Lightning (connector)

Lightning

Top-down view of a Lightning connector, showing one side of eight pins
Type	Data and power connector
Production history
Designer	Apple Inc.
Produced	2012–present (end date: 2025)
Superseded	30-pin dock connector
Superseded by	USB-C
General specifications
Pins	8
Pinout
Pins of the Lightning connector
Pin 1	GND	Ground
Pin 2	L0p	Lane 0 positive
Pin 3	L0n	Lane 0 negative
Pin 4	ID0	Identification/control 0
Pin 5	PWR	Power (charger or battery)
Pin 6	L1n	Lane 1 negative
Pin 7	L1p	Lane 1 positive
Pin 8	ID1	Identification/control 1
Lane 0 and 1 may be swapped in the IC of the device connector. (No swapping occurs if the accessory identification chip is connected to the ID0 pin.)

Lightning is a legacy proprietary computer bus and power connector, created and designed by Apple Inc. It was introduced on September 12, 2012, 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 connector is reversible. The plug is indented on each side to match up with corresponding points inside the receptacle to retain the connection.^[1]

In 2018, Apple began transitioning to USB-C on iPad Pros and accessories. In response to legislation to standardize charging ports passed in 2022, Apple said it would comply with regulations. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, announced on September 12, 2023, became the first iPhones to use USB-C, and the last few Lightning accessories will make the transition by 2025.^[2]