Apple appears to have quietly discontinued a popular accessory that was once essential for some iPhone users.
3.5mm Lightning to headphone jack adapter It's been sold out on both the UK and US Apple websites for some time now.
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This device allows users to connect iPhones without a headphone jack to a wide range of devices, including wired headphones, speakers, car audio systems, and airplane entertainment.
As Apple ditches its proprietary Lightning port in favor of USB-C, this once common and essential accessory may disappear forever.
The adapter was launched at the same time as the iPhone 7 in 2016 and marked Apple's controversial decision to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from the device.
This change left many iPhone users with a dilemma. They are no longer compatible with older wired or non-Apple headphones. The Lightning to 3.5mm adapter provided a solution that allowed users to continue using their existing headphones with their new iPhone.
The Lightning connector is being phased out in stages, with iPhone 15 expected to make an official transition to USB-C in 2023.
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For years, this adapter came with every new iPhone from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone XS released in 2018.
But by then, many iPhone owners had switched to wireless options like Lightning EarPods and Bluetooth AirPods, and adapters were no longer bundled with the device. It continued to be sold individually at the Apple Store for around $9, but it now appears to have disappeared from store shelves completely.
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The Lightning to 3.5mm adapter is no longer available in the UK and US, but is still available in some countries such as France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
You can still purchase it on some sites that are not affiliated with Apple, such as Amazon.
While this change has caused some complaints from some hardcore iPhone users, it's clear that Apple is fully committed to USB-C as the future of its devices.
Apple has not addressed the situation and did not respond to The Post's request for comment.
