Apple's USB-C iPhone: Everything You Need to Know

In 2023, Apple began phasing out the Lightning port for the iPhone, introducing the iPhone 15, ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus with a USB-C port. The USB-C port replaces the Lightning port and allows the ‌iPhone‌, iPad, and Mac to use the same power adapter and cable.

iPhone 15 USB C Port Keynote
This guide covers everything we know about Apple's transition to USB-C.

Current USB-C iPhones

Apple's 2023 flagship iPhones have USB-C ports right now.

Apple is expected to use USB-C for all future iPhones.

iPhones That Still Feature Lightning

Apple is still selling several older ‌iPhone‌ models as low-cost options, and these devices have a Lightning port.

Why Apple Adopted USB-C

The European Union instituted legislation mandating that electronic devices like smartphones use a "common port," which the EU established was the USB-C port.

Apple had until the end of 2024 to transition to USB-C, but opted to do so starting with the launch of the ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup. The company did have the option of releasing USB-C iPhones in Europe and Lightning-based iPhones elsewhere, but decided to use USB-C worldwide.

The mandate does not apply to devices and accessories already on the market, but future iPhones, iPads, Macs, AirPods, keyboards, mice, and other accessories will need to include a USB-C port for charging. Exemptions only apply to devices that are too small to have a USB-C port, such as smart watches.

USB-C Benefits

There are a number of benefits that USB-C offers over the prior Lightning port.

Common charger - USB-C iPhones, iPads, and Macs can be charged with the same cable and power adapter, preventing Apple users from needing to carry multiple types of cables.
AirPods/Apple Watch charging - An ‌iPhone‌ can be used to charge the AirPods, Apple Watch, and other small accessories with an appropriate USB-C cable. The ‌iPhone‌ provides up to 4.5W.
Faster transfers - The ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and Pro Max support USB 3 transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s with the appropriate USB-C cable. Faster data speeds are not available for the standard ‌iPhone 15‌ models.
Connecting to external displays - With DisplayPort over USB-C, the ‌iPhone 15‌ models can be connected to an external display using a USB-C cable, no adapter required.

What to Do With Lightning Accessories

If you've upgraded to a USB-C ‌iPhone‌ and have a bunch of Lightning-based accessories, you can use some of them with Apple's $29 USB-C to Lightning adapter.

Other options include donating Lightning accessories to friends or family members who continue to use iPhones with a Lightning port, or bringing cables and other Lightning devices to Apple for recycling.

iPhone 15 to Switch From Lightning to USB C in 2023 feature

Apple Retail Staff Drilled to Recommend iPhone 15 USB-C Charging Accessories at Point of Sale

Friday September 8, 2023 2:30 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

With Apple's iPhone 15 series launch potentially now just two weeks away, Apple retail employees are reportedly being drilled to emphasize to customers at the point of sale that the switch to USB-C means the new devices cannot be charged with existing Lightning charging cables that they may already own. When customers purchase a new iPhone 15 model, Apple staff will be trained to caution...

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Apple Prefer USB C Lightning Feature Remake

USB-C iPhone 15 May Tempt Some Android Owners to Switch, Survey Suggests

Wednesday September 6, 2023 3:45 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

The iPhone 15's expected move to USB-C this year may motivate a large number of Android users to switch phones, according to a survey conducted by SellCell. SellCell asked over 1,000 iPhone users and over 1,000 Android users in the United States to gather its data. Of existing iPhone users surveyed, 63% said that Apple moving to a USB-C charging port would influence their decision to upgrade ...

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Google Mocks iPhone 15 and Late USB-C Adoption in Latest Ad

Tuesday September 5, 2023 5:30 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Google has expanded on its #BestPhonesForever ad campaign with a new video titled "Spa Day" in which it pokes fun at the upcoming iPhone 15's implied lack of headline features and its expected adoption of USB-C in lieu of a Lightning port. In the ad, an iPhone and a Pixel are depicted relaxing in a tranquil spa amid towels and candles, idly chatting to one another with their rear cameras...

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Apple May Sell Optional iPhone 15 Pro USB-C Thunderbolt Cable

Friday August 25, 2023 1:01 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Apple may offer a USB-C data transfer accessory cable for iPhone 15 Pro models that is capable of Thunderbolt or USB4 speeds of up to 40Gbps. That is the latest claim made by Kosutami, who posted details of the cable on Twitter (now X). Leaked 0.8m Thunderbolt USB-C cable (Image: Majin Bu) According to the leaker, the length of the cable is 0.8 meters, which is shorter than Apple's existing T...

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Images of Alleged iPhone 15 USB-C Connector Parts Leak Online

Tuesday August 8, 2023 2:13 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Alleged images of iPhone 15 USB-C connector ports have today been leaked online, in yet another indication that Apple is this year preparing to make the switch from Lightning to the USB-C charging standard. The consolidated images below, shared by leakers @lipilipsi and @John011235 on X (formerly Twitter), purportedly show the USB-C connector ports attached to the flexible PCB component...

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Rumor Recap: What to Expect From the iPhone 15's USB-C Port

Wednesday May 17, 2023 9:45 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

All four iPhone 15 models launching later this year are expected to feature a USB-C port instead of Lightning. This change means the iPhone will support a more universal charging standard, benefit from faster data transfer speeds, and more. Below, we have recapped rumors about the iPhone switching to USB-C, including potential speed differences, other Apple accessories adopting USB-C, and...

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EU Warns Apple About Limiting Speeds of Uncertified USB-C Cables for iPhones

Thursday May 4, 2023 9:29 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Last year, the EU passed legislation that will require the iPhone and many other devices with wired charging to be equipped with a USB-C port in order to be sold in the region. Apple has until December 28, 2024 to adhere to the law, but the switch from Lightning to USB-C is expected to happen with iPhone 15 models later this year. It was rumored in February that Apple may be planning to limit...

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Kuo: iPhone 15 MFi Requirements Expected to Boost Apple USB-C Charger Shipments

Tuesday March 21, 2023 2:23 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 series will include support for faster charging speeds when used with MFi-certified USB-C chargers, including its own 20W Power Adapter, according to the latest research note from Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This year, Apple will transition the iPhone from Lightning to USB-C in order to comply with European regulations that require electronic devices to...

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Apple Reportedly Planning to Limit iPhone 15's USB-C Port in the Same Way as Lightning

Friday February 10, 2023 2:59 am PST by Hartley Charlton

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro's USB-C port and accompanying charging cables will feature a Lightning-like authenticator chip, potentially limiting their functionality with Apple-unapproved accessories, a rumor shared on Weibo suggests. The rumor declares that Apple has developed its own variant of USB-C for this year's iPhone 15 lineup and comes from a user who claims to be an integrated...

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India May Force Apple to Adopt USB-C on iPhone After EU Passes Similar Law

Wednesday November 16, 2022 10:37 pm PST by Sami Fathi

India is making progress on a government proposal that would enforce a standard charger, USB-C, across all smartphones, tablets, and laptops, following in the footsteps of the EU, which just recently passed a similar law. In a government press release, India's Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution secretary, Rohit Kumar Singh, said different government and private...

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Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak Interview About USB-C iPhone and More Now Available on YouTube

Wednesday October 26, 2022 9:36 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi and marketing chief Greg Joswiak spoke with tech columnist Joanna Stern at The Wall Street Journal's Tech Live event in California on Tuesday. A full video of the interview is now available on YouTube. Notable topics discussed included Apple admitting that it will have to comply with the EU's law requiring the iPhone to switch to USB-C, the...

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Greg Joswiak: Apple Will Have to Comply With the EU and Switch iPhone to USB-C

Tuesday October 25, 2022 8:03 pm PDT by Sami Fathi

Apple's vice president of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, today said that Apple will have to move to USB-C on iPhone and its remaining devices that still have a Lightning connector in order to comply with new EU rules. Speaking at the Wall Street Journal's Tech Live event, Joswiak said that Apple ultimately respects the decision made by the EU to mandate a common charger across consumer...

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Lightning Connector Turns 10 Today as iPhone Rumored to Adopt USB-C Next Year

Monday September 12, 2022 9:52 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Today marks 10 years since Apple introduced the iPhone 5 with an all-new Lightning connector, which replaced the previous 30-pin dock connector that originated on the iPod. Apple's former marketing chief Phil Schiller described Lightning as a "modern connector for the next decade," and this milestone has now been achieved. iPhone 14 models remain equipped with a Lightning connector, but...

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India Considering New Rules That Could Force Apple to Adopt USB-C on iPhone

Thursday August 18, 2022 1:43 am PDT by Sami Fathi

Following in the footsteps of the EU, India is now in the early stages of considering imposing regulations on consumer products sold in the country that force a universal standard charger, including USB-C, by as early as 2024, Mint reports. The EU had reached an agreement earlier this summer that would force Apple to adopt USB-C on the iPhone and AirPods by fall 2024. While the agreement has ...

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Five Apple Products Rumored to Switch to USB-C

Tuesday July 26, 2022 1:43 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol

While the iPhone still uses the Lightning connector for now, Apple has been transitioning many of its devices to USB-C in recent years. Apple now offers USB-C ports on every Mac that it currently sells, ranging from the MacBook Air to the Mac Pro. Other devices with a USB-C port include the 2018 and newer iPad Pro, 2020 and newer iPad Air, sixth-generation iPad mini, Studio Display, and Pro...

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