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Opinion: It’s time for Apple to deliver on its Lightning cable’s ‘improved durability’

Phil Schiller iPhone 5 event Lightning cable Improved durability

When you think about easily damaged Apple products, a smashed iPhone display with a screen like a spider web probably first comes to mind. While I’ve never cracked my own iPhone screen in my four years of carrying one virtually everywhere and mostly without a case, I have had to replace the charging cable required to keep the iPhone juiced up more than enough times.

The classic 30-pin cable used on the iPhone 4s and prior certainly wasn’t the most durable cable I’ve ever owned, but the Lightning cable introduced alongside the iPhone 5 in 2012 has proved one of the least forgiving accessories I’ve ever needed to use, and that’s despite Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller touting Lightning’s “improved durability” when he introduced it.

You may not have the same experience, but there’s even a Tumblr dedicated to venting over broken Lightning cables, and that just shouldn’t be the case.

I’ll preface this by saying I do have one Lightning cable that I haven’t needed to replace after more than a few months of use. It’s the 0.5-meter Lightning cable that Apple sells for the same price as the 1-meter Lightning cable (although the 2-meter Lightning cable is $10 more). I bought it mistakenly when intending to buy the standard 1-meter version and decided to just use it to connect my iPhone 5s dock to my Mac. That’s why it hasn’t broken; I never need to connect and disconnect it.

That’s the Lightning cable’s weak spot: the section just below the protected end by the Lighting connection. As I’m sure you know, pull it too many times the wrong way or apply too much pressure to it over time and it’s game over. I still haven’t found the right way to use a Lightning cable in the real world that doesn’t stress it after a few months.

Need more evidence that the Lightning cable just isn’t holding up to real world use? Jump over to Apple’s Online Store and check out the reviews for its 2-meter Lightning cable, for instance. Out of 124 reviews, it has a 2 star average with 80 reviews rating it just 1 star out of 5 stars (probably because zero stars isn’t an option).

Apple Lightning cable reviews

 

People often reply to these complaints saying Apple will replace any broken Lightning cable. All I can say is your mileage will most definitely vary (although it is covered under the 1-year warranty so a receipt and an Apple Store will help). And what about 3rd party Lightning cables that are often just as expensive? Apple surely won’t touch those.

Like I mentioned above, the problem is almost always with the part just below the protected tip. If you remove the Lightning cable from the device, it asserts stress on the inside, of course, but it’s a limited surface for grabbing and often impractical to remove any other way.

It also bends (in my opinion) too easily. Lean too far in one direction and your Lightning cable takes a permanent vacation to Belize.

I’ve summarized the stages of a Lightning cable in my experience: new and shiny, used and appreciated, electrical taped then retired.

I’ve yet to find a truly solid Lightning cable. Aside from Apple’s own Lightning cables, I’ve tried ones that look like bungee cords, ones that are 10 feet long, and even ones that light up when you charge your device.

Surprisingly, the novelty illuminated Lightning cable has been the best so far as it has the most protection by the connector. However, out of the three I’ve bought for around the house, one did get really hot at the tip and melt. Based on the other two working so far, I’m planning on exchanging the melted one for the same cable. Hear that? I’d rather risk a melting cable than guarantee a short lived, frayed neck cable.

[tweet https://twitter.com/apollozac/status/501910839386202112]

Meanwhile, Apple is probably making a Lightning cable with a reversible USB end (you can even buy one now!) and Samsung is touting its new, three headed micro USB cable (presumably so you can plug in your Android, your smart watch, and your Android tablet all at the same time) but multiheaded cables aren’t really a new innovation (hello 30-pin). A tough Lighting cable? Now that’d be impressive.

[tweet https://twitter.com/llsethj/status/502542087825661952]

Apple, please, even if the design is a little less minimal, make a truly durable charging cable that can live up to real life use cases.

For that matter, a company like Mophie that makes battery packs or a company like Otterbox known for making durable products should make a truly durable Lightning cable and forgo the idea that it has to look slim and sleek.

It’s probably not as niche a market at you might think (again: see Tumblr).

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Comments

  1. I’ve replaced at least six lightning cables since I purchased my iPhone 5 in 2012.

    • rogifan - 10 years ago

      What the heck do you do with them?

      • Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

        Like the author, he probably bought cheap, fake cables that broke quickly.

      • boarddworld - 10 years ago

        I’m never rough with any of my gear, I still have and use my iPhone 2G cable that’s 7 years old (it sits in the car for my wife’s 4S). But genuine lightning cables, they’re rubbish. No if, but or maybe.

        It’s very likely because they’ve excluded chemicals to make them greener. In doing so it’s an even bigger impact to the environment due to extremely short life span. But hey it looks good on paper!

    • Urkel (@Urkel) - 10 years ago

      Does anyone know the cause for the bending/browning/melting of the cable?

      Apple is fantastic in allowing me to bring it in and replace it but EVERY time I go to the Apple Store then they pretend it’s the first time they ever heard of it. (Ive had the same genius replace it 3 times and he did the same “thats odd” act so I’m assuming that they are trying to downplay the issue)

      • standardpull - 10 years ago

        I too have had plenty of Lightning cables break. On many the plastic housing has cracked or they don’t charge or they give a not-authorized error message.

    • jeffmaxindc - 10 years ago

      It’s obvious that some people are having problems with their cables and it would probably be a good idea for Apple to beef up the connector it to alleviate the issues to some extent. However, I simply cannot understand what people are doing to their cables to make them fail. I’m in the Army and have deployed to some remote outposts in Iraq and Afghanistan with Apple cables for up to 14 months and have NEVER had one fail. I’ve traveled with them jammed into a side pocket on my rucksack, slung them all over the place without any care and even used one as a makeshift tie to secure a radio antenna that had come loose. I’ve never babied any of these cords, yet everyone of them is still in service today. To be fair, the lightning cables have been subjected to slightly less abuse because I haven’t had them as long, but they’re still not showing any sign of impending failure. How have people been rougher on their cables than me? I really don’t get it.

    • vansbutsneakers - 10 years ago

      I replaced mine like 12 times! They’re so expensive! However, I haven’t replaced mine for about 8 Months now.

      I was on amazon searching for iPhone cables (To replace my 12th one) and I ran into this astonishing product called the CableCast! It does exactly what we iPhone users need, and that’s protect the Lightning cable at its weakest point.

      Check it out, it proved itself to me. Here’s the link

      Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/CableCast-Lightning-Cable-Protector-3-Pack/dp/B00M3TUK24/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408738093&sr=8-1&keywords=cablecast

    • This is easy. When you unplug your iPhone, hold the connector (not the wire, the connector) firmly in one hand then gently separate the device from the lightning cable. Doing so will ensure your cable lasts and lasts. Doing your Terminator routine on any piece of electronic gear will guarantee its destruction.

  2. saoir - 10 years ago

    I’ve had the same cable since the first day I got my 5. No problem. Well made and durable. It has travelled with me everywhere. On the internet you always get the people with bad luck coming together and making a lot of noise. I doubt if Apple are paying that much attention and they are right.

    • Joe - 10 years ago

      Same here. Same lightning cable for two years. I got no problem with mine. Five people in my family have had theirs for a few years with no problems either. It’s not a problem. A couple thousand people online compared to the how many 100+ million iPhones and iPad’s sold? It’s not a problem. If people are going through several cables…the problem isn’t the cable.

    • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

      All 8 of my cables have no issues, including ones that are 2 years old.

      That said, it is quite easy to break them, if you treat them like shit, bend or kink them at the stress points, or constantly rip them out by the cable. Same goes for just about every other $19 wire on the planet.

    • standardpull - 10 years ago

      It’s the ones that you buy on Amazon for $4 that seem to be the offenders.

    • Jason M Price - 10 years ago

      I have never had any cable, lightning or otherwise break. And I am a daily charger. Stop pulling these things out from the wire. If you are a wall hugger and tend to yank on the things trying to use them maybe the real issue is you want a longer cable. This goes for you vacuum cleaner, iron, phones, extension cables, etc. And no I’m not being an Apple apologist, they have plenty of issues but this one is just not one of them. And I don’t know why, but I have seen many people on Androids and iPhones with exposed wires while charging. Hello, it’s electricity going through these things!! You wonder why the fires happen.

  3. rogifan - 10 years ago

    I wrecked the first lightening cable I has because I was using the device while charging it and bending the cable. Now I’m careful how I use my devices while charging and haven’t had any issues. I’m not saying they couldn’t be more durable but some of the photos I see there’s no way the lightening cable got that mangled from normal usage.

  4. It’s time for Apple to produce industry standard cables!! Their cables suck.. It’s only costing the consumer more money because of all the money you have to spend on these terrible cables.

    • herb02135go - 10 years ago

      Good article.
      Apple wants you to buy more cables.

    • Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

      As someone who’s worked in IT since forever, there is no such thing as “industry standard” cables, and Apple cables, by and large, are far more durable, better designed, and longer lasting than the rest of the cables you get with PC’s etc.

      Even stupid things like the power cable, or a VGA cable. Apple’s are generally better. Far better than the “average” cables anyway.

      • Urkel (@Urkel) - 10 years ago

        “Apple cables, by and large, are far more durable, better designed, and longer lasting than the rest of the cables you get with PC’s etc.”

        Really? Ive NEVER had a USB cable fail on me. (Or firewire, or thunderbolt, or AC power cable). But Lightning and 30pin cables have gone down enough that I wouldn’t consider them to be “durable”.

      • Wow Mr. Gray you have been brainwashed my friend.

  5. Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

    Never had a problem with any lightning cables myself and I see quite a lot of them each day.

    One issue is that there are a lot of fake ones out there. For instance the author goes on about how he’s tried lots of different types “aside from Apple’s” but in fact, other than the 10 foot optical lighting cable made by a third party, there are NO authorised third party lightning cables. So most of the cables we are talking about here are unauthorised, fake cables.

    • GLStewart (@glstewart) - 10 years ago

      There are plenty of supposedly MFi 3rd party cables out there, but they’re all not made equally well I’m sure – Amazon makes one I would trust as being truly “certified”(http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-USB-Lightning-Compatible-Cable/dp/B00B3OA7R8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408728205&sr=8-1&keywords=lightning+cable). Not sure how durable it is, however.

      • Zac Hall - 10 years ago

        I’ve got one in my car with electrical tape at the end of it and one I had to retire. The connector is thicker than Apple’s cables but I’m not sure they’re more durable, in my experience.

      • Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

        I don’t think your statement is true about the “plenty” of MFi cables out there. Usually when company jumps into one of Apple’s programs they make a big stink about it and include the MFi certification in their ads etc. I haven’t seen any reputable companies do that other than the optical cables I mentioned. Most mainstream “big” cable companies aren’t making lighting cables, and aren’t in the MFi program for instance. That tells you a lot.

        Just because some cable is available on the Internet and they have put the MFi tag on the advert, that doesn’t mean it’s a real authorised cable. This very article contains pictures of obviously fake cables that clearly don’t meet the specification.

        I’ve seen thousands of Apple cables over the years and they *do* break, and the problem usually *is* the part just past the head as illustrated by the pictures. They are like almost every other cable made in this respect.

        What I’m disagreeing with (strongly) is the assertion that this is hugely widespread, a problem that Apple is refusing to address, or that the issue is in fact proven by what amounts to a lot of hearsay evidence based on what are almost certainly (at least in majority) “fake” or unauthorised cables.

    • iJonni - 10 years ago

      Never had a problem w my cables. However there ARE many MFi cables. Just walk into any Apple Store. Belkin. Ncase. And others. Or look at store.apple.com and check the cables section. Apple would not sell non MFi cables in their own store silly

  6. I agree with this. The one I got with my iPad mini is shredded to death and my iPhone 5C one is starting to show signs of bunching up. The damn things are $20 each! Bring back stress reducers! That’s the whole reason Apple’s cables break so easily now. Once they stopped using them they made their cables so much easier to break.

  7. ksilb92024 - 10 years ago

    I was thrilled to go to the Apple Store last Saturday night with a defective lightning cable that looked brand new only to be told that I needed to schedule an appointment to bring it back. Ridiculous.

  8. They sure do i’ve replaced nearly 30 plugs in 2 years and its getting on my nerves i always use official cables from the box and replacements from apple

  9. uniszuurmond - 10 years ago

    I have a different problem: the Lightning port and connector itself. I don’t use a case and my iPhone is still in perfect condition after almost 2 years, which should tell you that I really take care of my stuff. But, my Lightning connector doesn’t work any way up anymore, I have to put it one way up. And my iPhone’s port tends to gather dust more than with the old style port, causing it to not want to charge. I’m now cleaning it with a tooth pick, as I cannot afford taking it to the Apple Store all the time. It seems to work just fine, but I cannot help to wonder when I will damage the insides. Anyone else with these issues? PS: the two issues here are unrelated, the Lightning connector also works only one way up on my partner’s relatively new iPhone.

    • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

      Your problem is dust/lint in the port. Not the cable.

      • uniszuurmond - 10 years ago

        Thats what I said at the beginning of the post. I have a different problem (related to the Lightning connector).

    • AJ Kertis (@akertis) - 10 years ago

      This is a problem I’ve seen before. The Lightning connector somehow gets corroded or something on the contacts. Apple will replace the cable for this issue. Usually one side will still charge because the contacts on the other side aren’t corroded yet.

  10. stephen2697 - 10 years ago

    This issue is a f**king joke. I have had in iPhone 5 for nearly 2yrs and ive been through about 6 cables

    • Rohan Deelen - 10 years ago

      Have my iPhone 5 since the day they were available. Never had to replace my Lightning Cable or my 30 Pin cables for that matter.

  11. Brian Ramage (@BJMRamage) - 10 years ago

    We had two lightning cables stop working. One from an iPhone 5 and one from a 5S. We took one to the Apple store but the iPhone5 phone was 3 weeks out of warranty (and it started to stop working 2 months earlier). We couldn’t use the 5S because that was a work phone that they took back.

    We have a Verizon-made Auto/Cigarette lightning cable and that is a thicker cable so it is good.

    When I took the lightning cable to the Apple Store it was still working when plugged in one direction. but the Genius told me it was because I yanked on the cable to pull it out…No, I know NOT to do that. Well, if it flexes like this it will stop working…guess what? that cable that barely worked but still worked, worked no more after the Genius finally broke it.

  12. Bruno Fernandes (@Linkb8) - 10 years ago

    Unfortunately, this looks like it may be one of the sides effects of going green on cable housings. No PVC.

  13. ovumcerebrum - 10 years ago

    Amen!

  14. jwink3101 - 10 years ago

    I have gone through 4 Apple, OEM lighting cables. Well, some are still usable but the housing is destroyed. I now have an Amazon Basics (certified or whatever) one and it is, so far, much more durable

  15. Joshua Hale - 10 years ago

    I’m having the same issue with mine. This would be the second time I need it replaced, but this has happened from when I purchased it (4 months after the release of the iPhone 5) until now.

  16. Paul Douglas - 10 years ago

    I got mine with my iPhone 5 almost two years ago, I use it all the time. It is fine.

    Stop pulling by the cable. The plastic part is HUGE. Grip it there, and as long as you’re holding the phone, it will come out with ease. You should NEVER pull any connector out with the cord.

  17. o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

    First of all I want to point out that what Phil was referencing in that slide was strictly about the physically new ‘lightning’ end of the cable, as in, not the cord or the USB end. You know this by reading all of the stated features/upgraded. 80% smaller = the lightning end, not the cord length or thickness… So right off the bat he was referring to the durability of the tongue of the lightning end being physically more durable than the tongue of the 30 pin, and I’d say that is probably true.

    Now, I will say that the cords can easily fail if you are bending them very much, over time. If you’re physically unplugging the cable from tugging on the cord, that’s your own fault, as the lightning end is easy to grab ahold of and pull it out. However, if you use the cord while charging, and it is bent frequently it will begin to turtleneck at the end and eventually rip open/lose connection from wires being broken free inside. The fact is the cable isn’t designed very well for the bending it takes when using it while charging. So I do believe they need to design it better at the ends where the cord meets the sheath, because it’s a fact that it isn’t suited well for bending heavily there, and it should be.

    • uniszuurmond - 10 years ago

      Totally agree with your assessment of what Phil was promoting, BUT see my post. The actual connector did NOT live up to their claims in my case, but was WORSE than the previous one.

    • taoprophet420 - 10 years ago

      I was going to say Apple was referring to the plug itself. The casing on the cable that came with my iPhone 5 started to peel after about 6 weeks and I have no problem with the one that came with my iPad Air. Churning out hundreds of millions of cables they are bound to be issues with some cables. Apple should have made the connection point between the casing and the lightning plug thicker and more durable.

  18. Avenged110 - 10 years ago

    Although I’ve never personally had any issues, (I still have my original iPhone 5 lightning cable and it works just fine) I know a ton of people who have gone through cables that are just using them normally. One of my friends had one fray at the end and was told by Apple it was “too damaged” to be replaced and that they “never see that.” He was so pissed.

  19. charismatron - 10 years ago

    Never had a single problem with any Apple cord. Ever.

    My house is loaded with various iCords and they all work perfectly fine.

    Honestly, I think the author is really grasping here, or has taken up using them to rustle up horses.

  20. rentalanimal - 10 years ago

    This makes no sense. I’ve had my iPhone 5 for two years and have not damaged a cable yet. Stop twisting them and bending them so bad if you want them to last.

  21. Avenged110 - 10 years ago

    I don’t think the 30-pin ones were, but the Lightning cables are wrapped in a woven metal covering underneath the white plastic instead of loose cables. So theoretically, they should be slightly safer after fraying if not more durable.

  22. PMZanetti - 10 years ago

    I have every Lightning cable I’ve ever purchased or acquired including the first one that came with my iPhone 5. Upwards of 8 cables, between house, office, and car.

    Not one of them shows the slightest amount of wear.

    Stop being gorillas with your cable.

  23. tomtubbs - 10 years ago

    Gone through 4 at least. Other 2 are loking semi cracked/showing early signs. And yet i’ve been able to slowly give away my old 30 pin cables. Something is different enough from the 2 cables. It’s like Magsafe 2 issues with Macbooks. Something got worse in the change.

  24. Joe Cheng - 10 years ago

    my original lightning cable that came with my iPhone 5 still works just fine. This is with daily usage and occasional tugs and falls off the nightstand at night. That being said, the connection spot where the actual cable meets the connector is showing wrinkles and wear. While it may not be the strongest cable, its held up pretty well for me at least. I’ve bought a few of them for traveling, car charging, office desk etc and none have broke . .. yet.

  25. Jeff Wayne - 10 years ago

    Seriously, what do people do with these cables? I have 10 iPhones/iPads in the house all with lightning cables….6 of which are used daily by kids 9-12 years old. I have never had an issue with a cable…ever. Perhaps the ‘You are doing it wrong!” statement applies….lol

    • herb02135go - 10 years ago

      If you have 10 cables you are probably using each one less than a person who has only one or two.

  26. Darren Lucy (@DLucy_3) - 10 years ago

    I’ve never had to replace my lightning cable. I got the phone the day it came out. I also have an iPad air. If people yank it like a chain, what do you think will happen?

    Lightning charges my phone from dead to 100% in no more than 75 minutes. Pull it out from the plastic on the end and you’ll never ruin one.

  27. I have an 8 and 13 year old that use the same charger in the living room as i use for my iPhone 5S, they also have another in there bedroom they share, and mine from the 5s is in my bedroom… Even with 2 heavy handed kids, never had an issue in over 18 months…!!! I do still have 3 spare brand new ones that i was given by my neighbour who gets them free from work, never been unwrapped as never needed them… What are you all doing with them to break them like that…???

  28. Tony Bowens - 10 years ago

    It’s not just me!
    Completely agree with this article.
    I still have old 30pin firewire cables that still function but I’ve gone through no less than 8 of these cables since they debuted.
    And they all have that same fail point.

    Tried Apple, Amazon, Monoprice, Macally. All fail and I do nothing with the cables except pick them up to plug in my phone.

    Monoprice at least has a lifetime guarantee so they’ll send you replacements.

  29. Marklewood at Serenity Lodge - 10 years ago

    Same problem here. In fact, ironically, I was just going to go on line today to complain to APPLE about two chords I purchased at the store from them, that have come apart exactly like how Zac references. I know they must be faulty, because I still have and use a thirty-pin chord for my older iPhone and it has not suffered the same fate. Neither have the power/charger chords for my original PowerBook G4 laptop, which by today’s standards is ancient. My two lightening chords are for a newer 5s iPhone and an iPad. Very disconcerting, I think.

  30. crichton007 - 10 years ago

    Man, how do people have such bad luck? I still have all of my original lightning cables and only one has a small ding in it from where I dropped it.

    • jrox16 - 10 years ago

      It’s not bad luck, it’s user error. People treat their stuff like garbage and then complain when it breaks. They are pulling on the cable by the wire rather than the plug, something you’re never supposed to do with any cable ever, something I think I learned in like 1st grade.

  31. Tamal (@tamalm) - 10 years ago

    Both my mac and iPhone 4S cables are pretty weak. I had to use black tape near the joint. iPad cable is good so far. Is it too difficult to make cables that runs entire phone’s life? Feature phone cables used to be pretty good in the last decade. Even Nokia and BlackBerry’s data cable used to be pretty good.

  32. Taste_of_Apple - 10 years ago

    I take good care if my cables and I still find that they break fairly easily. At least they are covered by Apple’s warranty so they replace them for free if you’re still under it.

  33. The lightning cables that me and my wife have for the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and iPad Air still look just like brand new. Not one single issue. I’m really not sure what these people are doing with their cables?????

  34. jrox16 - 10 years ago

    I’m always BAFFLED by these posts and people complaining about breaking cables. Guys, for gods sakes… you were supposed to learn this as a child… YOU DO NOT PULL CABLES BY THE WIRE!! PULL OUT BY THE PLUG!! This is a basic life skill so many people forgot or what?? Every cable will eventually turn to crap if you pull on them by the wire part rather than the plug end. I have several Lighting cables and never had a single problem because I ALWAYS pull out by the plug, like every other plug ever. When Schiller said it was more durable, he was referring to the actual PLUG end, the metal part that goes into the socket. That part is WAY more durable than mini or micro USB which gets worn out and loose after a few months.
    All these complains are 100% user error. Apple should change nothing on the cables, people should change how they treat things (and stop dropping your $750 pocket computers already! My 5S, without a case, is nearly mint still!)
    Here’s some basic life skills instructions for how to deal with Lighting Cables, or any cable for that matter:

    1) wrap forefinger around plug end just below the socket, not the wire.
    2) place opposable thumb over plug end on the opposite side, creating a plug sandwich (the plug is the meat, your fingers the bread)
    3) apply a squeezing pressure to the plug end.
    4) apply a lateral force to pull cable plug out of socket.
    5) give yourself a pat on the back, you’re a grown up now!

  35. PMZanetti - 10 years ago

    [IMG]http://i60.tinypic.com/ir57gg.jpg[/IMG]

    Will this last you two freaking days?

  36. george264 - 10 years ago

    I think I finally found the durable Lightning cable. It’s called Juicies+ and I backed it on kickstarter. I’ve only used it for a week, but it’s threaded fibers, the heads are made of aluminum. This is one serious cable. I got it for 18 bucks and it’s up for 29 right now, but if it means 10$ for a durable cable that lasts longer than 6 of the standard cables, hell yeah I’ll take it.

  37. Brett (@Snywalker) - 10 years ago

    What are people doing with their cables? It’s not Indiana Jones’ whip, you shouldn’t be handling it as such. My wife and I have gone through iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPad 4 and the iPad Air with lightening cables all over the house, and we haven’t killed one yet.

  38. I think you should maybe shop around a little more. I’ve tried several brands of Lightning cable and have found the Nexxtech to be the best price wise, and durability wise.
    I have a blue one that I use at parties or when I’m out, sort of the beater of all my iPhone cables, and it has held up quite well. No ripping of the rubber jacket of the cable itself, no crinkling near the end of the cable, and I’ve even got up with my phone in hand while its plugged in, and yanked it quite a few times.

    http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?product=8014429&language=en-CA&utm_campaign=bazaarvoice&utm_medium=SearchVoice&utm_source=AskAndAnswer&utm_content=Default

    They feel a little more plasticy than the Apple ones, but these are licensed and it seems the plastic around the lightning connector is a little thicker and more durable.

  39. joelwrose (@joelwrose) - 10 years ago

    I know i’m the exception here, but…
    I’ve been an apple user since 2004. I’ve had 2 iPods, 3 notebooks, and 6 iphones.. all with their own cable. Out of 11 different chargers that came with those devices, I’ve replaced one lightening cable (through apple, under warranty) – and I think that was one my wife was actually using. It worked, it was just flakey with charging.
    I’m usually super careful with stuff, so I guess that’s why? I’m curious how people usually treat their cables. I never tightly wind them (or I don’t wind them at all). I pickup the device by the device itself, and not by the cable. There must be some common (mis)uses that many people do that cause damage quickly. Not saying that Apple couldn’t make them more durable, I’m just curious.

    • I just have dumb moments and try to walk away, phone in hand, while it’s charging.
      I know it’s silly, but I’m sure others do worse.

      • Bernardo Pérez - 10 years ago

        But this can be consider some kind of accident, also something not every cable would support after a few tries.

  40. acslater017 - 10 years ago

    Don’t kink it and don’t unplug by yanking the wire. That’s how you stop from breaking any kind of cable.

    I’ve had 2 lightning cables and a lightning to 30 pin adapter for 2 years now and have never damaged any of them.

  41. Yoel Sandel - 10 years ago

    i have bought this one for a friend and he says its strong and great

    http://winnergear.com/product/iphone5/

  42. Jason White - 10 years ago

    I’ve gone through numerous lightning and dock cables due to our cat love to chew on those and ruin them. MacBook chargers included! Cat doesn’t care for any other cords such as ethernet cord, mouse cord, keyboard cord, PC laptop charger cord. Why are those Apple cords so tasty and good smelling for the cat to chew on. Made me wonder, is Apple doing this on purpose to make more profits by having people to constantly buy new Apples over and over?

  43. Toro Volt (@torovolt) - 10 years ago

    Part of this problem is the cable design. With no grooves to pull it, the cable becomes very slippery, this is bad design, typical Apple form over function. Almost all other cables in the market have textured surface that provide a more secure grip when pulling the cable.

    • Bernardo Pérez - 10 years ago

      Try cleaning your hands once in a while to avoid your finger be more slippery

    • Jason M Price - 10 years ago

      No it’s not bad design, it’s a poor user. the CABLE should never ever be pulled, on anything. Pull from the connector. In addition, tweaking, bending, or wrapping any wire at the connector point will eventually result in total failure. Put a bit more pressure with your finger tips against the connector, it comes out fine, unless you’re constantly licking mayo off your fingertips.

  44. Bernardo Pérez - 10 years ago

    Why don’t you try using the white plastic “space”/”holder”/”protector” with the lightning logo printed instead of the main cable?

  45. jeffmaxindc - 10 years ago

    It’s obvious that some people are having problems with their cables and it would probably be a good idea for Apple to beef up the connector it to alleviate the issues to some extent. However, I simply cannot understand what people are doing to their cables to make them fail. I’m in the Army and have deployed to some remote outposts in Iraq and Afghanistan with Apple cables for up to 14 months and have NEVER had one fail. I’ve traveled with them jammed into a side pocket on my rucksack, slung them all over the place without any care and even used one as a makeshift tie to secure a radio antenna that had come loose. I’ve never babied any of these cords, yet everyone of them is still in service today. To be fair, the lightning cables have been subjected to slightly less abuse because I haven’t had them as long, but they’re still not showing any sign of impending failure. How have people been rougher on their cables than me? I really don’t get it.

    Perhaps Apple should introduce “Kevlar cables.”

  46. Felipe Baez (@baezfelipe) - 10 years ago

    Oh wow, wondering what you guys are doing with your cables. A simple cable “common sense” on how to use it avoids pretty much most of the cases. I treat the lightning cable like any other and all of them (and other cables) last me a LONG time. Wondering if Apple will need to include a “how to use a cable” in the next boxes. By the way, I have 3 lightning cables (since iPhone 5 came out), all in constant use and so does my wife, we really haven’t had any issues.

  47. Ratz (@ratz0) - 10 years ago

    If you grab the cable from the plastic at the end, and don’t yank it out from the cord itself it won’t break, if you don’t have the cable bent while it’s charging it won’t break.
    I’ve literally never had a single Apple cable break on me, Lightning, 30-Pin, MagSafe, I have never had to replace a single one, because I’m not careless with it.

  48. The cables don’t break if you pull them out by the base of the cable. It’s when you yank them out by pulling the cable itself that the cord will start to weaken over time. I’ve had them same cables last over two years without trouble. Just be smart about it.

  49. vansbutsneakers - 10 years ago

    I absolutely agree with this! I hate it! However, I did find a relatively cheap solution. I haven’t replaced a cable in about 9 months. I’m surprised no one has heard about this… and i’m not quite sure why it’s not well known yet in the iPhone Community.

    It’s called the CableCast. It’s this little, inexpensive, plastic piece that snaps onto the iPhones ORIGINAL lightning cable. It protects it from ripping at its weakest point. I bought like 10 of them from amazon.

    The company (LuminousLights) has a video on youtube describing the effectiveness and benefits of the CableCast. There’s even a cool glow in the dark version so you can find your cable at night!

    Keep your original iPhone cable protected. Trust me. Buy a cable cast and never walk into the apple store again looking for a cable.

    Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/CableCast-Lightning-Cable-Protector-3-Pack/dp/B00M3TUK24/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408738093&sr=8-1&keywords=cablecast

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVSeDQJ2yxE

  50. Chris Ko Hoffman - 10 years ago

    I completely agree. I’ve bought around 10 lightning cables because I have one for my car, two for my home (comptuer and bed-side) and one for my office. The only one that HAS NOT broken is the one in my office but every other cable elsewhere has been replaced at least one other time. This is ridiculous.

  51. Patrick Allen - 10 years ago

    Have you ever tested a certified cable from Belkin? I would like an opinion on this alternative.

    • Zac Hall - 10 years ago

      I bought one recently that lasted about six weeks. Might have been a lemon but with my experience with other cables thinking they’re all designed similarly.

    • joshy101 - 10 years ago

      I have a Belkin green cable that I bought from Walmart last winter and it’s held up pretty good. The other two OEM cables I’ve had didn’t last long before the cable insulation would tear apart, and one wouldn’t work anymore when the screen would say “this accessory is not supported”. So I’m buying a couple more Belkin’s soon. The Belkin cable is much thicker so it should last a long time.

  52. Kirby Knight - 10 years ago

    While I’ve had no problems with my Lightning cables breaking, I will say the best one I own is Amazon Basics’ version. Every cable I’ve had of theirs has been very durable and has never broken. Highly recommended.

  53. Never happened to me. All of my charging cables are in mint condition – iPhone 4S, iPhone 5C, iPad mini, MacBook White, MacBook Pro Retina.

  54. chudman85 - 10 years ago

    Simple solution plug it in and out only holding the plastic parts not the cable and don’t stretch the cable or twist it I have never had to replace a lightning cable and I’ve had the same one since the iPhone 5 launched

  55. Dzung Pham - 10 years ago

    Mine is so far so good. Nothing to complaint. What’s wrong with you guys or am I too gentle? :v

  56. Bruce Lester - 10 years ago

    All of my original Apple supplies Lightning cables have held up just fine. I ordered longer ones from Monoprice, one failed but had a lifetime warranty. Just took an e-mail to replace, hassle.

  57. latinoboyboy - 10 years ago

    My experience with lightning cables hasn’t been good either but not in the fact they break, they just stop working all of a sudden. One day they’re charging everything and the next they don’t work. It happened with my original iPhone 5 cable and then with another I got at Best Buy (it was $22). I got a $5 10ft. one through eBay and the same thing happened. I now bought a $6 flat cabled one and it seems to be working well.

  58. Michael C. Mahtin - 10 years ago

    When I was working as a Family Room Specialist, I would replace lightning cables like nobody’s business. But I have three of my own – iPhone 5, iPod Touch, iPad Mini – and all three of the cables I have are the originals. I’ve never understood how some folks have cables damaged so quickly and easily

  59. ChilledTJ (@ChilledTJ) - 10 years ago

    I just received a new cable I brought. Mine bent at the end like in most of the pictures shown. Surprise to see this article, they need to fix this!

  60. dvinder42 - 10 years ago

    what sort of brutes do all that damage to a computer cable?

  61. Justin Winchester - 10 years ago

    I never had to replace any of mine. And I own 2 iPhones, and 3 iPads that use Lightning. I have a total of 9 cables and they are all in perfect condition. 3 are in cars, one is a Jeep with the top always off, in the weather.

    Not sure what you do to your cables, but the official Apple ones work perfect for me. Don’t buy the cheap 3rd party ones.

  62. Randy March - 10 years ago

    How do you destroy so quickly the cable? The only cable I’ve damaged is a 30-pin connector cable from my first-generation iPod nano. I’ve replaced my MagSafe power cables twice but never because of the cable itself; that’s a real issue.

    I can’t say I rigorously verify that I don’t bend my cables in damaging ways but I still try to minimise damage. Good habits result in good results; you shouldn’t expect ultra strong industrial-level cables (although that would be awesome).

    Also: the Apple Store ratings are heavily biased; most buyers are there to replace and are therefore already negatively inclined. ;-)

  63. Are you people using the cable as a garrote?? I’ve never had to replace my lightning cable since I bought my 5s.

  64. pdoobs - 10 years ago

    Sounds more like apple needs to better describe the proper technique for removing the lightning cable. Unlike the old dock connect the lightning connector is long enough to grip before removing it.

    Also this sound like the same type of whining that the iPhone itself isn’t durable enough. Quit treating your expensive things like shit and they will last longer.

  65. t1mber - 10 years ago

    I’ve never personally had a single problem with any Apple brand lightening cable, 30-pin adapter, magsafe adapter, video adapter, etc, and I commute/travel with them often. That being said…as a technician for several years at an authorized service provider, I’ve definitely seen all of the above pictures before, but I really do think it comes down to how you handle them, store them, etc. Treat them well and they will last and last.

  66. aeronperyton - 10 years ago

    I have never managed to break or damage any of the Lightening or Dock Connector cables that I have owned over the past decade. In spite of moving, traveling to multiple countries, keeping them in a backpack that was regularly exposed to inclement weather, dropping them, crushing them… the worst that ever happened was they started to turn gray with dirt from handling.

    Now the earbuds… those things have never lasted past six months for me even just with normal use. Even if I make a conscious effort to treat them with care something always happens. Speaker cones start failing, or the rubber band around them peals off, or the cable self-destructs from what should not be considered too much bending. However, Apple always replaces them for me in good faith so I.

  67. Michael Smith - 10 years ago

    A company called Lilitab makes a great right angle Apple certified Lightning cable that I’ve been using for a couple of months now. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but it is very sturdy, plus it has the added benefit of a right angle connector that works perfectly in my car.

    http://www.lilitab.com/collections/accessories/products/right-angle-lighting-cable

  68. René Larsen - 10 years ago

    I agree – Apple has an issue here! TIP: Take a cheep ballpen, unscreew and take out the little spring. Now “turn” the spring on to the cable (2 ends, 2 ballpens, 2 springs) – this will actually protect the cable against bending and damage..

  69. smigit - 10 years ago

    “I still haven’t found the right way to use a Lightning cable in the real world that doesn’t stress it after a few months.”

    Are people pulling on the cord itself to remove it or are they grabbing the connector and pulling that like they should? As far as I’m aware since the dawn of time for basically any cable it’s been advised you pull the connector and not the cables wire itself. Judging by the location of the damage in those images, people are either bending the cable a lot right near the connector or they’ve been tugging on the cord. The cables designed to be relatively high friction, so the closer to the end you pull it from the better since it’ll place less strain on the joints.

    I own about five or six lightening cables and haven’t had a single one fail while using them in this fashion.

  70. Pierre Calixte - 10 years ago

    I’ve only bought OEM cables and I’ve had no issues whatsoever. the 30 pin connector on the other hand always started unraveling at the base.

  71. ifunography - 10 years ago

    Don’t know what you’ve been doing….

    I had my original iPad for 4 years and never had to replace the original cable.
    I had an iPhone 4S for two years and never had to replace the cable.
    I’ve had the iPhone 5s since last October; no cable issues.
    I’ve had the iPad mini w/ Retina Display since March with no issues.

    I did have a broken cable for my MacBook Air after 2 years of use but that’d be a different discussion (it’s not a Lightning cable).

    I’m sorry but I can only blame these issues on bad luck or carelessness. Handle your equipment properly and you won’t have any issues.

  72. Sure, it isn’t cheap, but I have two Lightning cables that came with my 7G iPod nano and iPad Air. Both have held up very well in daily use, so it’s a classic case of maybe sticking with the Apple-provided cable for now.

  73. Kameel Misra - 10 years ago

    I have had some trouble in regards to the charger port end but have found that if you attach a spring of a old pen its prevents further breaking of the cord and keeps it lasting a bit longer until a new apple device is bought. Although I believe that apple should spend a little more on building the chargers eg, make a thicker tangle proof cord.

  74. godfreydigiorgi - 10 years ago

    I continue to use the original cables that came with my iPad mini and iPhone 4S. Neither have given me a moment’s trouble, both are well over a year old, and the devices are connected and disconnected at least a couple of times every day.

  75. My son has had his lightning cables break on him twice now. I believe it’s because people don’t grasp the hard plastic plug part while plugging and unplugging their device.
    My solution is to go to any 3rd party store and get the old 30 pin connector then get a 30 to 8 pin lightning adaptor at Apple this makes the plug much more larger so it is easier to grip when connecting and disconnecting from your device.

  76. Tim - 10 years ago

    Honestly I’ve never had one break and I’ve been using them since the day iphone 5 came out. Even the one I’ve used daily in the car has given me zero problems. People must “yank” cable to remove it. I always grab the solid end in one hand and the device in the other.

    • Ken Hoey - 9 years ago

      That doesn’t prove that its durable because you use feather it. When things are tested they’re tested in a manner that people would be moderately rough with it…not overly ginger!

  77. Olivier Pilon (@froli13) - 10 years ago

    I accidently left my lightning cable (and wall charger) in my jeans pocket when doing the laundry. It was in there the whole time with water and soap and spin and everything. I put it in a bag of rice for a couple of days and it still works like a charm ;)

    I know your complaints are mainly about the rubber but still.. Happy customer here !

  78. nishanthprabu07 - 10 years ago

    True that. Even the support people in store prefer to Belkin cables as they’re longer lasting.

  79. Nathan Pastor-Lutzo - 10 years ago

    Gonna give you guys an insider’s opinion / perspective. I worked in Apple Stores for 6.5 years. Most of that time was spent behind Genius Bars. I can’t speak for everyone, but MOST of those pictured conditions have been the case of folks casually yanking the lightning cable out from the wire part and not from the plastic tip, which you used to have to do with the 30-pin connector. Over time, that stretches the cable and breaks the inner wiring. Defect? Nope! Apple not thinking about people’s psychological use of their products everyday?Could be! So, people’s perception that this cable is LESS durable really comes from shrugging off little things like this that may be true. Before you call me a fan-boy, MANY folks that I helped out have admitted that that’s indeed true, and I would sometimes offer an exchange of the cable ONCE for free as a courtesy, as technically any “physical damage” isn’t covered under warranty. They would also usually leave stoked and not come back in for the same issue. People that just got their cables replaced (free or not), with no conversation would generally be back annoyed.

    This article’s opinion and perception on Apple doing something about this is from a combination of things. Store employee’s mindless free replacement of cables without any insight to why the cable may have failed, and some employees simply being short with people calling it damaged, not covered & advised to buy a new one (which, to Apple’s warranty people is technically true). Obiously results vary too so now that I’m not with Apple anymore, this is opinion that is backed by fact. Apple hasn’t changed the material of their cables in the last 5 years or so (since the original iPhones came with 30-pins that you didn’t have to grasp the sides of to unplug, i.e. old iPod model’s 30-pins)…..if I come off as too defensive, it’s from time having real-world, in person conversations with the community of Apple users, and not just venting at a screen.

    • giskardian - 9 years ago

      And why do people pull it out by the cord? Because the connector body is too small and slippery to easily grasp. Micro USB cables don’t have that problem. They are also generally more ruggedly constructed around the plugs.

      This is another case of Apple’s design anorexia resulting in a diminished user experience.

  80. paulnielsensql - 10 years ago

    There’s nothing wrong with the Apple Lightning cables that using a little common sense and taking care of your stuff won’t solve.

  81. Kevin Rye (@RyeMAC3) - 10 years ago

    You people need to take better care of your stuff. I have a grand total of 23 iOS devices, all going back to the original 2001 iPod. The only time I’ve ever had to replace a cable is when my cat bit through one of them.

  82. What is wrong with you people?! For those of you who break your cables and say that you’re ‘gentle’ with your stuff are either blind, in denial or insane. I still have the original cable that came with my iPhone 5 and it’s been two years now! It still works perfectly! The only thing wrong with it is the hole drilled into – I bought a third party stand that makes a slight impression into the cable when properly affixed. (A dock that was reviewed and touted on this site) Even with the damage to the plastic – that I knowingly caused – is still charges perfectly, just as fast no problems. I also bought a 0.5m cable after getting this dock so I could recharge my phone at work (I like to put it on shuffle for roughly 7 hours, as well as use it on breaks and my commute to and from work and it just can put out 9+ hours of non-stop use). After months, the cable still looks brand new – still as white as day one! It’s not hard people. Just grab the hard plastic of the connector – USB or Lightning side with one hand and the device with the other, then pull. Really it’s not rocket science.

    • Chastity Marie Embick - 9 years ago

      Hey genius, some people are in a hurry and, don’t have the time to just pull it off lightly. Storing the cables is a real pain in the arse because, Apple makes the cords too dam long and, when you wrap them up, it can actually destroy the cord since the wire is bending. Putting them in your pocket can also defect the wiring inside. There is no proper way to store charging cables. Until the day companies make cases that holds the charger with the device than, the lightning cables are just going to get ruined. It’s like you’ve never even handled a lightning cable. They are the most thin and, cheaply made cables ever made. I’ve had my iPod classic charger from day 1. I’ve never had to replace that but with the so called, “new and improved” charger, I have to buy a new one every year.

  83. Fabian Laussmann - 10 years ago

    i needed 5 new cables during 2 years of iPhone 5. and my original 3gs cable i still in proper work…

  84. bb1111116 - 10 years ago

    We have three Lightning cables (two with iPhone 5s when first released and an extra one).
    We have never had a Lightning cable break.
    I am pretty rough with my cable.
    I’m sorry that some people have been having this problem but again, it has never been an issue with me.

  85. The connector has improved durability, not the cable. This was always clear.

  86. If you pull the cable from the right area not just the pulling the main cable area they won’t fail like this.

  87. herb02135go - 10 years ago

    Isn’t it about time Apple turned out a product that works?
    See the story above about the latest battery problems. How is Maps doing these days?
    The sheep would buy a black brick – shaped pile of dung if it had an Apple logo. You deserve better.

  88. Maarten Kronenburg - 10 years ago

    5 iphones here in the house (one 5, 4 iphone 5S), and after 12 months 5 new cables. We have teens that may not be that respectful for their kit, but the lightning cable is the worst accessory I have had for years. Happy with the phones – no question.

  89. Thank you for writing this article. I’ve gone through three expensive Thunderbolt cables so far for those exact reasons and it seems unfair. The cables simply don’t stand up to every day use.

  90. The cables are fine. I worked at the genius bar at Apple and techs have to use those cable more than any one and we made them last. When people would bring in their damaged cables, they weren’t just damaged, they were disgusting. Most of them were brown. It’s very simple. If you allow the cable to be bent near the connector, eventually there will be issues.

  91. The same goes for macbook pro power adapter cables.

  92. blm1990 - 9 years ago

    I’ve never managed to damage a lightning cable whatsoever. My iPhone 6+ is my 6th iOS device that used lightning and I have had no trouble so far. Without doubt, the cable does not stand up to the quality it should for that price. As I have learned many years ago, when I started to play the guitar, is, that the trick is to never pull on ANY cable when removing it. No matter if USB, 3.5mm or Lightning, ALWAYS pull on the plastic connector itself. Don’t wiggle the cable either, pull it out in one go. Don’t run the cable over any sharp edges.

    The only cable I habe broken so far was the 30-pin on my iPhone 3G and that one sort of “rotted” of (changed from white to brown at the connector, than crumbled off). I got free replacement for that one.

  93. Ollie Newman - 9 years ago

    Here’s a great solution that we found. http://www.icordrx.com/

  94. Vanessa Bell - 9 years ago

    Sometimes when people look for replacement cables, they choose the cheap ones which are quick to fray and malfunction. I chose an MFI-certified lightning cable and its on sale. if you need one, you can get a 40% off coupon code here http://forums.deals2buy.com/discussion/3744/40-off-adfilic-lightning-cable-exclusive-christmas-promo

  95. Leon Cooper - 9 years ago

    I’ve gone through about 5 freaking cables and my problems have nothing to do with kinks or the rubber outside. After a few weeks the cable simply won’t charge the phone anymore. I’m not doing anything extreme with these things in fact I buy 3 at a time so that I can keep them generally plugged into the same spot without ever moving them; I have one for the car, one for work and one for home.

    It doesn’t matter if it’s the OEM cable or any number of third-party cables I’ve purchased. They all fail within weeks. I’m beginning to think my phone is somehow breaking them; physically they look pristine they just simply don’t freakin’ work anymore.

    It’s immensely frustrating that a $5 piece of crap 30-pin cable I bought at Big Lots 4 years ago is outperforming all these brand new lightning cables. I’m about to just re-activate my 4S and throw this stupid iPhone 6 out a window. What does it matter how great the phone is if you can’t charge the damned thing? It’s a fancy-looking brick.

  96. cor tadema (@us_itguru) - 9 years ago

    I am responsible for our IT department and with all employees having iPhone 5C , 5S or 6+ phones we seem to be replacing the Lightning cables at the rate of at least one per week. We have employees that are extreme careful with the cords but somehow it still stops working while others seem to toss them everywhere and they keep working. The connector on the Lightning side seams to break internally most of the time and it does not seem to matter whether these are Apple’s branded cords or 3rd parties, they all seem to break within a short time span.

  97. Michael Cruz - 9 years ago

    Lightning connector in my opinion is great nonetheless the closed eco-system is creates preventing powered usb hubs to allow free to connect devices is just not supported based on how IOS and the accessory mFI program works. Every 8pin based accessory must be licensed by apple and approved by apple before it can be sold and for it to pass data to the device and or apps. This is how Apple makes royalties of the entire accessory market place not just some devices but ALL.

    For example I design and fabricate my own line of iPad Kiosk Enclosures with built in card reader however do not manufacture any specific cable we use the swiper which is already licensed to pass power back to the ipad which is ideal for an ipad which have an 8pin connected device while also needing to be charged at the same time.

    You can see this here: http://www.spartakioskpro.com

    With the ability to open up the data port to any 3rd party device without the need for mFI licensing will ultimately create a loss for Apple on the licensing side however the iOS device will then become more of a play with all type cpu and this will make it much more capable for enterprise and business applicability and uses.

    We are able to do just that while still using the 8pin connector but that is a whole other topic :)

  98. Michael Hobart - 9 years ago

    I agree that this is one of the worst products that Apple has made. I’ve now had two Mac minis for about 18 months and am on my 3rd Apple lightning cable. 2x have visibly discolored and failed just below the “stress” relief just as you illustrate. If this is “improved durability” I wonder about the older 30 pin cables (I never had an earlier iPad). Apple should be ashamed of these :-9

  99. Kenneth Ray - 8 years ago

    I’m at the point where I believe that the design was, simply, defective. I have a brand new cord that simply won’t charge unless I wiggle it around in the port and hope that it makes a connection. The Apple people say that I probably have lint in the port, and I need to take a toothpick and clean it out. Are they serious? They expect me to gouge around in a $600 phone with a toothpick?

  100. Vit (@tVittal) - 8 years ago

    All my Lighting cables got cracks on plastic shell (both ends) – for iPhone 5s, iPad Air and iPad Pro 12. Cable for iPhone 4 (bought on the day of premiere) still holds after six years of most careless treatment.

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.