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??
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.
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