Someone in my Destiny community asked whether the USB-C port on the Magic Keyboard for iPad can pass data, or if it’s just for charging. I decided to look it up.
Apple’s support document makes it clear that, unfortunately, the port only does power (check the ‘Charge your iPad’ section, pictured here). But then check the section I highlighted, emphasis mine:
Never connect one end of a USB-C cable to the USB-C port on your iPad and the other end to the USB-C port on your Magic Keyboard
Never!
I need to know what happens! Is Apple hiding the secret to infinite power in broad daylight??
I’m so confused. They said in the top that you can connect iPad - C - KB and it’ll charge.
Then you highlight that it says to never connect iPad - C - KB.
Confused…
You can charge it via either port—plug a cable into the iPad’s direct port on the bottom, or plug a cable into the C port on the keyboard, and the iPad will charge via the Smart Connector that attaches the keyboard to the iPad.
This warning simply tells us not to create a loop between those two ports with a single cable. My post is just a silly joke about using this method to create infinite power.
Seems like a poor design decision. The portables can be charged from either MagSafe or USB-C. You would think this would use similar circuitry where one power input would be ignored while the other was connected.
Seems like a complicated situation. They’re technically two separate devices, one port (iPad) can send power in and out, the other can only send it in (Magic Keyboard). This warning is specifically about connecting a single USB-C cable between the two, which I imagine can create an undesirable loop of power or miscommunication or whatever.
You’d trick the iPad into trying to charge itself. It probably would just drain your battery, but could cause a short or at least unnecessary heating. I don’t want to try it myself.
I wonder if the danger here is that the iPad already powers the keyboard through the Smart Connector. BUT, since the keyboard has no battery, it can charge the iPad back through that Smart Connector. It’s a strange device relationship.
Have an e-fuse that is programmed to blow when this happens killing the keyboard?
Not before transmitting the date, time, an it’s serial number to Apple HQ to void your warranty.
No need, they can simply say that if the fuse is blown, the warranty is voided since the fuse will only blow if the device is used outside of its intended purpose