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

duo aquarium

More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try

Friday November 6, 2026 3:27 pm PST by
When the iPhone Duo launched, we shared a list of some of the fun apps developers created for the new form factor. Two weeks out, developers are continuing to come up with fresh ideas, so we thought we'd share some of our favorites. Games Marbles Unhinged ($2.99) - Marbles Unhinged is a marble maze designed for the Duo. When you fold it, the floor turns into a ramp. If you stand the top...
apple pro tell logo

Apple Launching Five New Products Today

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:59 am PST by
Apple is launching five new products on Friday, November 6, following pre-orders that opened last week, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models. The following new products will be available from today: iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip iMac with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen 16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED...
iOS 28 AI

Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28

Sunday November 8, 2026 7:42 am PST by
Apple has made a change to its development process for iOS 28, macOS 28, and corresponding software updates, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, he said Apple separates development of each year's new operating systems into three major stages. Typically, he said each stage consists of four weeks of coding followed by a four-week "convergence" period where...

Top Rated Comments

113 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
113 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)
113 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)
113 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
113 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
113 months ago
Lightning is actually smaller than USB-C. Maybe, Lightning should’ve been the next USB-C.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
6 hours ago
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
16 hours ago
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
17 hours ago
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
2 days ago
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
2 days ago
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
2 days ago
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
2 days ago
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
2 days ago
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
3 days ago
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
3 days ago
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
3 days ago
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
3 days ago
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
3 days ago
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
3 days ago
Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next Week
Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next Week
3 days ago
MacBook Air Drops to Lowest Price in Months With Amazon's $250 Discount
MacBook Air Drops to Lowest Price in Months With Amazon's $250 Discount
3 days ago
Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year
Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year
3 days ago
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2026 Holiday Season
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2026 Holiday Season
3 days ago
Apple Music Classical Updated With New Icon and Refreshed Design
Apple Music Classical Updated With New Icon and Refreshed Design
3 days ago
OLED iPad Mini, M6 iMac, and New MacBook Pros Available From Today
OLED iPad Mini, M6 iMac, and New MacBook Pros Available From Today
3 days ago
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
3 days ago
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
3 days ago
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
3 days ago
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
3 days ago
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
3 days ago
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
4 days ago
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
4 days ago
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
4 days ago
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
4 days ago