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Apple-Certified Third-Party Lightning to USB-C Cables Expected Early Next Year

Apple-certified Lightning to USB-C cables should be available from select third-party accessory makers starting early next year.





<img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2018/12/lightning-usb-c.jpg)" alt="" width="800" height="571" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-669039" />


Last week, Apple informed members of its Made for iPhone or "MFi" licensing program (https://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/) that Lightning to USB-C cables for charging and syncing are now permitted to be manufactured. These cables require a new Lightning connector with part number C94, which Made for iPhone program members can now order.





Apple is selling the new Lightning connector to eligible hardware manufacturers for $2.88 per, and it is estimated to ship in six weeks, according to documentation shared with MacRumors by Hong Kong website ChargerLab (http://www.chargerlab.com/).    





<img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2018/12/mfi-2.jpg)" alt="" width="553" height="184" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-669032" />


<img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2018/12/mfi-1.jpg)" alt="" width="554" height="192" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-669033" />


This means that third-party accessory makers enrolled in the Made for iPhone program, such as Anker, Aukey, Belkin, and Incipio, should have the part necessary to create MFi-certified Lightning to USB-C cables by mid-January and, allowing time for production, could be available to purchase by February or March (https://www.zmiusa.com/blogs/blog/mfi-certified-3rd-party-usb-c-to-lightning-cable-coming-q1-2019).





A Lightning to USB-C cable is required to fast charge the iPhone 8 and newer with an 18W-plus power adapter. Otherwise, the new C94 connector is expected to provide a maximum of 15W of power with a standard power adapter.





Apple is currently the only retailer of certified Lightning to USB-C cables at a cost of $19 for the one-meter option (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MQGJ2AM/A/usb-c-to-lightning-cable-1-m) and $35 for two-meters (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MKQ42AM/A/usb-c-to-lightning-cable-2-m) in the United States. The one-meter cable was originally $25, but it received a price cut (https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/04/apple-drops-prices-on-usb-c-adapters/) in November 2016 alongside some of Apple's other USB-C adapters and cables.





The biggest advantage to third-party Lightning to USB-C cables is that many will likely be significantly less expensive than Apple's own, while still meeting Apple performance standards under the Made for iPhone program. Many third-party options will likely have more durable designs too, such as a braided cable.





Apple first informed its Made for iPhone program members about its plans to allow third-party Lightning to USB-C cables (https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/05/apple-mfi-usb-c-lightning-cables/) earlier this year.

<div class="linkback">Tags: USB-C (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/usb-c/), Lightning (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/lightning/), MFi Program (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/mfi-program/)</div>
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Source: Apple-Certified Third-Party Lightning to USB-C Cables Expected Early Next Year (https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/04/mfi-lightning-to-usb-c-cables-early-2019/)