iPhone 12 Pro New iPhones require a USB-C port to charge/transfer data?

[aliensporebomb]

Maybe this is old news but I've got an older Mac system (Corei7 5k iMac from 2015).

I just got my new iPhone 12 Pro Max two days ago.

Turns out that if you plug in the phone to a standard lightning cable to a USB-3 port the iMac doesn't see the phone apparently.

I've tried it with my iMac and a Windows 10 laptop.

But, if you use a USB-3 to USB-C adapter to the cable that comes with the phone it charges and transfers data fine.

And if I connect the USB-C to lightning cable to the Windows PC the phone charges and also data transfers.

I suppose this is old news or I should have assumed it but I could see a lot of people bring irritated by this.

 

[MrAperture]

That seems off, maybe you need to update USB drivers for your Windows laptop? I’ve transferred pics from my 11 Pro Max to Windows 10 with no issues using a regular lightning cable.

 

[aliensporebomb]

Oh so dumb. It's my pristine lightning cable that's not even a year old. Delicate as rose petals apparently.
I have a spare that works fine. Nevermind.

 

[Resqu2]

I transferred my data from a backup to my 12 pro Max using my IMac and an old usb cable that was laying around. It was charging the entire time to.

 

[3rdiguy]

I do know that I tried to do wired iPhone to iPhone data migration and it didn’t work. That was weird. Last year it was quick and seamless and whole device was copied over in about 30 minutes. Not this time

 

[bodonnell202]

Oh so dumb. It's my pristine lightning cable that's not even a year old. Delicate as rose petals apparently.
I have a spare that works fine. Nevermind.

Yeah the Apple cables don't seem to last - I've had several that look pristine but won't transfer data any more (but will work for charging). I think Apple prioritizes making the cable skinny over durability.