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iPad Pro 11" 3rd generation use with car AUX port that supports audio input

I have an iPad Pro 11", 3rd generation.

My car has two different kinds of ports:

  1. USB charging ports
  2. and a port that is an AUX port that supports audio input


I also have a XS Max iPhone and an older iPad Air. Both of these devices use USB to lightning cables.

I have 4 braided, USB to lightning cables I've been using to charge the older iPad and XS Max iPhone in the car. The cables do support audio when I plug the XS Max iPhone into the car's AUX port. I can play iTunes songs and don't have to use Bluetooth. (I use Bluetooth with my Garmin)


QUESTION:


How can I use my current lightning to USB cables with my new iPad Pro that has USB-C port so I don't have to buy all new cables for the car? The car's ports are regular USB ports. I would like to charge the iPad in the car AND also use the AUX port to play songs.

  1. Can I buy an adapter that would be lightning female to USB-C male (lightning female goes over the lighting end of my current braided cable; USB-C male goes into iPad
  2. Or, do I need to buy all new cables that are USB male to USB-C male (USB goes into car's port; USB-C goes into new iPad Pro




iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi, Cellular

Posted on Sep 2, 2021 2:23 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 2, 2021 10:54 PM

The answer to your question is No. 2. Buy all new cables that are USB male to USB-C male (USB goes into car's port; USB-C goes into new iPad Pro. The adapters to use your older cables will cost more.

You will need an adapter to get use your audio port in your car. You have a USB-C connector on your iPad. This adapter will be a USB-C to Audio adapter. These are available on Amazon and also at the Apple Store. Use your older cable with this adapter.


Axel F.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 2, 2021 10:54 PM in response to carol333

The answer to your question is No. 2. Buy all new cables that are USB male to USB-C male (USB goes into car's port; USB-C goes into new iPad Pro. The adapters to use your older cables will cost more.

You will need an adapter to get use your audio port in your car. You have a USB-C connector on your iPad. This adapter will be a USB-C to Audio adapter. These are available on Amazon and also at the Apple Store. Use your older cable with this adapter.


Axel F.

Sep 3, 2021 6:23 AM in response to carol333

Be aware that even with an appropriate cable, your car USB Type-A port may not be able to provide sufficient power to charge your iPad.


An iPhone or media player have much lower power/charging requirements than that of your iPad.


Should you attempt to connect your iPad to your car USB port, you will require an Certified USB Type-A to USB-C cable. These cables are not all wired the same; some cables are only charging cables (wired only for USB power) whilst others include all or a sub-set of the data pins.


Why use a Certified USB-C cable? Certified cables incorporate a microchip that provides protection from damaging conditions that might otherwise damage or destroy the USB-C host interface.

Oct 17, 2021 11:28 AM in response to Axel Foley

Axel,


Thank you for your help. I read your answer carefully, and I followed your advice and bought all NEW cables.

I did not get any adapters. I bought two USB male to USB-C male cables - one for the car's AUX port and another for the back of my iMac. I did a lot of reading and made sure they would transfer audio. The cables work in the car's AUX port. I can bypass using Bluetooth and use the AUX port if I wish. It charges too, slowly, but I get the charging icon too.


I also bought charging cables to use for charging the iPad. I bought USB-C male to USB-C male and a USB-C 20W power brick from Apple for charging while at home. I bought two cables and two power bricks. I got braided cables from Amazon, and they work with the Apple 20W power bricks.


BTW, the braided cables I got were from Amazon, and I got "Amazon Basics." They work, but I want to pass on that the connection end of the cables really vary. Some are too tight. I struggle to get them in/out while others slip in easily.


I do have a question:

You mention adapters at Amazon. I did try to find adapters at Amazon. I wanted to see if I could use my older braided USB male to lightning male cables. I had trouble finding an adapter. I have 8 cables I bought for

my iPhone XS Max and older iPad. All 8 of the cables are USB male to lightning male cables. They work with my iPhone XS Max and older iPad. They successfully connect to the AUX port in the car.


You mention trying Amazon for the adapter so I can try and use my USB male to lighting male cables with my new iPad Pro 11". I've looked at adapters on Amazon. They seem to indicate they cannot be used for audio. Is there something I should look for in the description when I buy an adapter for the iPad Pro 11' 3rd generation? The ones I find seem to be very inexpensive, and I'm afraid to order them.


I'd like to see if I can get adapters and keep spares in the cars for the times I might forget my newer cables. I would like to use adapters to connect to my iMac at home and/or the car's AUX port. (iMac is older and does not have USB-C at all. And, its Thunderbird port is too old too. It's mid 2015 model 17,1).


How can I shop for adapters that will work? What do I need to look for in the specs?


I found the following, but they seem to say they do NOT support audio, just charging. So, songs on the iPad would not play.

Can you pleaser tell me how I can find adapters that will support audio that I can use with my USB male to lightning male older cables?


1) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093T2BM6B/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_7?smid=A3R0K9PFKYPMLU&th=1


2) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08RHGS3NB/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A3B7ARPGAYNO0J&psc=1


Again, thank you for your help. You steered me in the right direction. I bought 4 cables, thanks to your advice.

I'm now trying to get a few adapters to keep in each car as backup.


carol333

Oct 17, 2021 11:35 AM in response to LotusPilot

LotusPilot,


Thank you for this response. Based on what you said, I carefully read about the cables I bought.

I ended up buying Amazon Basics cables. I bought USB-C male to USB - C male cables for charging.

I also bought USB male to USB-C male to use in the car's AUX port.


I bought Apple's 20W charging brick/adapters, but I bought the cables from Amazon.


The following work:


1) for charging only: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWDX49D?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

It says: USB 2.0 COMPLIANT: Certified by USB-IF to be compliant with USB 2.0



2) for the car's AUX port to play songs and not use Bluetooth: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D7NNL6F?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Is this one okay to use?


Again, thank you for your help.


carol333

iPad Pro 11" 3rd generation use with car AUX port that supports audio input

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