Some Charging Accessories Not Working With iPad Pro Magic Keyboard

[Unregistered 4U]

I'd like to think that Apple has a modest supply of third-party chargers and cables in their labs for testing purposes

If they did, they would be as examples that DON’T meet the spec and that should fail when used with the iPad Because a fully compliant third-party cable is functionally identical to a fully compliant Apple cable, so no need to keep the compliant ones around!
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You all know about the emarker chip that needs to be in the cable for Apple?

As we’re talking about the USB-C standard, if Apple says their ports are USB-C compliant, then they wouldn’t be able to require more than the standard allows for a particular use case. The emarker isn’t there for Apple, it’s for every company making cables of a certain type.

 

[ssh]

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.

As have I. I’ve found various combinations which work, others which don’t. My current hypothesis is a threshold sensor (either hardware or software) not sensing or not resulting in the correct settings. I’ve found that the voltage doesn’t matter in ways it logically should (a MacBook Pro port charges via the pass through port, but a 100W Anker power supply doesn’t, but the latter charges through the iPad’s port, while the former doesn’t!).

I’ve also seen a long-standing state (charging from the 100W supply) stop working when I start a heavy use app (Webex, specifically). AppleCare has not been able to assist (yet?). This is an issue from before the MK.

 

[sbrunner]

Might be a power profile issue. Run into this with a Sonnet eGPU enclosure that does not support the 96W profile of the new 16", falling back to the older 87W profile.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

For charging, any USB-C cable theorically should work. You should only need the official cable for high speed transfers.

Now, I haven't had charging problems with anything. But even the official cable doesn't see to work for data transfers through the MK port, so I didn't think it was supposed to. I haven't tried transferring files, it's just that I've had the MK plugged in to my Mac mini for the purpose of doing wired Sidecar or just otherwise being able to sync with iPad with my Mac-- doesn't seem to work? If it is supposed to, I will try again.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

But even the official cable doesn't see to work for data transfers through the MK port, so I didn't think it was supposed to.

You’re right, it doesn’t support data transfer, likely because the Smart Connector doesn’t.

 

[alandanziger]

Mine is plugged in via a USB-C to USB-A cable, and plugged into an Anker (or Aukey or something similar) charger with 5 USB-A and 1 USB-C. It worked fine (albeit slowly) from the day I got it until this morning when I saw the "Not Charging" alert... I pulled the USB-C out of the magic keyboard, stuck it back in, and then it started charging again just fine.

I say this not because I dispute the original report, but because all the people above who think Apple is locking out third party stuff are just plain wrong.
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Now, I haven't had charging problems with anything. But even the official cable doesn't see to work for data transfers through the MK port, so I didn't think it was supposed to. I haven't tried transferring files, it's just that I've had the MK plugged in to my Mac mini for the purpose of doing wired Sidecar or just otherwise being able to sync with iPad with my Mac-- doesn't seem to work? If it is supposed to, I will try again.

Nope, you're right - the MK port is documented as being limited to charging only.

 

[telecine]

You’re charging it wrong

 

[Moi Ici]

A few times initially when I first got the keyboard it wouldn’t charge, now it does charge. Go figure. However, when charging Via the keyboard a lot of features do not work correctly. The cursor won’t respond or pages won’t t scroll via the track pad or the arrows. All this works fine when the usb c cable is plugged directly into the iPad (2018 11”). Using an apple approved 42W plug and a Baseus (spendy) usb c cable.
Hoping this is a software fix. Have to say mailing this back at the present time is a pia

 

[SimonMScott]

Interesting....

I’ve had mixed issues with mine.

iPad Pro 12.9” 2020 (without Magic Keyboard attached, using USB-C port on iPad Pro)

Official Apple 18W charger and Apple cable - Works perfectly

Anker Atom 60W charger with Anker Powerline+ III cable - Works perfectly


iPad Pro 12.9” 2020 (with Magic Keyboard attached, using Magic Keyboard USB-C port)

Official Apple 18W charger and Apple cable - Works perfectly

Anker Atom 60W charger with Anker Powerline+ III cable - Works intermittently. i) Sometimes it charges with no interruption. ii) Sometimes it makes a charging sound then instantly stops charging. iii) Sometimes no charge, but when you unplug and plug in again, it starts charging.

Very odd! Not an issue if you don’t need to use the port on your iPad Pro for anything else, but I do mostly have other accessories or hubs plugged in there so I need a reliable extra power source.

Note: Despite the intermittent charging with the Magic Keyboard / Anker only option, I have never seen the “Not Charging” option.

 

[stephen82]

For me, it seems to be the wall adapter. I have a couple of anker cables - one 6” and one 10” that work fine for pass through charging with the wall chager that came with my new Pad Pro and the 18w Anker charger I purchased, but when I use the ones that came with my phones and some cheaper third party chargers, pass through charging doesn’t work.

 

[Jmco173]

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.

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

Using an Anker power brick and Anker usb c cable and have no problems at all

 

[The Game 161]

Clearly putting it in wrong

 

[okeribok]

Serves you right for buying a hideously overpriced piece of suckerware and ruining the market for sanely-walleted people.

 

[dwd2112]

I am using an Amazon cable and Apple USB-C supply which works fine. However, the Innergie 60 watt supply and cable does not work. Using an Apple cable makes this o.k...

 

[Davidalan]

Using Apple USB C 2m cable and several HyperJuice USB_C GaN 100W charger (2-USB-C 2USB-A ports) so far no problem either direct to to an iPad Pro 12.9 Gen 3 and Gen 4.

https://www.hypershop.com/blogs/news/hyper-announces-worlds-first-100w-gan-charger

 

[GtrDude]

Bottom line: iPad is not yet ready as a mainstream computer.

Yes it does a lot of thins well but if you want to hook up a 30 inch monitors and use it like a computer it doesn’t work very well.

Not to mention the horrendous file sharing capabilities and reading external hard drives.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

4-Port USB Charger, EGOWAY 90W Wall Charger, 60W & 18W Dual USB C Wall Charger and Dual USB A Ports 12W, Multi USB C Charger for MacBook, Phone and More. (White)

Multi-Port Charging: 1 x USB C 60W(Max), 1 x USB C 18W(Max), 2 x USB A Port(USB 1+USB 2=12W), total output: 90W(60W+18W+12W), Supports QC 3.0 Fast Charging

smile.amazon.com

I have my MKF plugged into this on my desk with no problems.

 

[hifismith]

Just got my MK today. Using a first party (Apple) charger, I’m not able to charge my iPad. Has anyone seen this issue?

Edit: just cleaned the back of my iPad. There must have been some particles blocking the connection. It’s working now

Edit 2: Stopped working. Might be defective

 

[pdaholic]

I’m using a mag-safe type of adapter from Amazon. Charges fine using the iPad port, but gives the “not charging” message going through the magic keyboard. Turns out it actually IS charging, albeit slowly. Other mag-safe brands I have work fine through both ports.

 

[Patrick.m92]

Well I’m using an Apple Branded 30W charger. But cable is third party, I’ll see what’s up.

 

[Wesley Lo]

mine only works when the lid is closed, or 20-ish degree angle opened, i’m not sure why.

i am using apple’s usb c to usb c that came with my ipad pro.

 

[shfawaz]

I’ve had nothing but issues with my 12.9” iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard. Using normally reliable various third party USB C cables with my Anker 100wattt Power Port Atom PD 4 USB C, the iPad starts out charging when I first plug in via the port on the Magic Keyboard. Eventually (within a few minutes) the charging simply stops (green battery turns white) and the iPad starts draining. The same cables plugged directly into the iPad work and charge fine, but through the Magic Keyboard, no joy. Even using the Apple supplied power cable with the Anker PD4, and same thing happens. I just plugged in the original Apple 18w power adapter And Original Apple USB cable, and everything seems to be working fine.

 

[richimages]

using a Romoss 20,000 mah power bank ...

• Going from the USB-C PD out to MK pass-though usb-c, results in the keyboard lights blinking ... and no charging indication at all.
• Going from the (Fit+) USB-A out to pass-through delivers 5.1 volts and 1.2 amps.
• Going from RoMoss (Fit+) to regular usb-c in on the iPad 12.9" delivers 5.0 volts with 0.9 amp. ??? Looks like it may charge faster thought the pass-through port than straight into iPad ... but I can not use usb-c PD out to usb-c pass-though. I must use USB-A out ...

 

[SARDog]

I use a magnetic AS cable plugged into the USB port of a surge protector through the keyboard and it seems to be charging fine. A friend just got her 12.9 and it is not charging through the MK.