New SE arrived but no way to charge it

[lclev]

I do understand the march of technology and how it can help or hinder our daily lives. I am of an age that I could have chosen to not embrace the changes or get on board. I chose to get on board accepting that what is driving tech is a much younger generation and what I think is logically a no brainer they will not see the same way.

I still say when you purchased your SE online there should have been some sort of warning to allow you to add the charging brick. But as I said the decision was most likely made by techies who get a new phone every year and figured everyone had a charger by now. Plus doesn't everyone have a charger with a USB-C port for the provided cable in the box? NO not really as that change type is new.

But I have learned I have to go with the changes in technology realizing I will get bit upon occasion. Probably the most stressful thing for me is moving to a new phone. I have to have all my stuff on it and exactly the way I want it. I stress over missing something or loosing something - so I get it!

Lisa

 

[lclev]

Oh and if you got it from Apple you have a two week return period from the time you received it for a full refund.

Lisa

 

[Marrk]

Using your analogies, when you buy the car, does it come with all the gasoline you may need? Does the dealership tell you that you may need to buy fuel for it? Or change the oil, or do servicing on it. Do you not know that a gun without ammunition is just a hunk of metal? Is it not your expectation that you will need to buy ammunition over and over?

Do you need to be told every little detail of what you buy? Take the wrapper off the hamburger before you eat it? Don't try this at home? Coffee is hot, don't hold it between your legs while driving? People today don't think at all. Why is it "dissatisfying" to hear that Apple can't win, either way? Apple chose to stop providing chargers by default and said that was because chargers are ubiquitous now. The press attacked them, but I note that Samsung is now also not providing chargers any more, so maybe Apple was just out front on this one.

One of the benefits of buying in a real store, rather than online, is that the salesperson usually asks, "Is that all you wanted?" and maybe that triggers the buyer to remember that other item that was needed. But buying online there is no such reminder, so we end up buying later. But when I forget to buy something, it's not the fault of the store, or the salesperson or the website. It's me. And I can't blame anybody but me for not asking, "Do I need anything else?" before I close the deal.

If you want to be a slave to technology, you can. Or, you can tame the technology and use it to your advantage. You don't need to spend endless hours staring at your phone, or your computer, or your TV. You do what you choose to do. Technology is part of it. So is everything else around you. How much time you spend on any area is up to you.

You're being somewhat disingenuous. Apple always knew that the right thing to do was to include a power adaptor. What we are arguing about--talking about, really--is that they stopped doing what they knew all along that they should be doing, and what they, in fact, always did.

Note 1: When I buy a car, it comes with a full tank. Everyone knows that I can't drive off the lot without gas, and the car salesman doesn't want to **** me off by pretending otherwise.

Note 2: You are right. I am only a slave to technology because I haven't figured out a way to get out from under it. Nobody has. That's the problem.

Note 3: I'm concerned about tone on the Internet. In this case, my tone. I want to be clear that, while I may disagree with some of my colleagues on this forum on some few issues, I am not hostile toward them, and I have no less respect for them and for their ideas. All of my interactions on this forum, without exception, have been friendly, beneficial, educational, enlightening, helpful, and kind. That's because the people here are who they are. It's a privilege for me to participate.

 

[billinden]

That's why I recommended buying a USB C to USB A adapter cable. Go to your nearest Best Buy and pickup that cable up and then you can plug your new SE to your iMac and transfer everything via iTunes.

I’ve been so frustrated, I guess I missed your suggestion or didn’t understand it. I’ll do as you suggest. Thank you. You’re the best.

 

[MacInWin]

You're being somewhat disingenuous. Apple always knew that the right thing to do was to include a power adaptor. What we are arguing about--talking about, really--is that they stopped doing what they knew all along that they should be doing, and what they, in fact, always did.

I don't think I'm being disingenuous. But I don't agree with your conclusion. Apple felt the "right thing" was to include a charger when the product line was new, until chargers became so ubiquitous that creating more was an environmental issue greater than the need for another charger for every device they sold. Then they stopped automatically providing it and made the charger an available accessory, not a default with every iPhone and iPad. In Apple's thinking, not providing another charger to add to the pile of chargers accomplished two goals--First, reduce cost to them (and, consequently, to you) if you don't need another charger and second, reduce the demands for various rare earth materials need to make that charger that would either never get out of the box, or would just go into a drawer, never to be used. Maybe a third reason was to reduce the amount of toxic waste from disposing of all these redundant chargers, too. But where it sits now, if you need a charger, you get to buy one. I don't need one, so I don't have to buy one for my devices. Basically, Apple increased the options. I know you don't see it that way, but for me, the fact that my new iPhone didn't have a charger I don't need was perfect for me. I already had multiple wireless stations that charge my iPhone quite nicely. A new wall-wart would have never been put in service. I would have paid for something I don't need or want. By not including a charger as a default, I am happy. That is, for me, what Apple "should be doing" and the "right thing." But I acknowledge that it is "different strokes for different folks."

I'm going to make a suggestion, and it's serious, not meant to be flippant or hostile. Maybe you should consider returning the iPhone SE in the refund window and go buy something else. Given how much emotional energy you have spent on the topic, I suspect that it's going to always eat at you every time you look at it that you didn't get the charger you expected. Consequently, you may not really be able to enjoy the new phone as much as you could have. Why put up with that constant disappointment over an expensive device? Just be aware that other phone vendors are also not providing chargers as a default any more and ask the questions before you buy. Or, just put the issue to the side and embrace the new iPhone for what it is--a well designed and made device--and accept it as it came, charger or not.

 

[Rod]

Does the new SE (and others I suppose) come with a USB-C to Lightening cable now? My SE 20 came with the standard USB 3 to Lightening connection cable. No "blob" of course I certainly didn't need any more of those but with USB 3 at one end I could plug it into "anything" including my car and 2105 MBP. Making it USB-C is very limiting, at least at the moment.

 

[chscag]

Does the new SE (and others I suppose) come with a USB-C to Lightening cable now?

Yes they do. But if you do not have a Thunderbolt 3/USB C port on your Mac, there is no way to plug the newer iPhones to the Mac. Which is why you need a USB C to USB A cable.

BTW, that particular cable is included in the box with all Samsung T5 and T7 external SSD drives.

 

[IWT]

@chscag, Jake et al

When member billinden gets the new cable and connects to the Mac - be it via iTunes or Finder - will there be any problem we should tell him/her about given that the iPhone has already been activated and - big presumption - been set up in his/her name already?

In other words, will it be necessary to return the iPhone to "new" before data, settings and so on are transferred?

I'm probably not explaining myself very well, but I just want things to go well for the OP after so much frustration.

Ian

 

[MacInWin]

@ian, I don't think there will be problems, but it may well be smart to start all over from the beginning and set up the iPhone through iTunes to get what he wants done. I think on another thread he said that when he moved over the SIM his contacts didn't move and he can't sync through iTunes without a cable. To get his contacts back he can sync through iCloud, but if he's not doing that, iTunes or Finder in Catalina/Big Sur will sync the contacts for him.

 

[chscag]

I'm kind of at a loss with the perceived problems that folks have stated with Apple including a type USB C to lightning cable in the box with new iPhones.

Most of us (myself included) have numerous USB A to lightning cables laying around from previous devices we have owned. I don't see the problem with using one of those cables instead of the included one.

Is there any reason why that won't work? An iPhone 12 or SE may charge up somewhat slower using an older cable, but so what?

 

[IWT]

An iPhone 12 or SE may charge up somewhat slower using an older cable, but so what?

And possibly better for the battery too??

Ian

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I don't think I'm being disingenuous. But I don't agree with your conclusion. Apple felt the "right thing" was to include a charger when the product line was new, until chargers became so ubiquitous that creating more was an environmental issue greater than the need for another charger for every device they sold.

BINGO!

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I really hate to infringe on my new friendships, but I'm about to pull whats left of my hair out. I got my charger from Amazon today and finished the charging and software update. Also inserted my old SIM card. No contacts were transferred and my calendar events are gone!!! Yes, I went into settings and hit the transfer contacts option, but no go. I got everything setup with my Bluetooth on my iMac and new phone, but nothing transferred. iTunes totally ignored the existence of my iPhone. Since I have no way of plugging my new phone into my iMac, I have no way to prove I have a new phone to iTunes. I'm checking to see how long I have to return my new SE for a full refund. Please help.

Your contacts don't get imported via the SIM card. You sync via iCloud or iTunes. I also don't understand why you don't use the Lightning cable from your old iPhone. If you were using that cable with this same iMac, then you can still use that same cable. Your old and new iPhones use the exact same Lightning connector. Exact same. You normally just have to worry about the other end that plugs into your iMac as to whether you have the older USB-A or newer USB-C connector. But you don't have to worry about it... you HAVE the right cable already.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Well I do know people who live without tech and don’t want it. My 88 year old mother has no cellphone, a landline and no internet. She has her Spectrum TV service and remote control which is the closest to tech as she gets. I have another friend (55 years old) who is so anti-tech she would love to move to the quiet zone in West Virginia where tech is not allowed - due to the electromagnetic telescopes. She has a landline and TV antenna. She claims all the EMF’s cause her health problems. So there are some around that avoid tech.

When either one of them has something they need done online I get contacted to make it so!

The Amish are still around too. If living without tech is what makes them happy, more power to them. But there are consequences to their choices. I stay on top of technology because I don't want to get left behind in this world the way I've seen how so many people have. But... I also acknowledge that many people get left behind less out of choice and more because they just lack that... knack, education level, or skill set to understand and embrace "technology".

 

[lclev]

is
The Amish are still around too. If living without tech is what makes them happy, more power to them. But there are consequences to their choices. I stay on top of technology because I don't want to get left behind in this world the way I've seen how so many people have. But... I also acknowledge that many people get left behind less out of choice and more because they just lack that... knack, education level, or skill set to understand and embrace "technology".

We have Amish around us and they have some technology. I have Amish neighbors who have flip phones and computers to run their businesses that have electricity. All of it has to be approved by the elders first and most of the time they have an "English" non-Amish partner that sets up all the modern stuff such as tech and electrical services.

I agree that some people do not have a knack for tech. I work with people of all ages and the older they are the harder it is for them as they were not brought up with it and had problems, or never embraced, the changes. I find with most users regardless of age, they can operate their tech but can't troubleshoot it. So if the printer doesn't print or the computer won't boot, they are lost. The younger they are the more they will poke around. The older they are leads to more crossing of arms and calling for help.

Lisa

 

[chscag]

The older they are leads to more crossing of arms and calling for help.

LOL, I'm the tech support for my family just as you are for your family. One of us has to stay current.

 

[lclev]

LOL, I'm the tech support for my family just as you are for your family. One of us has to stay current.

It can be a full-time job!

Lisa

 

[Rod]

Did anyone mention that the SE 20 can be charged wirelessly too? I had a Qi charger already (Belkin) so I didn't even use the provided cable that came with my SE 20 for a few weeks. Setup and restore all done on the iPhone itself.

 

[billinden]

All set up folks. The fine people at Best Buy were used to the problem and sold me what I needed. Thanks to all of you for your kind help and advice. Much appreciated.

 

[chscag]

Glad to hear it. I know how it is with a new phone. My son sent me an iPhone 12 Mini (gift cards) and I just got through setting it up.

It used to be easy but I found out without iTunes and the means to carry over my apps that I had to download them all over again. And it appears that one of my favorite apps was no longer available from the app store so now it's gone for good.

Let us know if we can be of more help and have fun with your new SE.