Connecting More than One Device to iPhone

By Kelly Sapergia, 10 January, 2022

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Hi,

I've been using GarageBand for iOS quite a lot these days due to the added accessibility features in the latest version. I like to play its instruments using my MIDI keyboard, which I connect to my iPhone X using the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adaptor.
The issue I'm currently experiencing is that I'd also like to be able to connect my headphones to the iPhone, and possibly additional devices.
Does anyone know if there's a hub or something that will allow me to do this?

Thanks.

Kelly

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Comments

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 - 05:27

I've looked into this before. Best I can tell, USB hubs are supported on iPad but not on iPhone. I could be wrong, but I've yet to find any evidence stating otherwise. If anything has a chance of working, it would most likely be a powered USB hub, since the iphone can't put out that much juice through the lightning port, but that's uncharted territory if you decide to give it a try.

By Wenwei on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 - 05:27

Hi,

Yes. You you can connect a bunch of accessories to an iPad that still uses the proprietary lightning port. I did a quick google search for a potential hub:
https://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Adapter-Converter-Delivery-Compatible/dp/B08T913J3D

I didn't read the reviews, but this should help you get started. I hope you can find something that works out. Good luck!

Edit: I remember looking into this possibility when I was shopping around for iPads. According to several articles and YouTube videos, you can use a hub for your phone, as well. Just make sure to buy something that will allow for passthrough charging so your phone has enough power for the accessories. Please feel free to investigate further. My sources only made off-hand comments and I didn't really question since I had a different use case. Someone who actively looked into connecting multiple accessories to iPhone wasn't able to find substantial evidence.

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Saturday, February 5, 2022 - 05:27

You can simply do the following:
Take audio interface steinberg, for example,
Steinberg UR22 mkII.
It supports connection via camera kit.
Midi keyboard connect with midi cable, Steinberg us connect with camera kit.
Plug in your head set.
Then play.
If you don't know what MIDI is, then get rid of your midi keyboard and all hardware conected with music and MIDI.

Cheers.

By Kelly Sapergia on Saturday, February 5, 2022 - 05:27

As the subject says, thanks for the suggestions. I do not have an iPad, just the iPhone, but will keep these in mind if I do get an iPad.

By OldBear on Saturday, February 5, 2022 - 05:27

I haven't tried this, so not completely sure which specific devices will or will not work. Lightning ports do not support direct hubs, so a splitter will only handle power in and a single device, but you have the USB to camera adapter, so you can plug a powered USB hub into that. From there, you can go for a USB headphone set (preferably without microphone), or get a USB to 3.5mm TRS headphone to USB adapter.
The same goes for a USB III camera adapter. It's lightning port will only provide power if a device is plugged into the USB port, so won't support a lightning headphone etc.
. It may or may not provide enough power to power devices on an unpowered hub.

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Saturday, February 5, 2022 - 05:27

It is not important iPad or iPhone.
The steinberg does suport camera kit.
Read the documentation.
Cheers!