I'm using an adapter to plug into my Macbook Pro's firewire port to charge. It charges, but iTunes can't see the phone unless plugged in through USB. Just wondering if there is a workaround? Thanks.
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Can iTunes see iPhone using FIREWIRE?
- Thread starter legaleye3000
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The last few generations of iPods can only charge via FireWare. Haven't seen any workarounds. Would assume the iPhone is the same. 
The last few generations of iPods can only charge via FireWare. Haven't seen any workarounds. Would assume the iPhone is the same.
No, actually the last few generation of iPods CAN'T charge via firewire.
Same with iPhone.
It'll work for charging only, because that's hardwired to the battery through the dock connector. The power pins are constant (as you'd expect--otherwise plugging in the wrong cable would cook your iPod/iPhone). The data pins are also constant, but the problem is that there's no FW hardware inside to "talk Firewire" to the computer.
There can be no workaround for something that just isn't there. The one possible solution is a translator with a USB input and a FW output, but the cost simply would not be worth it, since it would require the translator to act more or less like a full blown computer thanks to USB's fundamental design limitations.
There can be no workaround for something that just isn't there. The one possible solution is a translator with a USB input and a FW output, but the cost simply would not be worth it, since it would require the translator to act more or less like a full blown computer thanks to USB's fundamental design limitations.
I thought the word was that the FW chargers use a different voltage or something that the USB ones and shouldn't be used on the iPhone.
Yep
Most of the posters are correct. There isn't a firewire bus inside the iPhone to control it, but the power pins and both USB and FW cords are the same, so it will charge.
Not a damn thing to be hacked here. You can't modify what isn't even there.
I've resorted to using my old firewire cords with power adapters and reserving the USB for syncing purposes.
Most of the posters are correct. There isn't a firewire bus inside the iPhone to control it, but the power pins and both USB and FW cords are the same, so it will charge.
Not a damn thing to be hacked here. You can't modify what isn't even there.
I've resorted to using my old firewire cords with power adapters and reserving the USB for syncing purposes.
Actually the voltages for FW can occupy a much wider range than USB. But the dock connector uses separate pins for USB and FW power. So if Apple didn't want them to charge via FW they could easily just disconnect those pins from the dock and a FW cable would do no damage.
I"m using SendStation's firewire adapter to plug into my Macbook Pro... Is charging it that way not recommended? Thanks
My 2G Nano charges too, but it won't sync, which is also displayed on the display when you connect a fw cable.
Dock connector pinout
For anyone who questions whether or not FireWire battery charging is recommended or harmful, check out the link above.
The FireWire and USB provide their power on completely separate pins. If Apple did not intend for the FireWire interface to recharge the battery, then they would not have routed the FireWire power pins. Since the iPhone does charge via FireWire Apple must have routed the FW power to the battery charging circuitry knowing full well that the interface would only be used if a FW cable were present.
Charging your iPhone via FW is not harmful in any way. If it were an unacceptable method for charging the iPhone would just lay like a lump when connected to FW instead of charging.
For anyone who questions whether or not FireWire battery charging is recommended or harmful, check out the link above.
The FireWire and USB provide their power on completely separate pins. If Apple did not intend for the FireWire interface to recharge the battery, then they would not have routed the FireWire power pins. Since the iPhone does charge via FireWire Apple must have routed the FW power to the battery charging circuitry knowing full well that the interface would only be used if a FW cable were present.
Charging your iPhone via FW is not harmful in any way. If it were an unacceptable method for charging the iPhone would just lay like a lump when connected to FW instead of charging.
iPhone killed by firewire
Hi
FYI this guy has his iPhone toasted when plugging in using a firewire cable.
Exercise caution.
Hi
FYI this guy has his iPhone toasted when plugging in using a firewire cable.
Exercise caution.
Didn't actually happen or there was a short in the device otherwise that caused the problem. I know because I use by iTrip Auto that only has FW power on it, and don't have any issues, except that the iPhone doesn't charge.
TEG
dumb question..
why buy an adapter to use on the iPhone when your MBP has USB to charge your iPhone?
why buy an adapter to use on the iPhone when your MBP has USB to charge your iPhone?
Except that Firewire is vastly superior, and faster than USB.
Because there are many older devices for iPods etc, that are based on the 12V power that Firewire uses, and if the device can't charge on Firewire, these devices won't charge the device. Also, many people use all their USB ports for other things, but have extra FW ports, so why not use it for other purposes.
TEG
BTW - I'm fully aware of the age of this thread. It just required comment for the thread digger.