Jack Be Quick – Apple Seems to Be Discontinuing Its Popular (and Still Necessary) iPhone Headphone Jack Adapter
Heads up – it might be time to make the transition to using wireless earbuds with your devices. In fact, if you’re an iPhone user, you soon may not have a choice.
Way back (in 2016) when the iPhone 7 was introduced, (some) users were stunned to see that the familiar headphone jack portal missing from Apple’s newest device. Instead, only a charging port remained on the phone’s bottom. But anyone who dug through the box the device came in would have found a handy adaptor that would allow for the full plugged-in listening experience.
Apple stopped including that helpful device with the release of the iPhone XS. But you could still pick one up at Apple stores…until now.
According to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, the adapter was recently listed as “sold out” on Apple’s online store in the U.S. and in most other countries, It can be purchased in just a handful of countries, like as France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, though that may only be until remaining inventory is sold out.
This isn’t the first time a global sell-out came in advance of a product being discontinued: earlier this year, the SuperDrive sold out on Apple’s online store first in the U.S. and eventually worldwide.
It’s hardly surprising, given the prevalence of wireless earbuds these days, and the only iPhone models with Lightning ports that Apple still sells new are the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE. All three of those devices are expected to be discontinued come next year.
Apple now equips its new models, like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, with USB-C ports, and Apple will sell you a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter in its store.
Not only that, but a quick search of third-party sellers shows that there are still purchasing options, especially if you don’t mind going off-brand for the product. But this news could be a portent of things to come – for headphone users, it may be Bluetooth or bust soon.