Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Did I damage my iPad's USB port, by using an iPhone 4 USB cable?

X

XciteMe

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 21, 2009
450
1
Santa Monica, CA
I got an iPhone 4 the day after launch, and just picked up an iPad today.

Instead of unpacking the USB cable that came included w/ the iPad, I just used the one I got with my iPhone 4. They LOOK identical but I'm not sure - both have the shorter dock connecter part (instead of the longer, fatter ones from before).

I noticed the iPhone 4 USB was VERY hard to insert into the iPad firmly... I had to really push and force it. It connected OK, but not very easily. So I went ahead and used the new USB cable that came w/ the iPad, and it fit nice and easy. No force necessary, it just glided into the iPad!

My question is, are the Apple USB cables not interchangeable with other devices? Was I not supposed to plug the iPhone 4 USB cable into the iPad? I really hope I didn't damage my USB port on my iPad.

What gives?
 
? I appreciate it, but any actual answers? Are the USB cables not the exact same dimensions or something? I don't know why the iPhone 4 one was so hard to plug in.
 
I don't think they changed anything with the iPhone 4. I've been using all my Apple cables interchanged amongst all devices. I have cables from my iPod Nano 2G that I use with my iPad without issue and vice versa.

Are you sure you did not have it upside down in the port?
 
They should be the same. We've got several USB cables that came with various iDevices lying around the house, and we just grab the nearest cable and use it with whichever device we want to charge/sync. We couldn't tell you which cable came with which device anymore. Not sure why one cable will fit tighter than another, maybe just manufacturing variance.
 
They are the SAME cable. Completely interchanchable. All usb iPhone, iPod and iPad cable will all work the same, which the exception of how they disconnect. The wall plugs, however are different, with the iPad requiring the 10 watt version, which looks exactly the same as some older 5(?)watt ones, which could over heat whit the added draw from the iPad. But the cables are all the same.
 
The new cables are junk. I've used several different ones I've had lying around, no issues. The iPad, I don't think was designed to speck, I have two, and both have tight cable slots.

I've seen many a response on chargers and have not heard of ANY over heating, nor have I experienced using different ones.

If apple thought it to be an issue, the would have designed them to be very different.
 
Apple has made three primary versions of the dock connector cable over the years; FireWire, USB and Hybrid FW/USB. The only type that works on the current iDevices is the USB only version. That said, no dock connector cable will damage your device, they merely wont work (the last iPhone to work with all cables was the 2G). Apple has changed the style of the USB plugs on each end (most notably to remove the locking clips), but this is essential cosmetic.

Either your iPad/cable may have a defect, or something else was obstructing the port. If you are using a case, make sure it does not block the port. Also look to see of any debris is lodged into the iPad. I would be worried about the force required to insert the plug, but so long as everything still works, you should be fine. If you have any trouble, I'm sure Apple will take care of you.
 
Considering the dock to VGA lead is compatible with the iPhone 4 and iPad I doubt it very much. The dock is supposed to be common to all i devices from 2nd gen iPod onwards.

Its possible your iPhone 4 lead has a manufacturing flaw.
 
Although they haven't changed the dock connector spec, I think the ones that came with iPhone 4s have stronger springs in the side 'teeth' that hold the cable in. I noticed the other day that my iPhone 4 cable was a struggle to fit in my iPad, and wouldn't fit in my iPhone 3GS at all. They are the same voltage and everything so you shouldn't have damaged the iPad so long as you didn't bend the pins or anything as you put it in.
 
My first iPad come with a locking sync cable but the last 2 come with standard cables! The locking one def fitted better than the normal ones.
 
^ The locking clip adapter fitted better because there was a mechanism to lock it in the port. The new style is just insert and pull out. Easier to detach and just like the MagSafe, it won't damage the internal port if someone tripped over the cord.
 
I kept the first one and the pus by accident:D I use that one when I browse with cable plugged in. It don't fall out then.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back