Apple ditches popular accessories that many people need

Apple appears to have quietly discontinued a popular accessory that was once essential to some iPhone users.

The 3.5mm Lightning to Headphone Jack adapter has been sold on Apple’s UK and US websites for some time.

The device allowed users to connect the iPhone without a headphone jack to a wide range of devices, including wired headphones, speakers, car audio systems and in-flight entertainment.

As Apple ditches its proprietary Lightning port in favor of USB-C, this once common and necessary accessory may be gone forever.

The adapter first launched in 2016 alongside the iPhone 7, 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 phasing out of the Lightning connector has been gradual, with the iPhone 15 marking the official switch 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 options like Lightning EarPods or Bluetooth AirPods, and the adapter was no longer connected to the device. It continued to be sold separately in Apple stores for about $9, but now it seems to be disappearing from stores altogether.

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

They are also available for purchase on some non-Apple sites, including Amazon.

While this change has been met with disappointment by some die-hard 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.