New iPad, USB C and older Macs

[iapplelove]

I’m still using my MBP from 2012 as my main laptop.

Plan on upgrading to a new iPad which had usb C.

I know they make usb C to A adaptors but I’m wondering if they will be ok.

Sometimes devices need official Apple adapters to work ?

I do use iCloud for back ups but also back up to iTunes.

I plan on starting this iPad out as new but need to sync to my Mac for photos etc. and eventually back ups.

Anyone else planning on using an older laptop ?

 

[Ipadlover29]

I have a late 2013 MacBook Pro and I was wondering the same as you. I was at the apple store earlier today trying to figure which adapter or cable will work. This is confusing.

 

[iapplelove]

I have a late 2013 MacBook Pro and I was wondering the same as you. I was at the apple store earlier today trying to figure which adapter or cable will work. This is confusing.

Apple sells a USB C to A. But what we need is a USB A to C. Apple doesn’t make one.

They sell some cheap ones online. Not sure what would and woudnt work.

 

[jaytv111]

Should not pose any problem. You can use a straight USB-C to USB-A cable, but make sure either of them support USB 3.0 speeds so that you don't get slower speeds than you could get (unless the Mac does not support USB 3.0, in which case any cable or adapter could work).

USB data is pretty straightforward about this. As long as one is the host and the other is the peripheral then it's fine, you can connect any number of combinations, USB-C to USB-B, USB-A to USB-C, USB-C to USB-C, USB-A to USB-B, etc.

 

[Ipadlover29]

Apple sells a USB C to A. But what we need is a USB A to C. Apple doesn’t make one.

They sell some cheap ones online. Not sure what would and woudnt work.

I noticed that. I was really close to buying it in store then realized it wasn't the right one. I do own a belkin usb c to usb a cable that I use with my Apple TV 4th gen. I wonder if that will work? I also have to buy a new cables for fast charging. I purchased 2 usb c to lightning cables a few months ago just so I can use then for fast charging with the 29w adapter. Guess I need to buy usb c to usb c for those. This is getting expensive. Apple should have given us an adapter or dongle.

 

[jaytv111]

Apple sells a USB C to A. But what we need is a USB A to C. Apple doesn’t make one.

They sell some cheap ones online. Not sure what would and woudnt work.

As long as it's a reliable brand, any cable should do if it has USB-A on one end, and USB-C on the other. For faster speeds, ensure it says it's USB 3.x (or otherwise known as Superspeed). Unless the Mac is only USB 2.0, in which case it won't matter if the cable supports 2 or 3 because it'll be slowed down by the Mac.

 

[iapplelove]

As long as it's a reliable brand, any cable should do if it has USB-A on one end, and USB-C on the other. For faster speeds, ensure it says it's USB 3.x (or otherwise known as Superspeed). Unless the Mac is only USB 2.0, in which case it won't matter if the cable supports 2 or 3 because it'll be slowed down by the Mac.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah my 2012 cMBP is only 2.0 anyways. Just wasn’t sure about compatibility issues. I know it’s a USB A to C we need. Which would be a male end into the laptop.

Edit..it’s usb 3.0

 

[Wpaulo]

I have a late 2012 iMac . Looks like I would need a male USB -A to female USB-C adapter or a thunderbolt one or two to USB-C female. I spent about an hour and can’t seem to find anything like this.
I Won’t order until I get this figured out and hopefully will get some good input on this site.

 

[Binarymix]

I have a late 2012 iMac . Looks like I would need a male USB -A to female USB-C adapter or a thunderbolt one or two to USB-C female. I spent about an hour and can’t seem to find anything like this.
I Won’t order until I get this figured out and hopefully will get some good input on this site.

There are plenty of USB A to c cables on amazon for cheap....

 

[jaytv111]

Which would be a male end into the laptop.

If this is a question, the A plug goes to the A port of the laptop.

I have a late 2012 iMac . Looks like I would need a male USB -A to female USB-C adapter or a thunderbolt one or two to USB-C female. I spent about an hour and can’t seem to find anything like this.
I Won’t order until I get this figured out and hopefully will get some good input on this site.

There aren't USB-C adapters with female ports (because it's supposed to be disallowed by the spec).

You're overthinking this. You get a cable with USB-A on one end and USB-C on the other. They plug directly in, no adapters. One side USB-A to the iMac or other Mac with USB-A port, the other side to USB-C on the iPad.

 

[iapplelove]

I have a late 2012 iMac . Looks like I would need a male USB -A to female USB-C adapter or a thunderbolt one or two to USB-C female. I spent about an hour and can’t seem to find anything like this.
I Won’t order until I get this figured out and hopefully will get some good input on this site.

Yes, you will need the male end of the usb A. Apple does not make one. Not sure about thunderbolt adaptors as I have that input also.

I’m just not sure what iTunes will say with all these adapters.
[doublepost=1540946010][/doublepost]

If this is a question, the A plug goes to the A port of the laptop.



There aren't USB-C adapters with female ports (because it's supposed to be disallowed by the spec).

You're overthinking this. You get a cable with USB-A on one end and USB-C on the other. They plug directly in, no adapters. One side USB-A to the iMac or other Mac with USB-A port, the other side to USB-C on the iPad.

Haha nope no question. But the A side has to be the male end. So it would be A to C. My only thoughts were if iTunes would allow a sync with 3rd party adapters since Apple doesn’t make one.

 

[Binarymix]

Yes, you will need the male end of the usb A. Apple does not make one. Not sure about thunderbolt adaptors as I have that input also.

I’m just not sure what iTunes will say with all these adapters.
[doublepost=1540946010][/doublepost]

Haha nope no question. But the A side has to be the male end. So it would be A to C. My only thoughts were if iTunes would allow a sync with 3rd party adapters since Apple doesn’t make one.

I’ve transferred data to my AppleTV 4k with an A to c cable no problem. The Apple TV didn’t allow power through the USB c port, but the iPad will so I can’t see an issue. I don’t think Apple will be as locked down with USB c as it isn’t their patent, and they also have the new USB lockdown in iOS if you haven’t authenticated.

 

[Wpaulo]

If this is a question, the A plug goes to the A port of the laptop.



There aren't USB-C adapters with female ports (because it's supposed to be disallowed by the spec).

You're overthinking this. You get a cable with USB-A on one end and USB-C on the other. They plug directly in, no adapters. One side USB-A to the iMac or other Mac with USB-A port, the other side to USB-C on the iPad.

[doublepost=1540947513][/doublepost]

If this is a question, the A plug goes to the A port of the laptop.



There aren't USB-C adapters with female ports (because it's supposed to be disallowed by the spec).

You're overthinking this. You get a cable with USB-A on one end and USB-C on the other. They plug directly in, no adapters. One side USB-A to the iMac or other Mac with USB-A port, the other side to USB-C on the iPad.

Thanks for your very clear response somehow I was thinking I had to connect to the new cable I really just have to connect to the new iPad. USB-A to USB-C cable would do it. Now see if I can find one .

 

[jaytv111]

Haha nope no question. But the A side has to be the male end. So it would be A to C. My only thoughts were if iTunes would allow a sync with 3rd party adapters since Apple doesn’t make one.

In this case, it's not meant to be "adapted". You're supposed to use straight cables. A USB-C female port isn't supposed to be on an adapter of any kind (although some people have made their adapters with female USB-C, but that's not spec-compliant).

Also you mentioned Thunderbolt with your Mac. That Apple TB2 to TB3 adapter is meant to work only on Thunderbolt devices (and can convert in either direction). They must be Thunderbolt on both ends to use that adapter (and a TB2 cable and not a mere DP cable). The iPad Pro does not support Thunderbolt so that adapter won't do anything.

 

[iapplelove]

In this case, it's not meant to be "adapted". You're supposed to use straight cables. A USB-C female port isn't supposed to be on an adapter of any kind

Yeah that’s what I’m sayin... Not sure how new google phones plug into older laptops. It would be the same.

 

[jaytv111]

Yeah that’s what I’m sayin... Not sure how new google phones plug into older laptops. It would be the same.

Yeah, the Google phones usually include 2 cables. One is USB-C to USB-C, the other is USB-A to USB-C. The C to C is the better charging cable but it also plugs right into USB-C equipped computers for file transfers. The USB-A to C can be used with "legacy" USB chargers, but also can be used for file transfers with computers that have USB-A.

I had the Nexus 6P and that's how it was then. Only difference with more modern devices is that they usually have USB 3.x for faster transfer speeds (and the iPad Pro has the fastest transfer speeds at 10 Gbits), whereas my Nexus was stuck at 2.0.

 

[has.marvel]

Yes, you will need the male end of the usb A. Apple does not make one. Not sure about thunderbolt adaptors as I have that input also.

I’m just not sure what iTunes will say with all these adapters.
[doublepost=1540946010][/doublepost]

Haha nope no question. But the A side has to be the male end. So it would be A to C. My only thoughts were if iTunes would allow a sync with 3rd party adapters since Apple doesn’t make one.

Has anyone asked Apple about the iTunes sync over the USB-C connection. You can't even do a wifi sync until you have wire connected to the iPad. Seems like a heck of a hole they left in the process for those of us we ripped CDs and DVD's into iTunes and want to put them on our new iPads.

 

[ZivaD]

Apple sell the adapters on the site, even on the ”you might also be interested” bit when buying the new pros

 

[iapplelove]

Apple sell the adapters on the site, even on the ”you might also be interested” bit when buying the new pros

They sell USB C to A. Not the other way around.

 

[abeasom]

Has anyone asked Apple about the iTunes sync over the USB-C connection. You can't even do a wifi sync until you have wire connected to the iPad. Seems like a heck of a hole they left in the process for those of us we ripped CDs and DVD's into iTunes and want to put them on our new iPads.

I started a thread about this yesterday. No replies. I'd like to know how to back up and restore from my Mac Pro 2013, which does not have USB-C/Thunderbolt 3. I bought some USB-C to USB-A cables from Amazon. I'm hoping they work.

 

[iapplelove]

I started a thread about this yesterday. No replies. I'd like to know how to back up and restore from my Mac Pro 2013, which does not have USB-C/Thunderbolt 3. I bought some USB-C to USB-A cables from Amazon. I'm hoping they work.

Hey didn’t see the thread, and my MBP is a year older than yours.

We need a usbA to C, not C to A. I don’t think Apple has an answer yet cause they just don’t know.

Currently Apple does not offer a usb A to C, just C to A. And as someone else posted, adapters won’t work itunes will reject it.
[doublepost=1540982780][/doublepost]I plan on calling Apple today, see if they have any ideas. And will post what they say!

 

[iapplelove]

I called Apple, and they said a USBC to A then a standard USB cable from the adapter to the Mac should be fine.

He said should be haha. I guess I will try that first, I don’t even know if I have any standard usb cables male to female hanging around

 

[jaytv111]

I called Apple, and they said a USBC to A then a standard USB cable from the adapter to the Mac should be fine.

He said should be haha. I guess I will try that first, I don’t even know if I have any standard usb cables male to female hanging around

That makes no sense. They're misinformed or don't understand the situation.

The C to A adapter is for the host side, so a new USB-C computer can talk to older peripherals with USB-A. The Mac is the host here. The iPad the peripheral. They can't connect through this adapter.

Here, buy this: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics...ocphy=9002245&hvtargid=pla-330599580634&psc=1

Do not try anything else, you may damage either or both devices if you try some non-standard method.

 

[iapplelove]

That makes no sense. They're misinformed or don't understand the situation.

The C to A adapter is for the host side, so a new USB-C computer can talk to older peripherals with USB-A. The Mac is the host here. The iPad the peripheral. They can't connect through this adapter.

Here, buy this: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics...ocphy=9002245&hvtargid=pla-330599580634&psc=1

Do not try anything else, you may damage either or both devices if you try some non-standard method.

I agree, I explained the situation twice but the rep insisted.

Will check out your link thanks.

Edit. I saw this cable and was almost going to buy the one google makes as well. They include theirs with the phones.

 

[applesith]

Apple should hopefully release another adapter soon to allow the new iPad Pros to connect to USB-A computers. I have a 12" MacBook and tend to use USB when I sync wired for transferring long files (otherwise I use Wifi).

My USB-C hub only has one USB-C port, for charging, so I want a USB-A to USB-C so I can connect my new iPad Pro while charging my MacBook.