iOS 16.5 breaks iPhone and iPad compatibility with the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, users say
iOS 16.5 was rolled out to users last week, weeks before Apple is expected to announce iOS 17, the next version of the smartphone operating system. The new update brought minor changes to the Apple News app, a new Pride celebration wallpaper, as well as various bug fixes for Apple services. Shortly after the update was released, users started complaining that the company’s Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter was no longer working after installing the iPhone iOS 16.5 update.
Users recently took to the Apple Community forum, Reddit, and the MacRumors forums to complain that the company’s Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter is not working (via MacRumors) after installing the iOS 16.5 update on their iPhones. The Apple Lightning to USB 3 Adapter (or dongle) allows users to connect a camera using a USB Type-A port as well as a Lightning charging cable to an iPhone or iPad to transfer photos.
Reddit user u/FractalVision420 complained that the Lightning to USB 3 adapter, which they used to power a DJ console, stopped working after the iOS 16.5 update and continued to work on their partner’s phone, which had not been updated.
Meanwhile, user u/Fifanatic replied in a comment that the Lightning to USB 3 adapter they used to charge the iPhone 13 Pro Max and listen to lossless audio on Apple Music via a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), but the device stopped working after the update. This user claims that the iPhone is showing a “consuming too much power” error message, and that both data transfer and basic charging functions have been dropped.
A submission on the Apple Community forum, which appears to have been posted by the same user, also states that the Lightning to USB 3 adapter works as expected on an iPad running an older version of Apple’s operating system. The user states that they have contacted Apple Support and provided feedback to the company. So far, 2 users have responded to confirm these claims, while 41 users have chosen to Me too button at the end of the post.
Meanwhile, user “devel0per” on the MacRumors forums who updated their iPhone XS to iOS 16.5 claims that it shows a “Cannot use accessories” alert because the device is consuming too much power. Using different accessories, adapters, power bricks, or restarting the phone doesn’t solve the problem, according to the user, who claims that the adapter works as expected on two other iPhone models running iOS 16.4.1(a).
While there’s no word from Apple in the user community post explaining why the update broke compatibility with the Lightning to USB 3 adapter, the company could release a software update — iOS 16.5.1, for example — to fix the problem, which could be related to a bug. The company rolled out iOS 16.5 last week, adding small changes like a new Sports tab for Apple TV+ and a Pride celebration wallpaper. The company is testing iOS 16.6 and is expected to unveil iOS 17 on June 5 at WWDC 2023.