MacBook Pro 14 inch USB-C power output to charge iPad Pro?

[maxsquared]

Hi all,

Not sure if anyone else experience this. I usually use my iPad Pro 12.9 as sidecar with my laptop, with my Intel 16 inch, I would plugin and it would charge the iPad when I am using it, but since I got the MacBook Pro 14 inch, it will charge initially, then stop charging, I was working today, and half way through the iPad shows low battery warning. Does anyone else have this problem? Or is it not meant to charge the iPad?

Thanks,

 

[StevenL94]

By any chance are you using a Thunderbolt cable?

 

[maxsquared]

By any chance are you using a Thunderbolt cable?

No, I tried a few cables, USB-C cable rated 10 gbps, and a USB-C cable for 100w, shall I use a Thunderbolt cable?

 

[StevenL94]

Ah gotcha. There’s currently an issue with Thunderbolt cables with iPad Pro where it keeps flickering on and off on charging and with throughput limited to 480Mbps but not with the standard USB-C charge cable that come with the iPad.

 

[andrewj]

Ah gotcha. There’s currently an issue with Thunderbolt cables with iPad Pro where it keeps flickering on and off on charging and with throughput limited to 480Mbps but not with the standard USB-C charge cable that come with the iPad.

Wow, and I thought I was going crazy! I found this weird behavior too where the iPad Pro charge icon would go on and off when connected with a Thunderbolt 3 (or Thunderbolt 4) to my 16" MBP Pro Max. When I used the USB-C charging cable with the MBP (an older one), this issue is resolved. Moreover, iI got the "trust this" computer alert when I was using the USB-C charging cable, not the Thunderbolt. Finally, Sidecar will work with USB-C charging cable and not Thunderbolt 3 (or 4) cables.

 

[gepal]

There is definitely a problem with the M1 iPad Pro using USB-C charging. I have seen the charge indicator flicker on and off. I tried several cables, including the one provided by Apple, and several chargers. The same cable worked perfectly on 2018 iPad Pro, but not on the new iPad.
I took the iPad to the Genius Bar and they found the same problem with their chargers and cables. They replaced my iPad, but the new one has the same problem, though not as persistently. The Genius Bar people seem to be unaware of an issue.
Not sure if this is a software bug or a hardware problem. It seems to correct for a while if one restarts the iPad, but comes back. I thought it was a physical connection problem as jiggling the USB-C connection seemed to provoke it, but now I think it is a conflict within software.
Need to get the message to Apple.

 

[WildstarBR2020]

Wow. This is happening with my 2018 iPad Pro on my M1 14”. Can’t use Sidecar and charge the iPad at the same time. Will try to change cables here.

 

[BigMcGuire]

It should. My M1 MBP and 2020 intel MBP had no problem charging my M1 iPad Pro 11 via anker USB c cable.

 

[Ephrum]

Made an account to add my anecdotal experience, would love to know if you guys have a solution:

Got a new M1 Pro MBP 14in and set up an iPad pro 11in in sidecar via Anker USB-C 2.0 60W cable. The Anker cable I have works to charge and direct connect sidecar on first plug in, but as soon as the MBP goes to sleep, the iPad stops charging, and will not begin charging again without unplugging and replugging. Sidecar resumes as expected, but charging does not.

Interestingly like others have mentioned, the Apple USB-C cable that came with the iPad works as intended and expected: works for wired sidecar, charges, and remains charging when the MBP goes to sleep. I'm not sure on the specs of the Apple cable comparatively.

Honestly I would love to find a black cable that works, the Apple USB-C cable is the only mismatched color cable on my desk and it hurts me.

Edit: After some more googling I'm finding the Apple cable is 5A, and I suspect my Anker cable is 20V/3A. I'm purchasing a 20V/5A cable and giving it a shot. I know 100W cables have been mentioned in this thread, but worth a shot. Will update!

 

[MRevitt]

I am having this exact same issue and it is driving me mad.

MacBook Pro 16" 2019
iPad Pro 12.9" 3rd Generation

I am certain that this used to charge when connected to my MacBook, but recently this has stopped working.

When connected I can use the iPad for sidecar and sync in explorer but it won't charge and the battery slowly goes flat.

Charges when initially plugged in but stops charging after a few seconds. Tried every port on the MacBook and even tried the charging cable that came with the MacBook but none of them work.

The cable charges fine when plugged into a USB charger, just not when plugged into the MacBook.

 

[Ephrum]

Update: The 100W (20V/5A) cable didn't work as intended, had same issues of cutting out as soon as either the MBP went to sleep or ipad went to sleep.

Seems like the stock cable (explicitly this is a usb-c to usb-c 1m cable that came with the 2020 iPad Pro 11in) that comes with the iPad Pro is the only thing that works as far as I can tell.

 

[WildstarBR2020]

Update: The 100W (20V/5A) cable didn't work as intended, had same issues of cutting out as soon as either the MBP went to sleep or ipad went to sleep.

Seems like the stock cable (explicitly this is a usb-c to usb-c 1m cable that came with the 2020 iPad Pro 11in) that comes with the iPad Pro is the only thing that works as far as I can tell.

Same here - I’m having the same issue. The only cable that offers a stable connection is the one that came with my iPad.

 

[GrantBookPro]

Hello, i am having the same issue just adding to the list

my 11in ipad pro and my 14in m1 max macbook pro are not playing nice
i plug it in with the original USB C cable that came in the box and it charges for 2 seconds then stops. not sure whats happening here im sure its a bug in the mac software but idk where to start. the only thing plugged into the laptop is the ipad. the ipad is unlocked and usb accessories are allowed when locked anyway(in ipad settings) hopefully someone finds a fix or apple fixes it. Im sure apple is working on it because it messes with data connection which isnt good for anyone.

i am on the beta for both the laptop and ipad btw. ill add a feedback request maybe theyll see it, anyway hope we get some love soon. thanks everyone for the info. now at least i know im not the only one.

 

[chrfr]

i am on the beta for both the laptop and ipad btw. ill add a feedback request maybe theyll see it, anyway hope we get some love soon. thanks everyone for the info. now at least i know im not the only one.

There are no current beta releases of macOS or iPadOS so if you’re still running beta versions, you should update to the current releases and test again.

 

[GrantBookPro]

There are no current beta releases of macOS or iPadOS so if you’re still running beta versions, you should update to the current releases and test again.

Not sure what you mean because there was a beta when i got the computer a few weeks ago. i immediately signed it up. reason was i wanted universal control which wasnt out yet. and i dont believe is as of now either. when i got the beta installed universal control worked and i dont want to lose it. my version is 12.3.

 

[GrantBookPro]

Update: looks like apple has fixed the issue. An iPad update was pushed to me recently and it seems to have fixed it. not sure when it was pushed. @chrfr you may have been correct on the update. sorry i doubted you.