Apple discontinues popular accessory many people need

It appears that Apple has quietly discontinued a popular accessory that was once essential for some iPhone users.

3.5mm Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter It has been on sale on both the UK and US Apple websites for some time now.

The device allowed 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 moves away from its proprietary Lightning port in favor of USB-C, this once common and essential accessory may be gone forever.

The adapter was first launched with the iPhone 7 in 2016, marking Apple’s controversial decision to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from the device.

This change left many iPhone users with a dilemma: their old wired headphones, or non-Apple headphones, were no longer compatible. The Lightning to 3.5mm adapter provided a solution, allowing users to continue using their existing headphones with the new iPhones.

The phase-out of the Lightning connector has been gradual, with the iPhone 15 marking the official shift to USB-C in 2023.

For years, the adapter was included with every new iPhone from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone XS released in 2018.

However, by then, many iPhone owners had switched to wireless alternatives like Lightning EarPods or Bluetooth AirPods, and the adapter was no longer bundled with the device. It used to be sold separately at Apple Stores for about $9, but now it seems to be disappearing from stores entirely.

While the Lightning to 3.5mm adapter is no longer available in the UK and US, it can still be found in some countries like France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

They are still available for purchase on some non-Apple-affiliated sites, including amazon,

Although this change has been met with disappointment by 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 or responded to The Post’s request for comment.