Connecting iPhone to Portable Monitor

[James Godfrey]

Hi all,

Just looking for a bit of advice. I have bought a cheap portable display from Amazon which you can connect an iPhone to using either a mini hdmi to hdmi cable using a USB-C adapter or you can just use the USB-C cable that comes supplied with the monitor.

I have an issue when connecting just with the supplied USB-C in that when sound is played the display cuts out and disconnects. The display works fine using the hdmi/adapter method, this only happens when connecting with USB-C.

Is there a reason for this? Do I need a specific cable to connect directly into the USB-C port on the display.

Looking online Apple suggests using their Thunderbolt 4 cable, but not sure if this will work. My iPhone is the 16 Pro.

Thanks

 

[xxFoxtail]

Do you have a laptop or iPad you can connect to the monitor with USB-C? Does it do the same thing?

 

[James Godfrey]

Do you have a laptop or iPad you can connect to the monitor with USB-C? Does it do the same thing?

I do but for what I need, I have to connect my phone unfortunately

 

[xxFoxtail]

I do but for what I need, I have to connect my phone unfortunately

I'm just curious if the same issue happens with one of those devices. That will rule out a faulty USB-C cable. Possibly a faulty USB-C port on the monitor.

 

[James Godfrey]

I'm just curious if the same issue happens with one of those devices. That will rule out a faulty USB-C cable. Possibly a faulty USB-C port on the monitor.

I will try later and see what happens it may that the USB cable provided is poor quality too so if it does the same with those devices I will order an official Apple cable and see if that sorts out the issue.

 

[saber32au]

I suspect it will be the cable itself...

Perhaps try another USB C cable from a decent manufacture (ie Apple, Belkin, Anker...heck the Amazon basic USB C cables are decent) and see if you experience the same issues.

For what it's worth, my cheap USB C cable is perfectly fine to charge devices, but doesn't work as a cable to transmit images to a monitor (ie laptop - > USB C cable connected to docking station -> monitor).

Replace the cheap USB C cable with a USB C cable from Apple or Amazon...and suddenly the monitor works perfectly fine.

 

[James Godfrey]

I suspect it will be the cable itself...

Perhaps try another USB C cable from a decent manufacture (ie Apple, Belkin, Anker...heck the Amazon basic USB C cables are decent) and see if you experience the same issues.

For what it's worth, my cheap USB C cable is perfectly fine to charge devices, but doesn't work as a cable to transmit images to a monitor (ie laptop - > USB C cable connected to docking station -> monitor).

Replace the cheap USB C cable with a USB C cable from Apple or Amazon...and suddenly the monitor works perfectly fine.

Yes I have ordered the USB-C Pro cable see if that works as I have read that the standard USB cable that comes with the phone is for charging only… not sure if this is true or not, I am yet to try it

 

[James Godfrey]

I'm just curious if the same issue happens with one of those devices. That will rule out a faulty USB-C cable. Possibly a faulty USB-C port on the monitor.

Tried my iPad today and that works fine seems to be an issue with the iPhone only leading me to think that it’s something Apple has done so you have to use their cable maybe?

 

[xxFoxtail]

Tried my iPad today and that works fine seems to be an issue with the iPhone only leading me to think that it’s something Apple has done so you have to use their cable maybe?

It wouldn't hurt to try another cable if you have one. Have you tried power cycling the monitor and iPhone? And clearing any dust/lint out of the charging port?

If you happen to have another USB-C monitor, does the issue happen with that one too?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Tried my iPad today and that works fine seems to be an issue with the iPhone only leading me to think that it’s something Apple has done so you have to use their cable maybe?

Crud in the port is the more likely cause.

"When you hear hoofbeats, think horses - not zebras"

 

[deathnite]

Tried my iPad today and that works fine seems to be an issue with the iPhone only leading me to think that it’s something Apple has done so you have to use their cable maybe?

What iPhone model do you have?
I'm using a 3rd party USB-C to USB-C 3.2 cable to connect my iPhone 15 Pro Max to a monitor and both audio and video are working fine.

 

[James Godfrey]

It wouldn't hurt to try another cable if you have one. Have you tried power cycling the monitor and iPhone? And clearing any dust/lint out of the charging port?

If you happen to have another USB-C monitor, does the issue happen with that one too?

Yes I have two and it happens with both. It’s also happening with Apple’s cable also.

Hey! The problem might be that the USB-C cable isn't handling both the video and audio at the same time. some cables just don’t have enough bandwidth for both, which could be causing the display to cut out when sound plays.

Apple suggests their Thunderbolt 4 cable because it’s built for better speeds and handling more data, so it might fix it, but not all USB-C cables are the same. You could try using a cable that's certified for video and audio, or maybe check if the display needs a specific type.

Unfortunately it also does it with Apple thunderbolt 4 cable too.

What iPhone model do you have?
I'm using a 3rd party USB-C to USB-C 3.2 cable to connect my iPhone 15 Pro Max to a monitor and both audio and video are working fine.

I have the 16 Pro…

I think I have solved the issue in that the monitor needs to be plugged in also. It was advertised as being able to be powered off the phone, but I am thinking that both audio and video at the same time is too much of a battery drain as my iPad works fine with no issues for both audio and video.