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Summary
- Determine your iPhone model to know which charging cable and power adapter to buy. Different iPhone models have different charging ports, as listed below.
- USB-C cables are newer and more universal, allowing you to charge multiple devices with one cable. USB-C cables also charge iPhones faster than USB-A cables.
- Purchase official Apple accessories or MFi-certified ones to ensure safety and avoid potential damage to your iPhone. Avoid cheap third-party accessories.
Since its launch in 2007, the iPhone has changed its charging port twice. If you’ve recently upgraded your iPhone or need a new cable but are confused by the different names, we’ll answer your questions and help you find the cable you need.
What Cable Do I Need to Charge My iPhone?
There are four types of iPhone charging cables:
- USB-C to USB-C
- Lightning to USB-C
- Lightning to USB-A
- 30-pin to USB-A
To determine which cable type you need, first find out what iPhone model you have. The various iPhone models have different charging ports.
Below, we look into each cable type and provide a list of iPhone models that use it. After identifying the cable type, you can match it to the correct power adapter. We’ve fully explained USB cable types if you need more background info.
USB-C to USB-C Cable
2023 marked the start of the iPhone’s transition from the proprietary Lightning port to the widely used USB-C. This is only the second time Apple has changed the connector on the iPhone, but it’s a positive one because USB-C improves the iPhone in several ways.
If you have an iPhone 15 or newer model, you need a USB-C cable to charge your device. The other end can either be USB-C or USB-A—the former will usually charge faster and offers more functionality, while the latter is more generally compatible with other devices. A USB-C to C cable is included in the box—though an adapter is not.
You can use a USB-C to USB-C, or USB-C to USB-A, cable with these iPhone models:
- iPhone 15/Plus/Pro/Pro Max
- iPhone 16/Plus/Pro/Pro Max
Lightning to USB-C and Lightning to USB-A Cable
You’ll need a Lightning to USB-C or Lightning to USB-A cable to charge these iPhone models:
- iPhone 14/Plus/Pro/Pro Max
- iPhone 13/mini/Pro/Pro Max
- iPhone 12/mini/Pro/Pro Max
- iPhone 11/Pro/Max
- iPhone SE (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation)
- iPhone X/XR/XS/XS Max
- iPhone 8/8 Plus
- iPhone 7/7 Plus
- iPhone 6/Plus/6S/6S Plus
- iPhone 5/5C/5S
Between these two cable types, a USB-C to Lightning cable will charge your iPhone much faster than the USB-A to Lightning counterpart. So if faster charging time is a priority, we recommend picking the former.
Another factor to consider is the power adapter. For example, if you already have a USB-A power adapter, you can buy a Lightning to USB-A cable. This saves some money because you won’t need a new power adapter to match the new cable.
30-Pin to USB-A Cable
The original 30-pin iPhone port was used from 2007 to 2012. The following iPhones need a 30-pin to USB-A cable:
- iPhone 4/4S
- iPhone 3G/3GS
- iPhone (1st generation)
What Power Adapter Do I Need for My iPhone?
Choosing the right cable is important, but there are also points to consider when picking a power adapter for your iPhone. As mentioned, you must make sure to get one with the correct USB port to match the other end of your iPhone’s cable (USB-C or USB-A).
Another important factor is the wattage of the power adapter. The higher the number, the faster your device will charge, but such adapters will also be larger.
A 5W power adapter is smaller than the 20W equivalent, while a 30W power adapter is bigger and faster than both. All wattages will work, but at different speeds. You might wish to keep one fast charger for quick top-ups, and cheaper ones elsewhere for when you aren’t in a rush to charge.
Also, check that the adapter is designed to work in your country. If you’re looking to buy one ahead of traveling, it’s worth considering the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit With this, you won’t need to worry about your iPhone (or other Apple products) being damaged by sub-standard international plug adapters.
What About Wireless Chargers?
Although slower than wired charging, a wireless charger is a convenient alternative to charging cables. All models from the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus onward support Qi wireless charging, though you don’t get a wireless charger in the box.
The iPhone 12 and newer models also support MagSafe technology that allows for easy accessory attachment and faster 15W wireless charging.
In 2023, Apple adopted the Qi2 wireless standard for the iPhone 12 series and newer, unlocking 15W wireless charging (12W for mini devices) via Qi2-compatible accessories. This is the most powerful rating a non-MagSafe charger has achieved. However, if you own an iPhone 16 series device and stick to Apple’s proprietary MagSafe standard, you can enjoy 25W charging speeds—the fastest wireless charging on iPhone to date.
Do I Need to Buy Official Apple Cables and Power Adapters for My iPhone?
Now that you know which type of cable or power adapter you need to buy for your iPhone, you may be wondering whether it’s better to purchase official Apple accessories or ones manufactured by a third party.
There are a lot of cheap third-party chargers and cables available, but they can be unsafe and are one of the reasons why iPhone cables don’t seem to last. Any hardware damage caused by third-party accessories may invalidate your iPhone’s warranty.
Therefore, it’s best to purchase official Apple accessories or MFi-certified ones. MFi stands for Made for iPhone, an Apple certification that allows manufacturers to access licensed technology to produce safe Apple accessories. Such chargers give you peace of mind that they will power your devices safely.