Apple USB-C To Lightning Cable 1 m - Fast Charging For Legacy iPhone And iPad
Published on 09/16/2026 at 13:31 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) keeps Lightning-based iPhone, iPad and accessories compatible with the growing world of USB-C chargers and laptops, bridging old connectors and new ports in a compact 3-foot length. The cable pairs a Lightning plug on one end with a USB-C plug on the other, allowing direct connection to USB-C power adapters and Thunderbolt 3/USB-C Macs for charging and syncing without a dongle.Apple lists the cable simply as USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m), sold individually in white.
Design, Connectors And Cable Length
The Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) is a male-to-male cable, with a USB-C connector on one side and an Apple Lightning connector on the other, built for charging, syncing and data transfer.Target specifies the connection type as USB-C and Lightning with male-to-male connectors. Apple states that the cable length is 1 meter, which is approximately 3 feet, making it suitable for desk use or bedside charging without excess slack.On the product page Apple calls out the length as 1 m, and retailers such as Target list it as 3 feet. The cable follows Apple’s familiar white finish, matching most Apple power adapters and accessories.
The construction is oriented toward everyday carry rather than heavy-duty industrial use. Staples notes that the Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable in 1 m length carries a one-year limited manufacturer warranty, indicating standard durability expectations for a consumer charging cable.Staples lists the cable as 3.3 feet (1 m) with USB Type-C and Lightning male connectors and a 1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty. In the box, Target confirms that buyers receive a single cable, with the power adapter sold separately, reinforcing that this is a standalone charging cord rather than a charger bundle.Target’s highlights section states that the box contains the Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) only, with the charging brick sold separately.
Charging Performance And Device Compatibility
Apple positions the USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) as a way to take advantage of fast charging on select iPhone and iPad models when used with higher-wattage USB-C power adapters.Apple explains that the cable can be paired with 18W, 20W, 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W or 96W USB-C Power Adapters to charge iOS devices and use fast-charging on select iPhone and iPad models. Target’s listing echoes this, calling the cable ideal for charging and syncing and noting that it supports fast charging when combined with appropriate USB-C bricks.Target’s Q&A responses state that the cable supports fast charging with a compatible 20W or 30W Apple charging brick and that the brick is not included. This makes the cable particularly useful for quickly topping up recent Lightning-based iPhones such as iPhone 8 and later when paired with a USB-C adapter capable of delivering higher wattage under the USB Power Delivery standard.
The cable is designed to connect iPhone, iPad or iPod devices that use a Lightning connector to USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 devices, including Macs with USB-C ports and iPads with USB-C charging.Apple describes the cable as allowing Lightning devices to connect to USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Macs for syncing and charging, as well as to USB-C enabled iPads for charging. Retail listings emphasize that the cable works not only with iPhones and iPads but also with Lightning-based accessories like AirPods charging cases, making it a general-purpose cord for users maintaining a set of Lightning hardware.Walmart describes the 1 m cable as compatible with iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11, X, XR, XS, 8 and older numbered iPhones, iPad models and AirPods. For owners of iPhone 15 and later, which use USB-C ports directly, the cable functions primarily as a legacy accessory for charging older devices or connecting Lightning accessories to newer USB-C chargers.
Pricing And Warranty In The US Market
In the United States, Apple currently lists the USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) at $19.00, positioning it as a mid-priced first-party cord among iPhone charging accessories.Apple’s Made by Apple cables overview shows the USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) at $19.00. The iPhone Lightning chargers category page also lists the same $19.00 price, reinforcing this as the standard direct price before discounts or retailer promotions.Apple’s Lightning chargers and adapters section displays USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) with a $19.00 price tag. At big-box retailers, the cable commonly appears at similar or slightly higher prices, with Target listing Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (1m) for $19.99 in the US.Target’s charging cables category shows Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (1m) at $19.99.
Discounts do appear at some mass merchants. Walmart, for instance, has featured the 1 m Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable reduced from a comparison price of $19.00 to about $14.57, reflecting occasional sale pricing in large retail channels.A Walmart listing shows the cable at $14.57 with a strikethrough reference of $19.00. Office-supply chains like Staples focus more on specifications and warranty than price, but their spec sheet confirms that the cable carries a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty, matching Apple’s typical accessory coverage.Staples lists a 1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty for the Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable. That warranty coverage offers some reassurance against early failure, though it does not extend to damage from misuse or heavy mechanical stress.
Comparison With Third-Party USB-C To Lightning Cables
The Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) competes with a wide range of third-party USB-C to Lightning cables, many of which advertise MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad) certification and fast-charging support. For example, mophie sells its own USB-C to Lightning Charge Cable (1M) that is MFi-certified and carries a two-year warranty, slightly longer than Apple’s one-year coverage.The mophie USB-C to Lightning Charge Cable (1M) is described as MFi-certified and backed by a two-year warranty. Some specialty brands also market rugged cables with aramid fiber reinforcement, touting additional durability compared with standard consumer cords.StarTech.com promotes a 1 m durable USB-C to Lightning cable with rugged construction and MFi certification. These alternatives often aim at users who prioritize heavy use or extended warranty, whereas Apple’s own cable emphasizes clean integration with official chargers and the Apple ecosystem.
Price comparisons are straightforward at the mainstream level. mophie’s 1 m USB-C to Lightning cable is listed at $19.95 on Apple’s US site, marginally higher than the $19.00 price of Apple’s cable, while other third-party cables can be found at lower price points through various retailers.Apple’s Lightning accessories page shows the mophie USB-C to Lightning cable (1M) at $19.95 alongside the Apple-branded cable at $19.00. For US buyers, the Apple cable trades off slightly shorter warranty and a basic flexible design against the assurance of using an official Apple-branded accessory and the convenience of buying in an Apple Store or at major retailers with familiar support channels.
Use Case, Limitations And Where It Fits Today
Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) is most useful for US users who still rely on Lightning-based iPhones, iPads, AirPods and other accessories and who have moved their chargers or computers to USB-C ports. The cable enables them to connect directly to modern USB-C power adapters rated from 18W up to 96W and to USB-C laptops without carrying older USB-A bricks or adapter dongles, while still supporting fast charging on compatible devices.Apple lists compatibility with its 18W, 20W, 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W and 96W USB-C Power Adapters. The main limitation is that it does not serve USB-C-native iPhones such as iPhone 15, which charge via USB-C directly, making the cable primarily a bridge product for legacy devices rather than a future-proof accessory.
Within the broader category of charging cables, the 1 m Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable occupies a standard length and price band, offering official Apple branding and integration at about $19 while third-party MFi cables offer different trade-offs in warranty, durability and price. For US owners of Lightning-based equipment, it remains a practical choice for maintaining fast, reliable charging and data transfer as more chargers and computers transition fully to USB-C.
Official Specs And Ordering For Apple USB-C To Lightning Cable 1 m
Apple’s US accessories store provides the definitive specifications, supported power adapter list and current pricing for the USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m).
Key Facts For Apple USB-C To Lightning Cable (1 m)
- Product: Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m), MUQ93AM/A
- Manufacturer: Apple Inc., One Apple Park Way, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA
- Category: Charging cable (USB-C to Lightning)
- Cable length: 1 m (3 ft)
- Connectors: USB-C male to Lightning male
- Compatible power adapters: 18W, 20W, 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W, 96W Apple USB-C Power Adapters
- Warranty: 1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty
- Price: $19.00 (as of 09/16/2026)
- Target audience: US users with Lightning-based iPhone, iPad and accessories using USB-C chargers or Macs
