Identify counterfeit or uncertified Lightning connector accessories

Apple recommends using only accessories that Apple has certified and that come with the "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" logo.* Learn about the issues that counterfeit or uncertified Lightning accessories can cause and how to identify these accessories.

If you use a counterfeit or uncertified Lightning accessory, you could see these issues:

Your iOS device could become damaged
The cable might be easily damaged
The connector end might fall off, get very hot, or might not fit properly into your device
You might not be able to sync or charge your device

*Only Apple makes the USB-C to Lightning Cable. There are no "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" USB-C to Lightning cables.

Compare packaging and writing on the cable

To identify counterfeit or uncertified cables and accessories, look carefully at the accessory's packaging and at the accessory itself. Certified third-party accessories have the MFi logo on their packaging. An Apple Lightning to USB cable has "Designed by Apple in California" and either "Assembled in China," "Assembled in Vietnam," or "Indústria Brasileira" on the cable about seven inches from the USB connector. You'll see a 12-digit serial number at the end of this text.

A certified, third-party Lightning to USB cable usually has company branding on the Lightning-connector end.

Compare connectors and laser etchings

You can use the Lightning connector, USB connector, and laser etchings to identify counterfeit or uncertified Lightning accessories. Compare the images below of certified Apple accessories and counterfeit or uncertified Lightning accessories. These are only a few counterfeit products. There are others.

Lightning to USB cable, Lightning-connector end

Here are examples of the Lightning-connector end of the Lightning to USB cable. The first three are Apple-certified, the others are counterfeit or uncertified.

Lightning to USB cable, USB-connector end

Here are examples of the USB-connector end of the Lightning to USB cable. The first four are Apple-certified, the next set are counterfeit or uncertified.