If you recently plugged in Apple’s Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, you were likely met with an alert requesting an update for the device. The update is performed over the air directly via the iOS device that the dongle is connected to. It’s not clear what new enhancements or bug fixes, if any, are included with the new update, but there are no glaring user-facing changes that we’ve spotted thus far.
When you connect an official dongle, such as Apple’s USB Camera Adapter, you’ll find a new section in the iOS Settings app dedicated to the device under the General section. This area includes information pertaining to the device, such as manufacturer, model number, serial number, firmware version, and hardware version.
Prior to agreeing to the update, the firmware version for the Apple USB Camera Adapter was at 1.0.1. After plugging the dongle into my iPad and agreeing to the requested update, the firmware saw an update to version 1.0.5. This new firmware appears to have been released sometime within the last month or so.
When you first plug in the device, you’ll see an Accessory Update Available alert appear on-screen. The alert asks: “Would you like to update ‘Apple USB Camera Adapter’”? You can defer the update until later by tapping the Later button, or proceed with the update by tapping Update.
The process of updating the Apple USB Camera Adapter firmware is simple, but it does take a minute or so to complete. Once the update is completed, you can venture over to Settings → General → Apple USB Camera Adapter. There, you’ll find that the firmware version has been updated to version 1.0.5.
Keep in mind that this firmware release is for Apple’s Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter. The standard USB 2.0 Camera Adapter did not receive a firmware update. To learn about the benefits of the USB 3.0-enabled adapter, be sure to read our full hands-on review.
Firmware updated to version 1.0.5
Unlike an iOS update, Apple doesn’t provide release notes with its USB Camera Adapter firmware update. Thus, it’s unclear as to what the update fixes or changes, but there are no obvious changes that appear at the surface other than an updated firmware version.
It could be possible that this update enhances compatibility with certain cameras, such as just-released high-profile products like Panasonic’s GH5, it could also have some bearing on audio compatibility since this adapter is primed for podcasting and voiceover workflows on the iPad. If we hear any specific details regarding what the update includes, we’ll be sure to update this post.
