Apple's Lightning Authentication Reportedly Cracked, Unauthorized Third-Party Cables Coming

Chinese firm iPhone5mod has introduced (via M.I.C. gadget) a new iPhone 5 Flash Lightning Dock, marking one of the first claimed efforts to implement Apple's Lightning connector standard on a mass production basis. The move comes as Apple has been maintaining tight control over the standard and has yet to authorize any third-party manufacturing facilities to produce Lightning-equipped products.

iphone5mod lightning cable
iPhone5mod is actually offering the dock in two parts: a lighted USB-to-Lightning cable and a white dock similar to Apple's previous-generation docks but which accepts a Lightning cable in the rear and offers a Lightning connector for interfacing with the device. Each part is offered individually for $19.90, or together for $39.90.


We spoke with representatives of iPhone5mod, who informed us that they are currently using original Lightning controller chips from Apple's supplier, ensuring proper functionality. The chips serve to assist with dynamic assignment of pin functionalities in the connector and converting signals received through the connector for output at the other end of the cable.

iPhone5mod did, however, inform us that they have also obtained cracked chips that bypass Apple's authentication functions and that the cracked chips are working just as well as the original chips, suggesting that we may soon see a significant increase in unauthorized third-party Lightning accessories.

iphone5mod lightning dock

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Top Rated Comments

Shanpdx Avatar
159 months ago
cannot blame these knock offs apple is greedy!
Score: 75 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KnightWRX Avatar
159 months ago
Interconnection specifications should never be priopietary. Talk about locking you into a single vendor for accessories, and in this case, one that can't even sell the spare cables/adapters since they don't have any stock.
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iRCL Avatar
159 months ago
sounds sketch, ill stick to my 6 lighting cables i already have, the connector is way to small to hold up the phone on the dock, your just asking for something to snap off.

Sounds like someone's mad that they bought 6 lightning cables from Apple
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nightarchaon Avatar
159 months ago
Apple wants to hold off device makers from incorporating this into devices so they can sell a load of $25 "adpaters" that cost 2 cents to make
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
159 months ago
I trusted third party cables with the 30 pin standard because the 30 pin standard didn't have any smarts in the cable. The 30 pin connector had pins such as GND, +5V, USB + and -, analog audio L and R, etc. Even the most incompetent company in the world would have a hard time ****ing up a cable.

But with the new Lightning standard I'm going to have a hard time trusting third party cables. An implementation error could mean a fried phone or unreliable operation. It'll be interesting to hear reports from those braver than I trying this stuff on their phones.

Maybe in a year or so when third party accessories are perfected I'll consider it. But definitely not now.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oneMadRssn Avatar
159 months ago
sounds sketch, ill stick to my 6 lighting cables i already have, the connector is way to small to hold up the phone on the dock, your just asking for something to snap off.

Assuming the first was included with the device, you spent $100 on 5 extra cables. And you think this is sketch? Wow...
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)