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Some Charging Accessories Not Working With iPad Pro Magic Keyboard

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Some USB-C power adapters and cables appear to be unable to charge the iPad Pro through the Magic Keyboard, according to multiple complaints from MacRumors readers.

ipadpronotcharging.jpg
iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard displaying "Not Charging" in the status bar, via MR reader Hallstar​
Several new Magic Keyboard owners have noticed that there are issues with the passthrough charging, which can refuse to charge when using a third-party cable or power adapter. From the forums:
Has anyone with the new MK experienced any issues in using the pass-through charging port?

I have tried three different USB-C cables and all result in 'Not Charging' being displayed next to the battery icon (See picture).

I have been on the phone to Apple Support for the last hour trying to explain this to them, it would appear to be a hardware issue and they are arranging collection of this one and dispatching a replacement upon receipt of the faulty unit.
Click to expand...
MacRumors can confirm that we've been unable to charge the iPad Pro using Anker's PowerPort Atom and Apple's official USB-C cable. When attempting to charge through the Magic Keyboard's port using this accessory, the iPad refuses to charge and makes the charging sound every few seconds.

Other forum members have reported being unable to use Anker power adapters and charging cables, as well as charging cables from companies like Mophie.

Still other Magic Keyboard owners have had no issues with their third-party cables, so it appears to be an issue that's only affecting some power adapters and third-party cable options.

It's not clear if this is an issue on Apple's end or on the end of the hardware manufacturers who created the cables and power adapters, so more investigation will be needed to figure out what's going on. We've contacted Anker for more information and will update this article when we hear back.

Magic Keyboard owners who want to charge using the USB-C port on the accessory may need to purchase Apple's official charging cables and power adapters to ensure proper charging. At least one forum member was told by Apple's support staff that an Apple USB-C cable is required.

Article Link: Some Charging Accessories Not Working With iPad Pro Magic Keyboard
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/05/12/magic-keyboard-third-party-charging-issues/
Keep in mind that the "Not Charging" indicator doesn't mean what the name implies. It doesn't mean that no power is flowing into the iPad. It means that the amount of current is low enough that it may not be able to keep up with the iPad's consumption.

I used to see this indicator all the time when my iPad is plugged into a standard (not high power) USB port on a computer - one that is limited to 500 mA (2.5W). And I've found that if I'm running high-powered apps, the battery will discharge. If I'm not - if it's either idle or running a low-power function, like installing a software update - the battery does charge. It charges slowly, but it does charge, as indicated by the battery indicator shown by iTunes.

In other words, this indicator should only be seen as an indicator that the power brick isn't providing enough current to charge the battery and operate normally at the same time, not that it isn't charging at all.
 
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whatta said:
Otherwise we are back to the MFI certification for all cables even though it’s usb c.
Click to expand...

All USB-C cables are not of the same quality. Especially for longer cables that require heavier gauge wire to support larger charging currents (with minimal voltage drop). Stay with an Apple cable.
 
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citysnaps said:
All USB-C cables are not of the same quality. Especially for longer cables that require heavier gauge wire to support larger charging currents (with minimal voltage drop).
Click to expand...
No, but it's on Apple to stick to the spec. Even the thinnest cable should be able to trickle-charge the ipad.
 
thejadedmonkey said:
No, but it's on Apple to stick to the spec. Even the thinnest cable should be able to trickle-charge the ipad.
Click to expand...

No it's not. And no on expecting the thinnest cable to work properly. Use a quality and properly spec'd USB-C cable. Don't expect a $5 no-name 6' (or greater) USB-C cable to be within spec.
 
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You all know about the emarker chip that needs to be in the cable for Apple? Likely, Apple need the chip even though the cable is not passing more than three Amps. (Below three Amps, the emarker chip is not necessary until it is.) And then the wall wart has to pass the correct Power Delivery signals......
 
thejadedmonkey said:
No, but it's on Apple to stick to the spec. Even the thinnest cable should be able to trickle-charge the ipad.
Click to expand...

The problem is drawing current through an underspec'ed cable or connector causes it to heat up and potentially catch on fire. There can also be issues like dirt or water contamination of the connectors.

Thus, there are real safety issues that make it a prudent choice to shut down and not attempt anything when something, like voltage drop, appears out-of-spec.
 
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I was lucky that the longer cable I bought on Amazon specifically for MK pass-through charging works just fine.
 
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I had that problem right out of the box. My Anker cables would not charge the MK. I used my Apple issued cable and it worked with no problems.

I returned the MK after a day because, personally my iPP is for entertainment, web browsing, and reading when I'm traveling or in bed. My real work (calm down, I said MY real work) is done on my laptops and I found the keyboard not worth it for very few times it might have been handy.
 
MacRumors said:


Some USB-C power adapters and cables appear to be unable to charge the iPad Pro through the Magic Keyboard, according to multiple complaints from MacRumors readers.

ipadpronotcharging.jpg


iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard displaying "Not Charging" in the status bar, via MR reader Hallstar​

Several new Magic Keyboard owners have noticed that there are issues with the passthrough charging, which can refuse to charge when using a third-party cable or power adapter. From the forums:MacRumors can confirm that we've been unable to charge the iPad Pro using Anker's PowerPort Atom and Apple's official USB-C cable. When attempting to charge through the Magic Keyboard's port using this accessory, the iPad refuses to charge and makes the charging sound every few seconds.

Other forum members have reported being unable to use Anker power adapters and charging cables, as well as charging cables from companies like Mophie.

Still other Magic Keyboard owners have had no issues with their third-party cables, so it appears to be an issue that's only affecting some power adapters and third-party cable options.

It's not clear if this is an issue on Apple's end or on the end of the hardware manufacturers who created the cables and power adapters, so more investigation will be needed to figure out what's going on. We've contacted Anker for more information and will update this article when we hear back.

Magic Keyboard owners who want to charge using the USB-C port on the accessory may need to purchase Apple's official charging cables and power adapters to ensure proper charging. At least one forum member was told by Apple's support staff that an Apple USB-C cable is required.

Article Link: Some Charging Accessories Not Working With iPad Pro Magic Keyboard
Click to expand...
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I have not had problems with pass through charging with a cable I got on Amazon, but sometimes when it is dark in the room the keyboard is not lit, like right now. In the past I found that when I unplugged the cable the backlighting came on, but that does not work now. I am thinking about asking to return this for a refund.
 
Have used a variety of chargers (several Apple chargers - 18, 30,..., mophie powerbank) and cables (apple, belkin, mophie) on the 11 (2018)...
 
I’ve had charging problems with my iPad Pro pretty much from day one. I recently ended up with just one specific working cable/charger combination.
So I was quite pleased when this keyboard came out as it suited my needs, and gave me another charging port. After buying more cables and chargers I can now charge through the keyboard or directly, in very specific ways that work most of the time. I’ve no idea if it’s a hardware or software problem.
 
I'd like to think that Apple has a modest supply of third-party chargers and cables in their labs for testing purposes, including the ultra sketchy kind found in convenience stores, just to prepare for things like this.

Then again, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Apple never tested this keyboard with a third-party charger and/or cable.
 
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