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Apple has quietly pulled the plug on its once-essential Lightning to 3.5mm headphone adapter, marking the end of an era for iPhone users who relied on the small accessory. The adapter, which allowed Lightning-port iPhones to connect to traditional headphones or audio devices, is no longer available for purchase on Apple's UK and US websites.
Introduced in 2016 alongside the headphone jack-less iPhone 7, the adapter initially softened the transition for users reluctant to move to wireless earbuds or headphones. Over the years, however, Apple’s ecosystem has steadily evolved toward wireless audio solutions and, more recently, USB-C technology.
The shift to USB-C, seen in the latest iPhone 15 models, further reduces the need for the Lightning adapter. While the accessory remains available in some countries and through third-party retailers, its disappearance from major markets signals Apple’s commitment to moving forward with USB-C as the standard for its devices.
For those still using older iPhones or requiring the adapter for specific purposes, options are limited but not completely gone. Non-Apple-affiliated sellers may still offer the adapter, at least for now.
Apple's silent discontinuation of the adapter reflects its ongoing push toward a unified, modernized tech ecosystem—leaving behind another piece of hardware that once bridged the gap for users during a time of transition.
[Source: New York Post]
