Lightning (connector)
Lightning is a proprietary computer bus and power connector, created and designed by Apple Inc. It was introduced on , in conjunction with the iPhone 5, to replace its predecessor, the 30-pin dock connector. The Lightning connector is used to connect Apple mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, and iPods to host computers, external monitors, cameras, USB battery chargers, and other peripherals. Using 8 pins instead of 30, Lightning is much smaller than its predecessor. The Lightning plug is symmetrical (same pins on either side) and therefore is reversible. The plug is indented on each side to match up with corresponding points inside the receptacle to retain the connection.

History
The Lightning connector was introduced on , with the iPhone 5, as a replacement for the 30-pin dock connector. The iPod Touch (5th generation), iPod Nano (7th generation), iPad (4th generation) and iPad Mini (1st generation) followed in October and November 2012 as the first devices with Lightning.

On November 25, 2012, Apple acquired the "Lightning" trademark in Europe from Harley-Davidson. Apple was given a partial transfer of the Lightning trademark, suggesting that Harley-Davidson likely retained the rights to use the name for motorcycle-related products. Apple is the sole proprietor of the trademark and copyrights for the designs and specifications of the Lightning connector.

The iPad Pro, released in 2015, features the first Lightning connector supporting USB 3.0 host. The only cable or accessory released with USB 3.0 support is the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.

Transition to USB-C 
In October 2018, Apple released a range of iPad Pro models that replaced Lightning with USB-C; the 2020 iPad Air (4th generation) and 2022 iPad (10th generation) similarly replaced Lightning with USB-C. In October 2022, the Siri Remote bundled with the 3rd generation Apple TV 4K replaced the Lightning port with USB-C, becoming Apple's first accessory to charge via USB-C.

In January 2020, the European Commission proposed laws to standardize charger ports. On October 4, 2022, the European Parliament approved regulations that would require all electronic devices to support USB-C, in order to meet pressure by EU consumers regarding financial costs and e-waste. Commentators said that these regulations will impact Apple most heavily. Apple stated concerns that this will "harm consumers in Europe and around the world", but on October 25, 2022, Greg Joswiak, the vice president of worldwide marketing of Apple, said that Apple will comply with the new EU regulations, indirectly confirming that iPhone models and other devices will ultimately replace Lightning with USB-C in the future.

Technology

Lightning is an 8-pin connector that carries a digital signal. Unlike the Apple 30-pin connector it replaces (and USB Type-A or -B connectors), the Lightning connector can be inserted either face up or face down. Each pin on the reverse side of the connector is connected to its directly opposite twin on the other side. Part of the processor's job is to route the power and data signals correctly whichever way up the connector is inserted.

The maximum transfer speed available over the Lightning connector is 480 Mbit/s, the same as USB 2.0.

The Lightning receptacle on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generation) and 10.5-inch iPad Pro models has 16 pins, as there are additional eight pins on the other side. It supports USB 3.0 (now USB 3.2 Gen 1) at the maximum transfer speed of 5 Gbit/s. No Lightning to USB (Type-A , USB-C or otherwise) cables have entered production, and only the Lightning to USB 3 camera adapter, when connected to those particular iPad Pro models, utilises USB 3.0.

Apple offers various adapters that allow the Lightning connector to be used with other interfaces, such as 30-pin, USB, HDMI, VGA, and SD cards. The Lightning to 30-pin adapter supports only a limited subset of the available 30-pin signals: USB data, USB charging, and analog audio output (via the DAC inside of the adapter).

Lightning connectors contain an authentication chip that made it difficult for third-party manufacturers to produce compatible accessories without being approved by Apple. The authentication scheme has been cracked by some third parties.

The plug measures 6.7 mm by 1.5 mm.

Comparisons with USB 
Apple has not publicly discussed microUSB, but various tech news websites state that Lightning might have been used instead of microUSB because of its compatibility with docks and speaker systems; the ability to insert the cable in either direction for user convenience; Apple wishing to maintain control over supply chain of accessories; the ability to charge a licensing fee; and the mechanical weakness of USB connectors.

On April 10, 2015, Apple announced a line of MacBooks that featured USB-C. USB-C has similarities with Lightning, and advantages over microUSB. USB-C, like Lightning, but unlike its predecessor microUSB, can be plugged in either direction. USB-C and Lightning are not interchangeable as they are entirely different pin-outs, protocols and connectors.

Devices using Lightning connectors
The following devices use the Lightning connector:

iPhone

Currently produced
iPhone 12
iPhone 13/13 Mini
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
iPhone 14/14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro/14 Pro Max

Discontinued
iPhone 5
iPhone 5C
iPhone 5S
iPhone 6/6 Plus
iPhone 6S/6S Plus
iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPhone 7/7 Plus
iPhone 8/8 Plus
iPhone X
iPhone XS/XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro/11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro/12 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Pro/13 Pro Max

iPad

Currently produced
iPad (9th generation)

Discontinued
iPad (4th generation)
iPad (5th generation)
iPad (6th generation)
iPad (7th generation)
iPad (8th generation)
iPad Mini (1st generation)
iPad Mini 2
iPad Mini 3
iPad Mini 4
iPad Mini (5th generation)
iPad Air
iPad Air 2
iPad Air (3rd generation)
iPad Pro (1st generation)
iPad Pro (2nd generation)

iPod

Discontinued
iPod Nano (7th generation)
iPod Touch (5th generation)
iPod Touch (6th generation)
iPod Touch (7th generation)

Accessories

Currently produced
Apple Pencil (1st generation)
Magic Mouse 2
Magic Keyboard 2
Magic Trackpad 2
Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock
MagSafe Duo Charger
MagSafe Battery Pack
AirPods (2nd generation) Charging Case and Wireless Charging Case
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) MagSafe Charging Case
AirPods (3rd generation) MagSafe Charging Case
AirPods Max
EarPods with Lightning Connector

Discontinued
Siri Remote for Apple TV (4th generation)
Siri Remote for Apple TV 4K (1st & 2nd generation)
Powerbeats Pro Charging Case
Beats Solo Pro headphones
BeatsX earphones
Beats Pill+ speaker
iPhone 5S Dock
iPhone 5C Dock
iPhone Lightning Dock
AirPods (1st generation) Charging Case and Wireless Charging Case
AirPods Pro (1st generation) Wireless Charging Case
Magic Keyboard

Reception 
Initial opinions of the Lightning connector in media were mixed: publications appreciated the reversibility and increased durability of the connector, but were critical of its proprietary nature, of the effects of its authentication protocol on third-party accessory availability, and of the lack of performance improvements over the 30-pin dock connector.

Reviewers criticized Apple for continuing to include a Lightning port on their products instead of moving to USB-C, a more universal port, on its introduction, with this criticism escalating as Apple adopted USB-C as the primary connector for both data and power on iPad Pro devices and Macbook laptops.

Apple has claimed that it continues to use Lightning because replacing it would supposedly produce "an unprecedented amount of electronic waste". Some reviewers, like Business Insider senior tech correspondent Lisa Eadicicco, have suggested that it is simply because Apple wants to continue profiting from its proprietary chargers and accessories.

Problems that affect charging

MFi certification
Apple introduced the MFi Program to increase the quality of the third-party accessories and consumer confidence.

Black pins
A phenomenon exists on early lightning connectors where the Pin 1 or Pin 4 would turn black over time, making one side of the connector cease functioning. These pins hold either a positive or negative electrical charge. As the gold platings of the pins wear out over time, when the connector is connected while it is stained with liquid like sweats, a spark gap can be produced due to extra current being drawn to a capacitor for a short period. This spark gap causes the copper pins to corrode, turning it black. In 2019, Apple released new versions of the Lightning connector and ceased productions of the older versions. These new versions included many improvements over older versions of the Lightning connectors, including the new silver color ruthenium-rhodium plating pins, instead of the gold plating pins, which improved platings' durability and resistance to wears, reducing possibility of corrosions.

See also
 Smart Connector

References

Further reading

Apple Inc. hardware
Computer buses
Computer-related introductions in 2012