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[Weaver]

I have a new iPad pro v4 (2020) with a USB-C port on it. Because the stupid new machine, unlike my previous iPad Pro v1, has no analog headphone output, my wife bought me an interface device that plugs into USB-C and provides headphones output and takes dc power at the same time. So, I stuck the device into the USB-C port and now it is completely stuck fast. I daren’t pull any harder for fear of knackering the machine. The machine is under warranty but this is a third-party interface device. Any suggestions ?

[tubaman]

I suspect Apple will wash their hands of it if the port breaks as it's a third party device. Even if it wasn't I think they'd say it was user error. You're right not to force it but am unsure what else to suggest. 

[g3uiss]

A third party phone shop would likely fix that, but I don’t expect there are any you have access to. Perhaps sending by a courier to an Apple approved one might be the solution.

[Weaver]

Could I send it in to Apple for ‘repair’?

A truly crazy idea, would lubricant such as WD40 help? I’m trying to think why/how it has got stuck in the first place. Is there some kind of retracting catch in the USB-C mechanism? Is there some mechanism there to fail?

[petef]

The cause of the problem may well be accumulated fluff in the socket. It is a bit late now but they tend to need cleaning out with something pointed and non-conductive if kept in a pocket without a case. But to answer your question there is no catch, it is only the springiness of the contacts holding the connector in place.

[Alex Atkin UK]

Are you sure its stuck?  USB-C connectors are a lot more robust than past micro/mini connectors so can be a much tighter fit.

The whole engineering idea around USB-C was that the socket should be bullet-proof so that if anything fails, its the plug.  This was after the reverse typically was true of microUSB where the socket would frequently fail.  So pulling it hard shouldn't be an issue.

[Weaver]

I have pulled it as hard as I dare. My fingers are not that strong, luckily as I don’t want to knacker the machine itself.

[tickmike]

Instead of a straight pull try pulling at different angles (few degrees) .
Wiggle it as well.

I would think it's a poorly made plastic part of the plug that may have a rough edge on it and that's stopping it coming out.

[Weaver]

I have tried both the ‘wiggle’ and ‘few degrees’ strategies ideas and I’m pulling with the full strength of my arm, which isn’t saying much, fortunately, as I’m very weak. I really don’t want to knacker the new machine. That would be a true plonker’s move. I put one piece of kitchen roll over my fingers to make the contact more dry, and get rid of any grease on my fingers that might cause them to slip against the plastic.

[parkdale]

The USB C port on the other half's Xiaomi MI 5 fits with a click so you know it's in and locked. She managed to brake the port on cable end, but not the socket! so we have a growing collection of duff C-C cables.

[Weaver]

The ‘fits with a click thing’ makes sense, so I’m thinking that my interface has locked itself in place and done so for good! And it’s not unwilling to unlock itself ever again.

[petef]

If there is some kind of catch you could perhaps try powering the phone off which i would hope would release any electromagnetic lock.

[Weaver]

This is an iPad, not an phone, btw. I did turn the ipad ‘off’ but that probably just puts it into some sleep state as I can’t take the battery out, but it’s what Apple and their users would call an ‘off’ state. I got my thumbnail in behind the edge of the device and nearly broke my thumbnail, but no joy.

[Alex Atkin UK]

There's nothing really elaborate about the USB-C locking mechanism, its just a friction fitting.

[Weaver]

Alex, how can it be jamming that hard? I’m using the full strength of my (feeble) arm to try to pull it out. The pressure between my thumb and finger is at my own limit.