What's Apple Lightning?
What's a Lightning connector?
Lightning is the connector you find on most Apple products. You need a Lightning cable to charge products or to transfer data. Other products use USB connectors for this. You'll only find Lightning on Apple products. A Lightning port is oval-shaped and looks like a USB-C. Aren't you sure if you have a Lightning or USB-C port? Check if you see a large, flat connector in the port. USB-C has this, but Lightning doesn't.
Which products have a Lightning connector?
The iPhone 15 from 2023 is the first iPhone with a USB-C port. Older iPhone models have a Lightning port. You can also charge your AirPods and Magic Keyboard via a Lightning port. With iPad models, this differs per model. All new iPad models have a USB-C port, but older models have a Lightning port. MacBook models have a USB-C port.
Which port does each iPhone and iPad have?
| Model | Port |
|---|---|
| iPhone 15 and newer | USB-C |
| iPhone 14 and older | Lightning |
| iPad (2022) and newer | USB-C |
| iPad (2021) and older | Lightning |
| iPad Mini (2021) and newer | USB-C |
| iPad Mini (2019) and older | Lightning |
| iPad Air (2020) and newer | USB-C |
| iPad Air (2019) and older | Lightning |
| iPad Pro (2017) and newer | USB-C |
Which Lightning cable do I need for fast charging?
The USB-C to Lightning cable is a separate cable that's made for fast charging. You can fast charge the iPhone 8 and newer via Power Delivery. The battery of the iPhone will be charged for 50% after half an hour with a Power Delivery charger. This is faster than with the standard 5W charger. Power Delivery chargers always have a USB-C port, not a USB-A port. That's why you need a cable with a Lightning connector on one end and a USB-C connector on the other end.
