Lightning is a proprietary

computer bus In computer architecture, a bus (shortened form of the Latin '' omnibus'', and historically also called data highway or databus) is a communication system that transfers data between components inside a computer, or between computers. This ex ...

and power connector created and designed by

Apple Inc. Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, United States. Apple is the largest technology company by revenue (totaling in 2021) and, as of June 2022, is the world's biggest company b ...

and introduced on , to replace its predecessor, the

30-pin dock connector A dock connector is a connector used to attach a mobile electronic device simultaneously to multiple external resources. The dock connector will typically carry a variety of signals and power, through a single connector, to simplify the process o ...

. The Lightning connector is used to connect Apple mobile devices like iPhones,

iPad The iPad is a brand of iOS and iPadOS-based tablet computers that are developed by Apple Inc. The iPad was conceived before the related iPhone but the iPhone was developed and released first. Speculation about the development, operating s ...

s, and

iPod The iPod is a discontinued series of portable media players and multi-purpose mobile devices designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The first version was released on October 23, 2001, about months after the Macintosh version of iTunes ...

s to host computers, external monitors, cameras, USB battery chargers, and other peripherals. Using 8 pins instead of 30, Lightning is much smaller than its predecessor, which was integrated with devices like the iPhone 4 and the iPad 2. The Lightning plug is symmetrical (same pins on either side), so it can be inserted into a Lightning receptacle in either orientation. The plug is indented on each side to match up with corresponding points inside the receptacle to retain the connection.

History

The Lightning connector was introduced on , as an upgrade to the 30-pin dock connector. It would soon be integrated with all new hardware and devices that were to be announced at the same event. The first compatible devices were the

iPhone 5 The iPhone 5 is a smartphone that was designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is the 6th generation iPhone, succeeding both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, and preceding both the iPhone 5S and 5C. It was formally unveiled as part of a press e ...

, the

iPod Touch (5th generation) The fifth generation iPod Touch (stylized and marketed as the iPod touch, and colloquially known as the iPod Touch 5G, iPod Touch 5, or iPod 5) was unveiled at Apple's media event alongside the iPhone 5 on September 12, 2012, and was released on ...

, and the iPod Nano (7th generation). The iPad (4th generation) and the

iPad Mini (1st generation) The first-generation iPad Mini (stylized and marketed as iPad mini) (known retrospectively as the iPad Mini 1) is a mini tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on October 23, 2012, as the fourth majo ...

were added as Lightning devices in October 2012. On November 25, 2012, Apple acquired the "Lightning" trademark in Europe from

Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson, Inc. (H-D, or simply Harley) is an American motorcycle manufacturer headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1903, it is one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depressi ...

. Apple was given a partial transfer of the Lightning trademark, suggesting that Harley-Davidson likely retained the rights to use the name for motorcycle-related products. Apple is the sole proprietor of the trademark and copyrights for the designs and specifications of the Lightning connector. The iPad Pro, released in 2015, features the first Lightning connector supporting USB 3.0 host. The only accessory that supports USB 3.0 is the new camera adapter. Normal USB-A - Lightning cables are still USB 2.0. On October 30, 2018, Apple announced that their new range of iPad Pro models will replace Lightning with

USB-C USB-C (properly known as USB Type-C) is a 24-pin USB connector system with a rotationally symmetrical connector. The designation C refers only to the connector's physical configuration or form factor and should not be confused with the conne ...

. In January 2020, the EU commission proposed laws to standardize charger ports. On October 4, 2022, the EU parliament approved regulations that would require all electronic devices to support USB-C, in order to meet pressure by EU consumers regarding financial costs and e-waste. Commentators said that these regulations will impact Apple most heavily. Apple stated concerns that this will "harm consumers in Europe and around the world," but on October 25, 2022, Greg Joswiak, the vice president of worldwide marketing of Apple, said that Apple will comply with the new EU regulations, indirectly confirming that iPhone models and other devices will ultimately replace Lightning with USB-C in the future.

Technology

Lightning is an 8-pin connector that carries a digital signal. Unlike the Apple 30-pin connector it replaces (and USB Type-A or -B connectors), the Lightning connector can be inserted either face up or face down. Each pin on the reverse side of the connector is connected to its directly opposite twin on the other side. Part of the processor's job is to route the power and data signals correctly whichever way up the connector is inserted. The maximum transfer speed available over the Lightning connector is 480 Mbit/s, same as USB 2.0. The Lightning receptacle on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generation) and 10.5-inch iPad Pro models has 16 pins, as there are additional eight pins on the other side. It supports USB 3.0 (now USB 3.2 Gen 1) at the maximum transfer speed of 5 Gbit/s. Only the Lightning to USB 3 camera adapter provides the speed on those iPad Pro models. Apple offers various adapters that allow the Lightning connector to be used with other interfaces, such as 30-pin,

USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad v ...

HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a proprietary audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed digital audio data from an HDMI-compliant source device, such as a display controller, ...

VGA Video Graphics Array (VGA) is a video display controller and accompanying de facto graphics standard, first introduced with the IBM PS/2 line of computers in 1987, which became ubiquitous in the PC industry within three years. The term can now ...

, and SD cards. The Lightning to 30-pin adapter supports only a limited subset of the available 30-pin signals: USB data, USB charging, and analog audio output (via the DAC inside of the adapter). Official Lightning connectors contain an authentication chip that made it difficult for third-party manufacturers to produce compatible accessories without being approved by Apple. The authentication scheme has been cracked, however. The plug measures 6.7 mm by 1.5 mm.

Comparisons with USB

Apple has not publicly discussed

microUSB The initial versions of the USB standard specified connectors that were easy to use and that would have acceptable life spans; revisions of the standard added smaller connectors useful for compact portable devices. Higher-speed development of t ...

, but various tech news websites state that Lightning might have been used instead of microUSB because of its compatibility with docks and speaker systems; the ability to insert the cable in either direction for user convenience; Apple wishing to maintain control over supply chain of accessories; the ability to charge a licensing fee; and the mechanical weakness of USB connectors. The optional supplemental standard

USB On-The-Go USB On-The-Go (USB OTG or just OTG) is a specification first used in late 2001 that allows USB devices, such as Tablet computer, tablets or smartphones, to act as a host, allowing other USB devices, such as USB flash drives, digital cameras, co ...

allows USB devices to do this. On April 10, 2015, Apple announced a new line of MacBooks that featured

. USB-C has similarities with Lightning, and advantages over microUSB. USB-C, like Lightning, but unlike its predecessor microUSB, can be plugged in either direction. USB-C and Lightning are not interchangeable as they are entirely different pin-outs, protocols and connectors.

Devices using Lightning connectors

The following first-party and third-party devices use Lightning connectors:

iPhone

iPhone 5C The iPhone 5C (marketed as iPhone 5c) is a smartphone that was designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is part of the sixth generation of the iPhone. The device was unveiled on September 10, 2013, and released on September 20, 2013, alon ...

iPhone 5S The iPhone 5S (stylized and marketed as iPhone 5s) is a smartphone that was designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is the seventh generation of the iPhone, succeeding the iPhone 5, and unveiled in September 2013, alongside the iPhone 5C. Th ...

* iPhone 6/6 Plus * iPhone 6S/6S Plus *

iPhone SE (1st generation) The first-generation iPhone SE (also known as iPhone SE or iPhone SE 2016; ''SE'' is an initialism of ''Special Edition'') is a smartphone that was designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It is part of the 9th generation of the iPho ...

* iPhone 7/7 Plus * iPhone 8/8 Plus * iPhone X * iPhone XS/XS Max * iPhone XR * iPhone 11 * iPhone 11 Pro/11 Pro Max * iPhone SE (2nd generation) * iPhone 12/12 Mini * iPhone 12 Pro/12 Pro Max * iPhone 13/13 Mini * iPhone 13 Pro/13 Pro Max *

iPhone SE (3rd generation) The third-generation iPhone SE (also known as the iPhone SE 3 or the iPhone SE 2022) is a smartphone designed and developed by Apple Inc. It is part of the 15th generation of the iPhone, alongside the iPhone 13 / 13 Mini and iPhone 13 Pro / ...

* iPhone 14/14 Plus * iPhone 14 Pro/14 Pro Max

iPad

* iPad (4th generation) * iPad (5th generation) * iPad (6th generation) *

iPad (7th generation) The iPad 10.2-inch (officially iPad (7th generation)) is a tablet computer developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It features a 10.2-inch Retina display and is powered by the Apple A10 Fusion processor. It is the successor to the 9.7-inch 6th-g ...

* iPad (8th generation) *

iPad (9th generation) The iPad 10.2-inch (officially iPad (9th generation), also referred as iPad 9) is a tablet computer developed and marketed by Apple Inc. as the successor to the eighth-generation iPad. It was announced on September 14, 2021. Features The ...

* iPad Mini 2 * iPad Mini 3 * iPad Mini 4 *

iPad Mini (5th generation) The fifth-generation iPad Mini (stylized and marketed as iPad mini and colloquially referred to as iPad Mini 5) is a tablet computer in the iPad Mini line, designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. Announced in a press release along with ...

* iPad Air * iPad Air 2 * iPad Air (3rd generation) * iPad Pro (1st generation) * iPad Pro (2nd generation)

iPod

* iPod Nano (7th generation) *

* iPod Touch (6th generation) * iPod Touch (7th generation)

Adapters

* Lightning to 30-pin Adapter * Lightning to 30-pin Adapter (0.2 m) * Lightning to Micro USB Adapter * Lightning to USB Camera Adapter * Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter * Lightning to SD Card Camera

Reader A reader is a person who reads. It may also refer to: Computing and technology * Adobe Reader (now Adobe Acrobat), a PDF reader * Bible Reader for Palm, a discontinued PDA application * A card reader, for extracting data from various forms of ...

* Lightning to VGA Adapter * Lightning Digital AV Adapter * Lightning to HDMI * Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter * Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable * Lightning to USB (Power Delivery) * Lightning to USB-C (Power Delivery)

First-party accessories

Apple Pencil Apple Pencil is a line of wireless stylus pen accessories designed and developed by Apple Inc. for use with supported iPad tablets. The first-generation Apple Pencil was announced alongside the first iPad Pro on September 9, 2015. It communic ...

(1st generation) *

Magic Mouse 2 Magic or Magick most commonly refers to: * Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces * Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic * Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...

* Magic Keyboard *

Magic Trackpad 2 The second-generation Magic Trackpad (initially marketed as Magic Trackpad 2) is a multi-touch and Force Touch trackpad produced by Apple Inc. It was announced on October 13, 2015 alongside the Magic Keyboard and second-generation Magic Mouse, a ...

* Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock * MagSafe Duo Charger *

MagSafe Battery Pack MagSafe is a proprietary, magnetically attached wireless power transfer and accessory-attachment standard developed by Apple Inc. for its iPhone and AirPods product lines. It was announced on 13 October 2020, in conjunction with the iPhone 12 ...

Siri Remote The Siri Remote (known as the Apple TV Remote in regions where Siri is not supported) is a remote control released by Apple with the Siri-capable fourth generation and later Apple TV. The Siri Remote is the successor to the original Apple Remot ...

for

Apple TV An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple fruit tree, trees are agriculture, cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus ''Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, wh ...

(4th generation) *

for

Apple TV 4K An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus ''Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, ' ...

(1st & 2nd generation) *

AirPods AirPods are wireless Bluetooth earbuds designed by Apple Inc. They were first announced on September 7, 2016, alongside the iPhone 7. Within two years, they became Apple's most popular accessory. The most recent model, AirPods (3rd generation ...

(1st & 2nd generation) Charging Case and Wireless Charging Case *

AirPods Pro AirPods Pro are wireless Bluetooth in-ear headphones designed by Apple, initially released on October 30, 2019. They are Apple's mid-range wireless headphones, sold alongside the base-level AirPods and highest-end AirPods Max. The first-genera ...

Wireless Charging Case and MagSafe Charging Case * AirPods (3rd generation) MagSafe Charging Case *

AirPods Max AirPods Max are wireless Bluetooth over-ear headphones designed by Apple, and released on December 15, 2020. They are Apple’s highest-end option in the AirPods lineup, sold alongside the base model AirPods and mid-range AirPods Pro. The mai ...

EarPods Apple Inc. has produced and sold headphones since 2001, available for standalone purchase and bundled with iPhone (until 2020) and iPod (until 2022) products. Apple's current product line consists of EarPods (wired earbuds available with a 3.5m ...

with Lightning Connector *

Powerbeats Pro Beats Electronics LLC (also known as Beats by Dr. Dre, or simply Beats by Dre) is an American consumer audio products manufacturer headquartered in Culver City, California. The company was founded by music producer Dr. Dre and record company exec ...

Charging Case * Beats Solo Pro headphones * BeatsX earphones * Beats Pill+ speaker *

Dock *

Dock * iPhone Lightning Dock

Third-party accessories

Belkin Belkin is an American consumer electronics and networking company headquartered in El Segundo, California. It produces mobile and computer connectivity devices and peripherals for consumer and commercial use. These include wireless chargers, pow ...

Boostcharge Power Bank with Lightning connector * SteelSeries Nimbus and Nimbus+ gaming controllers *

Backbone One The Backbone One is an attachable game controller for iOS devices. Both the controller and the Backbone iOS app are created by Backbone. The app acts as a social hub and allows for editing and sharing recorded gameplay through social media platforms ...

gaming controller *

Razer Inc. Razer Inc. is an American-Singaporean multinational technology company that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, financial services, and gaming hardware. Founded by Min-Liang Tan and Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, it is dual headqua ...

Kishi for iPhone gaming controller *

Mophie Zagg (stylized in all-caps) is a company based in Midvale, Utah. It was originally called InvisibleShield. Under its subsidiaries, the company distributes phone and audio accessories. History In March 2005, InvisibleShield was created by Phi ...

powerstation with Lightning connector *

Logitech Logitech International S.A. ( ; often shortened to Logi) is a Swiss multinational manufacturer of computer peripherals and software, with headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Newark, California. The company has offices throughout Europe, ...

Crayon Apple Pencil alternative

Reception

Many reviewers have criticized Apple for continuing to include a Lightning port on their products instead of moving to a more modern, universal port such as

. Apple has stated that they continue to use Lightning because replacing it "would create an unprecedented amount of electronic waste". Some reviewers, like senior tech correspondent Lisa Eadicicco, have speculated that it is simply because Apple wants to continue selling its proprietary chargers and accessories.

Problems that affect charging

MFi Certification

Apple introduced the MFi Program to increase the quality of the third-party accessories and consumer confidence.

Black Middle Pin

A phenomenon exists on lightning connectors where one of the middle gold pins turn black over time, making one side of the connector cease functioning. The pin holds a positive or negative electrical charge, and when the cable is connected to a device, a

spark gap A spark gap consists of an arrangement of two conducting electrodes separated by a gap usually filled with a gas such as air, designed to allow an electric spark to pass between the conductors. When the potential difference between the conductor ...

can be produced due to extra current being drawn to a

capacitor A capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy in an electric field by virtue of accumulating electric charges on two close surfaces insulated from each other. It is a passive electronic component with two terminals. The effect of ...

for a short period. This spark gap causes the

copper Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from la, cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkis ...

plate of the pin to erode, turning it black.