iPad Pro USBC Hub Pass Through Charging Never Works on iPad Pro

[Night_Ink]

Hey everyone-

So I’ve had this 2020 iPad Pro model since it came out, and I’ve never gotten a usbc hub to actually work with it. I’ve tried 7 or 8 by now, and the “power pass through” option never works, it’s as if it’s being blocked by the iPad.
Otherwise, the regular USB ports will work intermittently.
It’s getting to the point where I may need to just sell this thing and get a regular laptop.
Any ideas?

 

[sparksd]

What kind of charger are you using with your hubs? My Anker hub that works with my 2021 12.9 & Mini 6, uses 15W for its own power.

 

[Night_Ink]

I’m using the charger and cable that came with the iPad. It was my understanding that it’s pass-through power on the hub, and that you should just use the power supply and cable that came with your iPad.

 

[sparksd]

I’m using the charger and cable that came with the iPad. It was my understanding that it’s pass-through power on the hub, and that you should just use the power supply and cable that came with your iPad.

It is not 100% pass-through. I use a 65W charger because, as I noted, a hub uses power itself and a more powerful charger is required.

 

[Night_Ink]

It is not 100% pass-through. I use a 65W charger because, as I noted, a hub uses power itself and a more powerful charger is required.

That’s good to hear. So what you’re saying is, that the hubs advertise themselves to be pass-through power, are not really pass-through power?


If so, that’s fine, I just can’t seem to find any info out there that says you need to get a more powerful charger if you use a hub. Everything says to just use the stock power supply.

 

[sparksd]

That’s good to hear. So what you’re saying is, that the hubs advertise themselves to be pass-through power, are not really pass-through power?


If so, that’s fine, I just can’t seem to find any info out there that says you need to get a more powerful charger if you use a hub. Everything says to just use the stock power supply.

Pass-through with a tax. The description for my hub reads "Supports up to 100W (minus 15W for operation)". And peripherals you attach to the hub will also draw power from the charger input.

 

[Night_Ink]

See? I’ve owned this iPad for almost two years, and have tried so many hubs, and nowhere is this info readily available. “In order to use a hub, you also need a higher-wattage power adapter than what is included with the iPad.” That sentence on Apple’s iPad page would make a huge difference.

So let’s spell this out-

In order to use a usbc hub on a iPad Pro, and charge your iPad at the same time, you will need a higher wattage power supply than what comes stock with the iPad Pro. This is because the iPad requires exactly the amount of power that comes from the stock power adapter. The addition of any hub, and therefor any peripherally connected accessories, will draw power away from the iPad Pro, and charging will not happen.

Would we agree that this is a true statement?

 

[sparksd]

See? I’ve owned this iPad for almost two years, and have tried so many hubs, and nowhere is this info readily available. “In order to use a hub, you also need a higher-wattage power adapter than what is included with the iPad.” That sentence on Apple’s iPad page would make a huge difference.

So let’s spell this out-

In order to use a usbc hub on a iPad Pro, and charge your iPad at the same time, you will need a higher wattage power supply than what comes stock with the iPad Pro. This is because the iPad requires exactly the amount of power that comes from the stock power adapter. The addition of any hub, and therefor any peripherally connected accessories, will draw power away from the iPad Pro, and charging will not happen.

Would we agree that this is a true statement?

Don't know about "exactly" but I believe the gist of this is true. Apple could probably care less about stating that, though.

 

[Night_Ink]

Don't know about "exactly" but I believe the gist of this is true. Apple could probably care less about stating that, though.

Oh for sure, it’s clear that they don’t care, but it’s strange that they offer this powerful “Pro” device, with only one usbc port, and not expect users to add to the system with hubs and peripherals.

 

[sparksd]

Oh for sure, it’s clear that they don’t care, but it’s strange that they offer this powerful “Pro” device, with only one usbc port, and not expect users to add to the system with hubs and peripherals.

I'm sure their view is that by interjecting another vendor's device (or devices with peripherals attached to the hub) between their charger and your iPad, all bets on performance are off. I'd agree with that. It's up to the hub vendor to state what power requirements the hub itself has. And the user needs to understand that additional peripherals attached to the hub will increase the overall power requirements. Apple made a charger for an iPad, not for an iPad plus an indeterminate set of add-ons.

 

[jaytv111]

I use the Apple adapter (with HDMI) and it's always worked with whatever USB-C charger and cable I give it. I have the 2018 iPad Pro with type-C.

I also have another hub that works (non-Apple), I think it worked the last time I used it (don't really use it that much). Also works with my Thunderbolt dock, but that supplies its own power, it's the same mechanism to the iPad as pass-through power on an adapter.

Maybe your iPad is defective. I would try resetting it entirely first, then trying Apple's official adapter, then taking it up with Apple Support if it doesn't work.

 

[Night_Ink]

That’s really interesting to hear about your adapter experience. I’ve tried so many adapters at this point, that I find it hard to believe that it’s the adapter or power supply.


I’d take it up with Apple, but In my experience, they are less than helpful or knowledgeable about anything as specific as this. I usually end up wasting an hour on the phone with tech support.

I'm sure their view is that by interjecting another vendor's device (or devices with peripherals attached to the hub) between their charger and your iPad, all bets on performance are off. I'd agree with that. It's up to the hub vendor to state what power requirements the hub itself has. And the user needs to understand that additional peripherals attached to the hub will increase the overall power requirements. Apple made a charger for an iPad, not for an iPad plus an indeterminate set of add-ons.

that’s a good point. I guess I just figured that there was plenty of power on tap to charge the iPad & run a couple of devices via usb. None of that info is specifically stated anywhere. And the issue of it not charging happens both when just the hub is connected, and if devices are connected to the hub’s ports. The weird thing is that in researching hubs, I’ve watched lots of YouTube vids of people testing and using hubs with their IPP’s , and read a lot of articles online where the reviewers have used hubs with no problems.

So after trying quite a few different brands of hubs, and none of them worked, it started to get frustrating and got me thinking that either my IPad Pro is not working right, or I’m missing something about how this works.

 

[sparksd]

That’s really interesting to hear about your adapter experience. I’ve tried so many adapters at this point, that I find it hard to believe that it’s the adapter or power supply.


I’d take it up with Apple, but In my experience, they are less than helpful or knowledgeable about anything as specific as this. I usually end up wasting an hour on the phone with tech support.

that’s a good point. I guess I just figured that there was plenty of power on tap to charge the iPad & run a couple of devices via usb. None of that info is specifically stated anywhere. And the issue of it not charging happens both when just the hub is connected, and if devices are connected to the hub’s ports. The weird thing is that in researching hubs, I’ve watched lots of YouTube vids of people testing and using hubs with their IPP’s , and read a lot of articles online where the reviewers have used hubs with no problems.

So after trying quite a few different brands of hubs, and none of them worked, it started to get frustrating and got me thinking that either my IPad Pro is not working right, or I’m missing something about how this works.

Can you get your hands on a more powerful charger to test? That would be your best bet.

 

[rui no onna]

Can you get your hands on a more powerful charger to test? That would be your best bet.

This. I'd try to get 45W or higher (60W+ preferable) to make sure there's plenty of juice.

 

[sparksd]

I use the Apple adapter (with HDMI) and it's always worked with whatever USB-C charger and cable I give it. I have the 2018 iPad Pro with type-C.

I also have another hub that works (non-Apple), I think it worked the last time I used it (don't really use it that much). Also works with my Thunderbolt dock, but that supplies its own power, it's the same mechanism to the iPad as pass-through power on an adapter.

Maybe your iPad is defective. I would try resetting it entirely first, then trying Apple's official adapter, then taking it up with Apple Support if it doesn't work.

The HDMI adapter - I also have one - doesn't need external power in and of itself, unlike many hubs which support multiple, different ports, ports which themselves can handle peripherals requiring power (e.g., hard drive). It does a true pass-through charge.

 

[Night_Ink]

Hey everyone- thanks so much for your help. I wanted to report that I bought a 60 watt Anker charger and the hub, pass-through charging, iPad, and connected devices all work as they should.

 

[sparksd]

Hey everyone- thanks so much for your help. I wanted to report that I bought a 60 watt Anker charger and the hub, pass-through charging, iPad, and connected devices all work as they should.

Excellent to hear and thanks for updating the thread with your results.

 

[rocky67z]

Hey everyone- thanks so much for your help. I wanted to report that I bought a 60 watt Anker charger and the hub, pass-through charging, iPad, and connected devices all work as they should.

I have the Anker USB-C Hub 341 and everything works except pass thru charging on my iPad Pro M2. Would you mind sharing the exact model numbers of the hub and charger you purchased that are working properly?

Thanks so much.

 

[sparksd]

I have the Anker USB-C Hub 341 and everything works except pass thru charging on my iPad Pro M2. Would you mind sharing the exact model numbers of the hub and charger you purchased that are working properly?

Thanks so much.

With my M1 12.9, I'm using the Anker 555 hub -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087QZVQJX

I've used it with a number of different chargers, including this -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PP1W7S8

 

[sparksd]

I have the Anker USB-C Hub 341 and everything works except pass thru charging on my iPad Pro M2. Would you mind sharing the exact model numbers of the hub and charger you purchased that are working properly?

Thanks so much.

Had to dig around a bit but I found my Anker 341 hub - I had updated to the 555 from it. I tried it with a 65W PD charger from RAVPower and it does work with pass-through. Most of the chargers I use are 60-65W PD.

 

[rocky67z]

Had to dig around a bit but I found my Anker 341 hub - I had updated to the 555 from it. I tried it with a 65W PD charger from RAVPower and it does work with pass-through. Most of the chargers I use are 60-65W PD.

Thank you @sparksd. I appreciate you trying that out with your old 341. I am going to order the Anker charger you recommended. Until I receive that particular charger, I discovered a very odd (unexpected) workaround. I plugged my wife’s Nintendo Switch USB-C charger into the 341 PD port and it worked nicely. It charged my iPad up and kept it charged for several hours.

Currently, I’m using the 341 with that charger, Samsung 4K monitor, Logitech back-lit wired keyboard and mouse and a Samsung T5 SSD. I couldn’t be more pleased with the configuration, performance and experience overall (including Stage Manager). I have been waiting for this improvement for a long while.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

See? I’ve owned this iPad for almost two years, and have tried so many hubs, and nowhere is this info readily available. “In order to use a hub, you also need a higher-wattage power adapter than what is included with the iPad.” That sentence on Apple’s iPad page would make a huge difference.

So let’s spell this out-

In order to use a usbc hub on a iPad Pro, and charge your iPad at the same time, you will need a higher wattage power supply than what comes stock with the iPad Pro. This is because the iPad requires exactly the amount of power that comes from the stock power adapter. The addition of any hub, and therefor any peripherally connected accessories, will draw power away from the iPad Pro, and charging will not happen.

Would we agree that this is a true statement?

Not 100% true. The iPad requires what the iPad requires. The hub requires what the hub requires. The power supply has to be big enough to support both of those. Apple doesn't know what sort of hub or IF you'll be connecting a hub, so it's not up to them to alert you to this concern.