Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter is directional

Question

Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter is directional

I just bought a new 12" MacBook and also Apple's USB-C Digital AV Multipart Adapter. The first time I plugged in the adapter I got a screen message telling me there was an update for the adapter and did I want to install it. I ran the install routine twice and it did not update the adapter either time. I tried to think what could be wrong - then I unplugged the unmarked male USB-C plug, turned the adapter over, and ran the install routine again. This time the routine did update the adapter.

So it turns out the male USB-C plug, which, like the charging cable plug, is not marked on either side, is actually directional! This makes me wonder if the USB-C male plug on Apple's USB-C to USB adapter is also directional? It also makes me wonder what might go wrong, e.g., data corruption, if I use either of these adapters plugged in "the wrong way" to back up my new MacBook to an external USB drive.

Is anyone aware of this USB-C male plug directionality, and do you know of any problems that can occur if the plugs are plugged in upside down?

OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on May 18, 2016 8:01 AM

Reply

Answer 1

May 18, 2016 10:53 AM in response to fourwheelcycle

Apple support told me the adapter is NOT directional and that it must have just been a coincidence their adapter update routine did not run properly the first two times and then did run properly when I turned over the adapter and plugged it in the other way.

Since I have now updated my adapter from version 1.56 to version 2.33 there is no way for me to try to run the routine again with the adapter plugged in both ways. It would be great if anyone else could check on this and let me know what you encounter.

Reply

Answer 2

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

May 19, 2016 11:33 AM in response to fourwheelcycle

Verify that you're using the adapter in the correct orientation, not like this guy: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7566662

Reply

Answer 3

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

May 19, 2016 12:00 PM in response to fourwheelcycle

Is anyone aware of this USB-C male plug directionality,

Follow the guidance provided by the diagram on the back of the box. The short male USB-C goes into your MacBook.

Reply

Answer 4

k2ted

Level 1

4 points

May 27, 2016 1:34 AM in response to fourwheelcycle

Thanks for this. I would never have tried this.

For weeks now I have had the update window popping up every time I plug my adapter in. Regardless of how many times I run the update and my machine rebooted, when it again detects my adapter, the update pops up yet again. I have done this 20 or 30 times so far.

After reading your post, I tried turning it over. My slight OCD means that I always orientate the adapter so that the power, video, usb icons are on top, where I see them; always. Now that I have it upside down; with the 'Designed by Apple in California' information facing upwards it has updated perfectly. Bang; first time. After successive removals and reinsertion the update window has not reappeared.

Don't think it is a coincidence. There is something different.

Reply

Answer 5

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

May 27, 2016 8:24 AM in response to k2ted

The adapter is only designed to be used in one direction as depicted by the diagram on the back of the package.

Reply

Answer 6

May 27, 2016 10:18 AM in response to Lanny

Lanny,

#1. If you look at the internal wiring layout of a USB-C connector (I Imagine you have done this) you will see that the 12 connector pinouts are symmetrical at the two grounds, 1 and 12, and at the power pins, 4 and 9, but all the other pins appear to be "unique" with regard to their designated use. Based on this, it appears a USB-C connector could be directional or non-directional, depending on how it is wired internally. If it is a simple charger connector or a bus power output that only uses the ground and power pins it would probably non-directional, but if it is wired to an internal chip, or to two or more outgoing ports for other than simple power purposes, like an HDMI connector, it could possibly be directional. I imagine one would have to strip down an actual Apple adapter to see how it is wired inside.

#2. I know what I experienced, and I believe what k2ted says they experienced.

#3. Apple told me, in a Support Chat, that the adapter is NOT directional. Apple told me it must have been a coincidence that mine upgraded when I turned it over and ran the upgrade routine again.

#4. I have no further comments, except that I am NOT an expert and I cannot explain my experience or k2ted's.

Reply

Answer 7

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

May 27, 2016 11:20 AM in response to fourwheelcycle

The short wire on the adapter, the one with the male USB-C plug, is designed to be plugged into the MacBook's USB-C port. It is not designed to be plugged into the Power Supply brick.

It's that simple.

The proper connection is as diagramed on the back of the packaging for the adapter.

Reply

Answer 8

May 27, 2016 11:50 AM in response to Lanny

Lanny,

I guess I have not been clear in my use of "directional". I don't mean plugging the adapter into the Mac with the three ports leading toward the Mac, using an intervening male to male cable or adapter. I mean plugging the adapter directly into the Mac, adapter male into Mac female, then unplugging it, turning it over, top side to bottom side (or bottom side to top side!), and plugging it directly back into the Mac, same adapter male (turned over) into Mac female.

Reply

Answer 9

k2ted

Level 1

4 points

May 27, 2016 3:08 PM in response to Lanny

Lanny,

Yes, I got that. I'm not that stupid.

As I said, I always plug the adapter in with the three icons for power, video and usb facing upwards when lying flat on the desk. Like that it would not update.

To get it to update I had to take it out, rotate the usb-c short cable you talk about over so that the whole adaptor is now upside down, with the designed by Apple and other writing was facing upwards, what I would term upside down.

Hopefully that is clear.

Reply

Answer 10

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

May 27, 2016 7:10 PM in response to k2ted

Hmm, if that's the case, then it should have made no difference. Perhaps there is an issue with either the adapter's plug or the MacBook's port.

The arrangement of the conductors in the plug and the port would have to be symmetrical to allow the plug to be reversible. Perhaps, one side of either the plug or the port is not making a good connection. Other than wiggling the connection, or trying another adapter, it would require some trial and error testing to identify the cause.

Note: Normally, the USB-C connector design has been described as being, "reversible or flippable," as opposed to being "non-directional."

Reply

Answer 11

EricMic

Level 1

4 points

Sep 19, 2016 7:41 AM in response to k2ted

I concur. Just flipped it upside-down, and it worked right away, after many trials in the 'slight-OCD normal' configuration. Who knows, maybe the update is to actually fix this issue?

Reply