Apple Updates Made For iPhone Licensing Program With USB-C Ports, Lightning to 3.5mm Output Cable - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Updates Made For iPhone Licensing Program With USB-C Ports, Lightning to 3.5mm Output Cable

Apple recently updated its Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod (MFi) licensing program to include specifications for USB-C ports and a Lightning to 3.5mm output cable (via 9to5Mac).

With the new specifications, accessory makers will be able to include USB-C ports on MFi-certified charging accessories designed for the iOS and Mac, with those accessories able to use the USB-C cables that ship with new Macs.

appleusbccable
Third-party MFi accessories that include Lightning ports are able to offer passthrough charging, but Apple's new specifications do not allow the USB-C port built into an accessory to be used for passthrough charging or syncing of an iOS device.

Apple's documentation suggests speakers and battery packs could benefit from the use of a USB-C port for charging purposes.

As for the Lightning to 3.5mm stereo output plug, it is designed to let users connect to a 3.5mm input using a Lightning port on an iOS device, something that was previously only possible with adapters.

Apple also recently revamped its Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod logos, introducing support for the San Francisco font and replacing device icons with standard Apple logos.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:39 am PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the operating system will feature a grid of icons, widgets, and apps, along with customizable clock faces. The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition,...
imac video apple feature

Apple Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever This Year

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:03 pm PDT by
Apple this year acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019. Q.ai...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Twelve Changes Coming to Apple's Next Flagship

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:43 am PDT by
We're less than two months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a dramatic change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year,...

Top Rated Comments

110 months ago
Let lightning die. They've already embraced USBC/Thunderbolt connector on their Macs. Bring it to iPhone and iPads. These are powerful powerful devices. Hell, just use the connector and keep call it lightning via USBC (like Thunderbolt).
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Goff Avatar
110 months ago
How so? USB-C shares most of Lightning's characteristics.
Sarcasm? If not, what are the advantages of the lightning connector over USB-C?
USB C has a plethora of problems. One of the main ones is not knowing if something is going to happen with accessories when you plug it in and not knowing what’s going to happen with others.

You go, you buy a USB C charging cable. How fast will it charge your device? Who knows! It might be able to to PD or it might not. It might fast charge and it might not. Grab a lightning cable and an iPad plug and it just works.

Then we have headphones. Oh boy is that a mess. Go grab one of the few pairs of headphones that go by C and ... it might not work with your phone. Weird. How can such a universal plug be so fragmented?

That’s not even talking about the adapters that are just bad in the market right now.

You grab a lightning cable, a pair of lightning headphones, or any adapters and they’ll just work.

No one's denying that. But it's not just about the connector- it's about usability. Why can't the iPhone have the same charger as the Macbook? Why can't it take the same accessories as the rest of the computer industry? What about the iPad?

Why doesn't Apple include a Lightning port on their Macbooks?

The fact is, the industry is on USB C, as is Apple for all their non-iOS devices. No we have to carry 2 chargers with us instead of one.

And technologically, USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3 blow Lightning out of the water. But you know what, keep the lightning standard... just change the connector to USB-C (like they did with Thunderbolt 3),and use USB-PD.
Let’s talk about USB PD and how it’s a mess too with the lack of universal accessibility through all USB C cables.

What are you missing by Apple not going to USB C beyond not wanting multiple cables?
[doublepost=1520885840][/doublepost]
Moving to USB-C on the iPhone would be the most realistic way to standardize connectors... I mean it was their argument for the MacBook / Pro line.

It is a little strange that you can use an Android with a USB-C straight cable with macOS but need to buy a “special” cable or usb-c to a adapter for an iPhone...

It’s a propriatary thing that gets the company money. They aren’t keeping lightning for the benefit of the customer or industry standards, though it might make sense for their bottom line.
The amount of money they make from lightning licensing is a rounding error.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
110 months ago
How so? USB-C shares most of Lightning's characteristics.
There's no chip in the center of the port to break.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
110 months ago
Lightning is a better cable for mobile devices like the iPhone.
I agree with MG. For mobile devices, Lightning is far easier to use than USB-C.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Goff Avatar
110 months ago
Let lightning die. They've already embraced USBC/Thunderbolt connector on their Macs. Bring it to iPhone and iPads. These are powerful powerful devices. Hell, just use the connector and keep call it lightning via USBC (like Thunderbolt).
Lightning is a better cable for mobile devices like the iPhone.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Avieshek Avatar
110 months ago
Lightning is actually smaller than USB-C. Maybe, Lightning should’ve been the next USB-C.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors