iPad Gen 3 iPad Pro 12.9 won't charge

[Bigjet]

So, a Gen 3 iPad Pro, 12.9", over the period of a couple of weeks, slowly gave up the ability to be charged. First it was picky about which charger and cable was usable, then it became intermittently unreliable with any charger/cable combo, and now it just flat won't charge from any source, including my iMac. All indications are that the female connector on the iPad is bad, or the solder used to install it has fractured, or the battery health is such that it just can't accept a charge.

If these assumptions are good, then it would seem likely that the iPad ought to be repairable. Not so, says the Apple authorized BestBuy repair team. That connector cannot be replaced they tell me, and the iPad is doomed. So, it's 2 years and 2 months old. Cost something like $1800 with the pencil and keyboard, and it's not salvageable??? What a deal!! Suddenly my Apple loyalty is being heavily tested. Years of Apple products, at least since OS9, and just about everything you can have that's Apple branded now - iPhones, iMacs, MacBook Pros, Watch, Home Pod, you name, I've got it. But, now, I own a two-year old throw away $1800 solid state item....really?

My ultimate question is, when I get through bitching, has anyone else encountered the same issue with an iPad (although the connector on the iPhone seems to be the same)? Any advice, or calming thoughts would be much appreciated.

Regards to all, and I wish you all perfect Apple reliability,

HS

 

[Applefan2015]

I once had similar issue with my iPhone, turned out there was debris in the charging port.

How to properly clean an iPad's charging port when it won't charge

You can clean an iPad charging port with compressed air and, if that doesn't work, a wooden toothpick. Here's how to do it properly.

www.google.co.uk

 

[Bigjet]

Thanks for the article...I did look in the charging port with a magnifying lens, but couldn't see any contamination. I'd sure like to have one of those special tools for cleaning the USB3 connector....but I'll see if the article might lead to happiness....thanks again!

 

[AutomaticApple]

Thanks for the article...I did look in the charging port with a magnifying lens, but couldn't see any contamination. I'd sure like to have one of those special tools for cleaning the USB3 connector....but I'll see if the article might lead to happiness....thanks again!

Any luck after fifteen minutes or so? I just checked the charging port on my own iPad Pro... just in case!

 

[Bigjet]

No luck, but I do think I saw a slight separation in the little tongue-like piece in the connector. That would do it, I suppose. Now the big question is, was the repair people at Best Buy correct, and it can't be repaired? A fine working iPad in the trash for a ten dollar connector? Damn, I hope not.

 

[DiamondarBoss]

No luck, but I do think I saw a slight separation in the little tongue-like piece in the connector. That would do it, I suppose. Now the big question is, was the repair people at Best Buy correct, and it can't be repaired? A fine working iPad in the trash for a ten dollar connector? Damn, I hope not.

According to iFixit, the USB-C Connector on the iPad Pro is not Soldered on and is completely modular. There is no reason for them to be saying it can’t be repaired. It can.

 

[Bigjet]

Another repair team told me that the iPad can't be opened without breaking the screen. I doubt if that's true, they can, after all, replace batteries. Replace batteries, replace the connector. Anyway, it's over my head. I'll send it back to Apple and hope for the best.

 

[DiamondarBoss]

Another repair team told me that the iPad can't be opened without breaking the screen. I doubt if that's true, they can, after all, replace batteries. Replace batteries, replace the connector. Anyway, it's over my head. I'll send it back to Apple and hope for the best.

Woah, that’s a lie. The iPad can be opened perfectly fine, multiple times. Like I said, the connector is 100% replaceable. But if Apple will fix it for free under warranty, or even for a reasonable repair cost it’s better to go the Apple route.

 

[Conan86]

It has always been the case for iPad that they don’t do repairs even for devices under warranty. They’ll just exchange it with a refurbished/replacement set.

the only way to repair it cheap would be with third party, which would then void the possibility of paying Apple for a replacement. I’d say it highly depend if you have important data that you’d like to retain, if yes go third party, if not and willing to spend a little more, go with Apple since a replacement set is almost as good as new minus warranty..

 

[ericwn]

The device is out of warranty if I got that right hence they will only offer the one service fee that Apple gives anyone outside of the warranty period. That will likely be closer to buying another iPad than the few dollars the port piece will actually cost but that’s their only service option.

 

[Bigjet]

The two third party repair places near me, both decline to repair the iPad based on the description I gave of the problem, that is, that the connector on the iPad is needing replacement. Best Buy, an Apple partner for repair, also said that the device needed to go to Apple for evaluation, and possible repair.

So, I'm kind of in a spot. Returning it to Apple requires a $649 charge. I'm assuming if they can't repair it they'll either exchange it for a replacement, or refund my payment. They're a bit vague on that point. If, as had been mentioned in this thread, a new connector can be installed, but Apple declines doing so, then they've adopted a rather unpleasant business model, which, although maybe leaving a bad taste in one's mouth, also really leaves no reasonable options except for abandoning Apple products...but who really wants to do that?

I'm biting the bullet and returning it to Apple for my $649, plus tax, repair. What choice is there?

 

[rui no onna]

The two third party repair places near me, both decline to repair the iPad based on the description I gave of the problem, that is, that the connector on the iPad is needing replacement. Best Buy, an Apple partner for repair, also said that the device needed to go to Apple for evaluation, and possible repair.

So, I'm kind of in a spot. Returning it to Apple requires a $649 charge. I'm assuming if they can't repair it they'll either exchange it for a replacement, or refund my payment. They're a bit vague on that point. If, as had been mentioned in this thread, a new connector can be installed, but Apple declines doing so, then they've adopted a rather unpleasant business model, which, although maybe leaving a bad taste in one's mouth, also really leaves no reasonable options except for abandoning Apple products...but who really wants to do that?

I'm biting the bullet and returning it to Apple for my $649, plus tax, repair. What choice is there?

Make sure you backup the iPad. They're not gonna repair the connector. They'll send it to China for refurbishment where labor is relatively cheap and you'll get a refurb replacement.

 

[Bigjet]

yes, I backed it up to the cloud, I suppose. Hopefully, I'll be able to figure out how to download it to the replacement machine. Apple, the richest company in the world, nickel and dimes its loyal customers. I wish there was a decent option.

 

[DiamondarBoss]

yes, I backed it up to the cloud, I suppose. Hopefully, I'll be able to figure out how to download it to the replacement machine. Apple, the richest company in the world, nickel and dimes its loyal customers. I wish there was a decent option.

Yeah, it’s best to go the Apple route. You’ll get a like-new iPad and if you back it up you’ll still have all your data.

 

[Bigjet]

So, with a bit of searching I found a repair team that can fix the iPad for about 35% of Apple's charge. They've got quite a number of locations nationwide, "UbreakIfix" is the company. They seem to consider the charge port replacement as a simple routine. Worth checking out if you need them. I'll update this thread once the repair is completed.

Thanks all for your helpful thoughts.

It's good to have options other than Apple and BestBuy.

Cheers!

 

[DiamondarBoss]

So, with a bit of searching I found a repair team that can fix the iPad for about 35% of Apple's charge. They've got quite a number of locations nationwide, "UbreakIfix" is the company. They seem to consider the charge port replacement as a simple routine. Worth checking out if you need them. I'll update this thread once the repair is completed.

Thanks all for your helpful thoughts.

It's good to have options other than Apple and BestBuy.

Cheers!

Nice to hear that a repair shop is willing to repair your iPad! They seem to be a good shop, so I would try going with them! But, if you aren’t that confident in them go the Apple route.

 

[ericwn]

Hope it all works out for you OP!

 

[Bigjet]

They got the iPad this morning, already opened it, checked everything, pinpointed the problem with the $10 charger port connector, and are just awaiting the new connector. I am impressed, and will certainly rely on them for Apple repairs, if needed, in the future.

ubreakifix.com

 

[DiamondarBoss]

They got the iPad this morning, already opened it, checked everything, pinpointed the problem with the $10 charger port connector, and are just awaiting the new connector. I am impressed, and will certainly rely on them for Apple repairs, if needed, in the future.

ubreakifix.com

Hooray! I’m glad it worked out for you.

 

[EasyGoing1]

The two third party repair places near me, both decline to repair the iPad based on the description I gave of the problem, that is, that the connector on the iPad is needing replacement. Best Buy, an Apple partner for repair, also said that the device needed to go to Apple for evaluation, and possible repair.

So, I'm kind of in a spot. Returning it to Apple requires a $649 charge. I'm assuming if they can't repair it they'll either exchange it for a replacement, or refund my payment. They're a bit vague on that point. If, as had been mentioned in this thread, a new connector can be installed, but Apple declines doing so, then they've adopted a rather unpleasant business model, which, although maybe leaving a bad taste in one's mouth, also really leaves no reasonable options except for abandoning Apple products...but who really wants to do that?

I'm biting the bullet and returning it to Apple for my $649, plus tax, repair. What choice is there?

WOAH - $649 to replace a $20 part? That's CRIMINAL ... I'd have fixed it for $100 plus parts.

 

[ericwn]

WOAH - $649 to replace a $20 part? That's CRIMINAL ... I'd have fixed it for $100 plus parts.

That single price service fee for out of warranty iPads and iPhones has always been Apple’s approach. As was mentioned you’re likely to get a refurbished model back.

 

[Ckwilson73]

I just had charging problems on two IPad Pro’s. It acted like the cables were bad, but they weren’t. I got these and now they both charge well.

FONKEN USB C Magnetic Adapter-[2 Pack]

FONKEN USB C Magnetic Adapter-[2 Pack]

www.amazon.com

 

[Pmasterj]

The exact issue happened to me also. It occurred about a month after my AppleCare ran out. I did buy a new one, 5th edition, for $1420.00, and I am waiting for Apple to send me a mailing carton to send the iPad Pro 3rd edition back to Apple and they will credit my credit card with $340.00. I am also contemplating on changing the charging port myself. The tools that are needed are available on Amazon for less than $40.00 and the charging port is less than $10.00. I totally agree with you that Apple should fix this issue for not much more than $100.00 since I’m sure it would take a qualified tech about 15 minutes at the most.

 

[Pmasterj]

The exact issue happened to me also. It occurred about a month after my AppleCare ran out. I did buy a new one, 5th edition, for $1420.00, and I am waiting for Apple to send me a mailing carton to send the iPad Pro 3rd edition back to Apple and they will credit my credit card with $340.00. I am also contemplating on changing the charging port myself. The tools that are needed are available on Amazon for less than $40.00 and the charging port is less than $10.00. I totally agree with you that Apple should fix this issue for not much more than $100.00 since I’m sure it would take a qualified tech about 15 minutes at the most.

The two third party repair places near me, both decline to repair the iPad based on the description I gave of the problem, that is, that the connector on the iPad is needing replacement. Best Buy, an Apple partner for repair, also said that the device needed to go to Apple for evaluation, and possible repair.

So, I'm kind of in a spot. Returning it to Apple requires a $649 charge. I'm assuming if they can't repair it they'll either exchange it for a replacement, or refund my payment. They're a bit vague on that point. If, as had been mentioned in this thread, a new connector can be installed, but Apple declines doing so, then they've adopted a rather unpleasant business model, which, although maybe leaving a bad taste in one's mouth, also really leaves no reasonable options except for abandoning Apple products...but who really wants to do that?

I'm biting the bullet and returning it to Apple for my $649, plus tax, repair. What choice is there?

Look on google on How to replace a charging port on an iPad Pro. Plenty of videos to choose from

 

[Pmasterj]

The exact issue happened to me also. It occurred about a month after my AppleCare ran out. I did buy a new one, 5th edition, for $1420.00, and I am waiting for Apple to send me a mailing carton to send the iPad Pro 3rd edition back to Apple and they will credit my credit card with $340.00. I am also contemplating on changing the charging port myself. The tools that are needed are available on Amazon for less than $40.00 and the charging port is less than $10.00. I totally agree with you that Apple should fix this issue for not much more than $100.00 since I’m sure it would take a qualified tech about 15 minutes at the most.

Look on google on How to replace a charging port on an iPad Pro. Plenty of videos to choose from

They will probably just send you a new iPad, same model and year. Look on YouTube “how to change a charging port on an iPad Pro 3rd edition or whatever model you have. The charging port and the necessary tools are about $30.00