AirPod Max Lossless Audio via Lightning-to-USB-C Connection

benfozard wrote:

I've not got this to work yet. I updated to 18.4 on my iPhone 13 Pro Max and the AirPod Max's updated their firmware. After the update my phone popped up saying it supports lossless over USB-C (see screenshot), but it doesn't work. I've tried the supplied Airpod Max USB-C to USB-C cable with multiple USB-C to lightening adaptors into the phone. I've also tried with a brand new USB-C to lightening cable from Apple and also doesn't work. Plugging the Airpod Max's into my Mac with USB-C to USB-C cable works fine though and says it's using lossless over USB.

I appreciate the iPhone 13 Pro (Max) does not have USB-C connection, but there's no reason it shouldn't work, especially when it popped up to say it was now available. I am hoping the answer is a USB-C to lightening adaptor that works with this. Apple do not sell one themselves. I actually just bought this brand new pair of Airpod Max's for the lossless feature!

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/0f4f0aa2-de7f-49d4-9884-2bec324b952f

It seems pretty self explanatory. If it said USB C to Lightning, then yes, it would likely work. But Apple said USB C to USB C, so it likely won't work.

We're just users here on this user to user only forum. If you want to confirm with Apple directly, contact Apple Support. If you're in the US, you can call Apple at: 800-MY-APPLE. I feel pretty certain they'll tell you you need an iPhone with USB C, which you don't have. USB C can transfer more data at faster speeds than is possible with Lightning.

benfozard wrote:

I agree, but a few things also contradict that. One, why does my iPhone 13 keep popping up saying it supports lossless audio since updating to 18.4? Two, on a Mac it works with an adaptor too (USB-A to USB-C), so it shows it’s not restricted to and supports none USB-C to USB-C connections to enable it. Thirdly, the bandwidth for lossless audio is not massive and a lightning connector would not struggle with it - so there’s no technical reason would not work. I guess my point is, there’s likely a bug here or they’ve just decision not to enable it in older phones. I guess my reason for posting here was to see if anyone had found an adaptor that this worked with.

I can't answer your questions. We are not Apple Support here. This is totally a user to user only forum. To get direct answers from Apple, you need to ask them. And I provided a number (in the US) to do just that.

Do read this as it may provide some help --> About lossless audio in Apple Music - Apple Support

Only certain Apple devices support the lossless USB-C out. Probably only the ones with a built-in USB-C port.

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I've not got this to work yet. I updated to 18.4 on my iPhone 13 Pro Max and the AirPod Max's updated their firmware. After the update my phone popped up saying it supports lossless over USB-C (see screenshot), but it doesn't work. I've tried the supplied Airpod Max USB-C to USB-C cable with multiple USB-C to lightening adaptors into the phone. I've also tried with a brand new USB-C to lightening cable from Apple and also doesn't work. Plugging the Airpod Max's into my Mac with USB-C to USB-C cable works fine though and says it's using lossless over USB.

I appreciate the iPhone 13 Pro (Max) does not have USB-C connection, but there's no reason it shouldn't work, especially when it popped up to say it was now available. I am hoping the answer is a USB-C to lightening adaptor that works with this. Apple do not sell one themselves. I actually just bought this brand new pair of Airpod Max's for the lossless feature!

I agree, but a few things also contradict that. One, why does my iPhone 13 keep popping up saying it supports lossless audio since updating to 18.4? Two, on a Mac it works with an adaptor too (USB-A to USB-C), so it shows it’s not restricted to and supports none USB-C to USB-C connections to enable it. Thirdly, the bandwidth for lossless audio is not massive and a lightning connector would not struggle with it - so there’s no technical reason would not work. I guess my point is, there’s likely a bug here or they’ve just decision not to enable it in older phones. I guess my reason for posting here was to see if anyone had found an adaptor that this worked with.