cable and the problem seems to have vanished.YMMV, but so far so good.

left USB port (nearest to the CAPS LOCK button)

The Mac Pro (late 2013) black cylinder does not come with a keyboard, so none of its ports are near the caps Lock key.

Do you mean the MacBOOK Pro? that is in a different forum nearby.

Also, with some USB cables the iPad continuously connects and disconnects from the MBP causing havoc in iTunes and a continuous chime from the iPad. This happens on both ports.

Hi,

I have the exact same problam here... With 4 cables from the same provider... Works well with my iPhone 4, not with the MacBook Pro Retina late 2013. Works well too on my friend's older MacBook Pro (non retina)...

Thanks !

Yes it does seem to be a cable problem. I've had this problem using a few third party cables, not with iPad but with my iPhone 5. Left port makes it jitter, right port works fine. One of my cables even gave me the "this cable or accessory is not compatible..." message when plugged into the left port. I doubt I can get Apple to look at it as they will just tell me I shouldn't use third party cables.