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%Begin What Is a Lightning Connector? And Do You Need One?
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%Begin What Is a Lightning Connector? And Do You Need One?
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Liam Wilson 1 minutes ago
GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > iPhone & i...
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His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer ...
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GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones &gt; iPhone & iOS 415 415 people found this article helpful <h1> What Is a Lightning Connector?</h1> <h2> And does your Apple device need one?</h2> By Daniel Nations Daniel Nations Writer University of Texas at Arlington Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994.
Aria Nguyen Member
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GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > iPhone & iOS 415 415 people found this article helpful

What Is a Lightning Connector?

And does your Apple device need one?

By Daniel Nations Daniel Nations Writer University of Texas at Arlington Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994.
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Brandon Kumar 7 minutes ago
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lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 22, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Rev...
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His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator.
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His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator.
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Ryan Garcia 3 minutes ago
lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 22, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Rev...
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lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 22, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25&#43; years&#39; experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email <h3> In This Article</h3> Expand Jump to a Section What Is a Lightning Connector What Can It Do?
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lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 22, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section What Is a Lightning Connector What Can It Do?
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Sebastian Silva 4 minutes ago
Adapters Extend Its Uses What Else Does It Work With? Compatible Mobile Devices Frequently Asked Que...
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Adapters Extend Its Uses What Else Does It Work With? Compatible Mobile Devices Frequently Asked Questions The Lightning connector is a small connection cable used with Apple&#39;s mobile devices (and even some accessories) that charges and connects the devices to computers and charging bricks.
Daniel Kumar Member
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Adapters Extend Its Uses What Else Does It Work With? Compatible Mobile Devices Frequently Asked Questions The Lightning connector is a small connection cable used with Apple's mobile devices (and even some accessories) that charges and connects the devices to computers and charging bricks.
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Evelyn Zhang 11 minutes ago

What Is a Lightning Connector

The Lightning connector was introduced in 2012 with the ar...
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<h2> What Is a Lightning Connector </h2> The Lightning connector was introduced in 2012 with the arrival&nbsp;of the iPhone 5 and, shortly thereafter, the iPad 4. It remains the standard way to both charge them and connect them to other devices such as a laptop, although some devices, such as the 2018 iPad Pro, might use USB-C instead of Lightning as its standard connector. The cable itself is small with a thin Lightning adapter on one side and a standard USB-A adapter on the other.
Thomas Anderson Member
access_time 30 minutes ago

What Is a Lightning Connector

The Lightning connector was introduced in 2012 with the arrival of the iPhone 5 and, shortly thereafter, the iPad 4. It remains the standard way to both charge them and connect them to other devices such as a laptop, although some devices, such as the 2018 iPad Pro, might use USB-C instead of Lightning as its standard connector. The cable itself is small with a thin Lightning adapter on one side and a standard USB-A adapter on the other.
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Isabella Johnson 10 minutes ago
The Lightning connector is 80 percent smaller than the 30-pin connector it replaced and is fully rev...
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The Lightning connector is 80 percent smaller than the 30-pin connector it replaced and is fully reversible, which means it doesn't matter which way the connector is facing when you plug it into the Lightning port. Flickr / randychiu <h2> What Can the Lightning Connector Do </h2> The cable is primarily used to charge the device. The iPhone and iPad both include a Lightning cable and a charger that is used to connect the USB end of the cable into a power outlet. The cable can also be used to charge the device by plugging it into the USB port of a computer, but the quality of the charge you can get out of your laptop or desktop PC will vary.
Ava White Moderator
access_time 14 minutes ago
The Lightning connector is 80 percent smaller than the 30-pin connector it replaced and is fully reversible, which means it doesn't matter which way the connector is facing when you plug it into the Lightning port. Flickr / randychiu

What Can the Lightning Connector Do

The cable is primarily used to charge the device. The iPhone and iPad both include a Lightning cable and a charger that is used to connect the USB end of the cable into a power outlet. The cable can also be used to charge the device by plugging it into the USB port of a computer, but the quality of the charge you can get out of your laptop or desktop PC will vary.
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Ethan Thomas 13 minutes ago
The USB port on an older computer may not supply enough power to charge an iPhone or iPad. The Light...
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Natalie Lopez 12 minutes ago
It can also send and receive digital information, so you can use it to upload photos and videos to y...
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The USB port on an older computer may not supply enough power to charge an iPhone or iPad. The Lightning connector does more than just transmit power.
David Cohen Member
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The USB port on an older computer may not supply enough power to charge an iPhone or iPad. The Lightning connector does more than just transmit power.
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It can also send and receive digital information, so you can use it to upload photos and videos to your laptop or download music and movies. The iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch interact with iTunes to synchronize files between your iOS device and your computer. The Lightning connector can also transmit audio.
Ella Rodriguez Member
access_time 27 minutes ago
It can also send and receive digital information, so you can use it to upload photos and videos to your laptop or download music and movies. The iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch interact with iTunes to synchronize files between your iOS device and your computer. The Lightning connector can also transmit audio.
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Harper Kim 23 minutes ago
Starting with the iPhone 7, Apple ditched the headphone connector in its smartphone lineup. While t...
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Thomas Anderson 8 minutes ago
Lightning-to-USB Camera Connection Kit. This device effectively gives your iPhone or iPad a USB...
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Starting with the iPhone 7, Apple ditched the headphone connector in its smartphone lineup. While the rise of wireless headphones and speakers drove Apple&#39;s decision, the latest iPhones include a Lightning-to-headphone adapter that connects the devices to headphones with miniplug connectors. <h2> Lightning Connector Adapters Extend Its Uses </h2> A broad market of Lightning adapters extends the capability of your portable Apple devices.
Aria Nguyen Member
access_time 40 minutes ago
Starting with the iPhone 7, Apple ditched the headphone connector in its smartphone lineup. While the rise of wireless headphones and speakers drove Apple's decision, the latest iPhones include a Lightning-to-headphone adapter that connects the devices to headphones with miniplug connectors.

Lightning Connector Adapters Extend Its Uses

A broad market of Lightning adapters extends the capability of your portable Apple devices.
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Andrew Wilson 7 minutes ago
Lightning-to-USB Camera Connection Kit. This device effectively gives your iPhone or iPad a USB...
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Scarlett Brown 15 minutes ago
Lightning-to-HDMI "Digital AV" adapter. This device is a great way to hook up your iPhone or iPad to...
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Lightning-to-USB Camera Connection Kit.&nbsp;This device effectively gives your iPhone or iPad a USB port. While advertised for connecting cameras to your smartphone or tablet, the USB port supports a wired keyboard, a musical keyboard using MIDI or even a USB-to-Ethernet cable. This adapter comes in three&nbsp;variants: USB, Micro-USB, and USB-C for newer devices.
Emma Wilson Admin
access_time 33 minutes ago
Lightning-to-USB Camera Connection Kit. This device effectively gives your iPhone or iPad a USB port. While advertised for connecting cameras to your smartphone or tablet, the USB port supports a wired keyboard, a musical keyboard using MIDI or even a USB-to-Ethernet cable. This adapter comes in three variants: USB, Micro-USB, and USB-C for newer devices.
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Christopher Lee 21 minutes ago
Lightning-to-HDMI "Digital AV" adapter. This device is a great way to hook up your iPhone or iPad to...
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Lightning-to-HDMI "Digital AV" adapter. This device is a great way to hook up your iPhone or iPad to your HDTV. Not only will the adapter allow you to duplicate your device's screen on the TV, many apps like Netflix and Hulu work with the adapter to send full-screen video through it.
Lily Watson Moderator
access_time 12 minutes ago
Lightning-to-HDMI "Digital AV" adapter. This device is a great way to hook up your iPhone or iPad to your HDTV. Not only will the adapter allow you to duplicate your device's screen on the TV, many apps like Netflix and Hulu work with the adapter to send full-screen video through it.
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David Cohen 10 minutes ago
The adapter also includes a Lightning port so you can charge your iPhone or iPad while it is connect...
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David Cohen 6 minutes ago
This dongle connects standard wired headphones to the iPhone or iPad through the Lightning port. It ...
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The adapter also includes a Lightning port so you can charge your iPhone or iPad while it is connected to your TV. Lightning-to-3.5-mm Headphone Jack.
Andrew Wilson Member
access_time 65 minutes ago
The adapter also includes a Lightning port so you can charge your iPhone or iPad while it is connected to your TV. Lightning-to-3.5-mm Headphone Jack.
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Julia Zhang 28 minutes ago
This dongle connects standard wired headphones to the iPhone or iPad through the Lightning port. It ...
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Lucas Martinez 25 minutes ago
Use this cable to output video to a monitor or projector that uses the VGA-input standard. This tech...
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This dongle connects standard wired headphones to the iPhone or iPad through the Lightning port. It will work with any device that uses the 3.5 mm standard for audio, including external speakers.&nbsp; Lightning-to-VGA.
Sophie Martin Member
access_time 56 minutes ago
This dongle connects standard wired headphones to the iPhone or iPad through the Lightning port. It will work with any device that uses the 3.5 mm standard for audio, including external speakers.  Lightning-to-VGA.
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Henry Schmidt 49 minutes ago
Use this cable to output video to a monitor or projector that uses the VGA-input standard. This tech...
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Use this cable to output video to a monitor or projector that uses the VGA-input standard. This technology only transmits video, not sound, but it is perfect for presentations at work.&nbsp; <h2> Why Does the Mac Include a Lightning Cable  What Else Does It Work With </h2> Because the adapter is so thin and versatile, the Lightning connector has become a great way to charge many of the great accessories we use with the iPhone, iPad and Mac. Here are some of the different devices and accessories that use the Lightning port: Magic Keyboard Magic Mouse 2 Magic Trackpad 2 Apple Pencil&nbsp;(The lightning port is also used to pair the Pencil with the iPad Pro.) Siri Remote&nbsp;(For use with the newest Apple TVs.) AirPods charging case Beats X earphones Earpods (These are the new headphones included with the iPhone and iPad.) <h2> Which Mobile Devices Are Compatible With the Lightning Connector </h2> Apple introduced the Lightning connector in September of 2012, and it has become the standard port on Apple&#39;s mobile offerings, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
Julia Zhang Member
access_time 30 minutes ago
Use this cable to output video to a monitor or projector that uses the VGA-input standard. This technology only transmits video, not sound, but it is perfect for presentations at work. 

Why Does the Mac Include a Lightning Cable  What Else Does It Work With

Because the adapter is so thin and versatile, the Lightning connector has become a great way to charge many of the great accessories we use with the iPhone, iPad and Mac. Here are some of the different devices and accessories that use the Lightning port: Magic Keyboard Magic Mouse 2 Magic Trackpad 2 Apple Pencil (The lightning port is also used to pair the Pencil with the iPad Pro.) Siri Remote (For use with the newest Apple TVs.) AirPods charging case Beats X earphones Earpods (These are the new headphones included with the iPhone and iPad.)

Which Mobile Devices Are Compatible With the Lightning Connector

Apple introduced the Lightning connector in September of 2012, and it has become the standard port on Apple's mobile offerings, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
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Mia Anderson 23 minutes ago
The following devices have Lightning ports: iPhone 5 and later.iPad 4 and newer (including Air, Mini...
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The following devices have Lightning ports: iPhone 5 and later.iPad 4 and newer (including Air, Mini, and Pro models).iPod Touch 5th-generation and above.7th-generation iPod Nano <br/>iPad iPod iPod Nano (7th Gen)iPod Touch (5th Gen)iPod Touch (6th Gen) While there is a 30-pin adapter available for the Lightning Connector for backwards compatibility with older accessories, there is not a Lightning adapter for the 30-pin connector. This means devices produced earlier than those on this list will not work with newer accessories that require the Lightning connector. The 6 Best iPhone Lightning Cables of 2022 FAQ How do you get water out of a Lightning connector?
William Brown Member
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The following devices have Lightning ports: iPhone 5 and later.iPad 4 and newer (including Air, Mini, and Pro models).iPod Touch 5th-generation and above.7th-generation iPod Nano
iPad iPod iPod Nano (7th Gen)iPod Touch (5th Gen)iPod Touch (6th Gen) While there is a 30-pin adapter available for the Lightning Connector for backwards compatibility with older accessories, there is not a Lightning adapter for the 30-pin connector. This means devices produced earlier than those on this list will not work with newer accessories that require the Lightning connector. The 6 Best iPhone Lightning Cables of 2022 FAQ How do you get water out of a Lightning connector?
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Thomas Anderson 28 minutes ago
Unplug all cables or accessories, tap your device gently with the connector facing downward to remov...
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Victoria Lopez 19 minutes ago
If the liquid detection alert still appears, let the device dry in a spot with some airflow for up t...
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Unplug all cables or accessories, tap your device gently with the connector facing downward to remove liquid, and leave the device in a dry area for at least 30 minutes. Try charging again.
Mia Anderson Member
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Unplug all cables or accessories, tap your device gently with the connector facing downward to remove liquid, and leave the device in a dry area for at least 30 minutes. Try charging again.
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Liam Wilson 51 minutes ago
If the liquid detection alert still appears, let the device dry in a spot with some airflow for up t...
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Alternatively, use small needle-nose pliers to dig out the broken connector. How do you clean a Ligh...
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If the liquid detection alert still appears, let the device dry in a spot with some airflow for up to 24 hours. How do you remove a broken Lightning connector? When a Lightning cable breaks off inside a device, use a large and sturdy pin (such as a diaper pin or sewing needle) to pry out the broken piece.
Lucas Martinez Moderator
access_time 90 minutes ago
If the liquid detection alert still appears, let the device dry in a spot with some airflow for up to 24 hours. How do you remove a broken Lightning connector? When a Lightning cable breaks off inside a device, use a large and sturdy pin (such as a diaper pin or sewing needle) to pry out the broken piece.
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Alternatively, use small needle-nose pliers to dig out the broken connector. How do you clean a Lightning Connector? A dirty Lightning cable or port can cause a faulty connection, so you&#39;ll need to clean the charging port with compressed air.
Chloe Santos Moderator
access_time 76 minutes ago
Alternatively, use small needle-nose pliers to dig out the broken connector. How do you clean a Lightning Connector? A dirty Lightning cable or port can cause a faulty connection, so you'll need to clean the charging port with compressed air.
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Follow up by cleaning the connector and port with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Was...
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Follow up by cleaning the connector and port with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. <br/> Was this page helpful?
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Follow up by cleaning the connector and port with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Was this page helpful?
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