How to use old iphone-to-USB A cable with new iPhone (USB-C)

Having gotten all the cables / adapters, etc. over the years for our old phones, now, having gotten new iPhones that all have USB-C, is there any way to make use of the old cables that connected to our phones (6S and 5S) that have USB-A endings? At the very least, I'd need a USB-A to USB-C for the one end, but then what about the other end? Is there something that would convert the part that goes into the old iphone to another adapter of some sort that would connect to the new phone? Beginning to wonder if it'd be better to deem the old cables as now being obsolete and just buy more USB-C to USB-C. I also still have Anker cables that are used to charge a phone into an older car's power port. One of those, however, only had a USB-A input, so, again, I'd need an A to C adapter. This is madness....and probably the main reason I keep older gear until it no longer works or falls apart! Planned obsolescence on the part of the industry to get you to buy new stuff all the time.

iPhone 6s, iOS 15

Posted on May 28, 2025 7:30 AM

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May 28, 2025 7:34 AM in response to three4rd

This is madness....and probably the main reason I keep older gear until it no longer works or falls apart! Planned obsolescence on the part of the industry to get you to buy new stuff all the time.


The USB-C thing was an edict from the European Union. See:


Newsweekwww.newsweek.com › usb-c-charger-rules-europeThe EU finally has a common charger for all devices. Will the ...

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May 28, 2025 7:50 AM in response to three4rd

Actually, Apple was the last to the USB C party. It's not planned obsolescence at all. Technology continues to move forward. And as Allan Jones correct suggests the European Union made it law that ALL tech products sold in the EU be USB C. I'm actually very happy they did. I have been using other USB C products for the last few years and this uncomplicates my like by making things uniform across different platforms.


That said, if you want to use the Lightning cables you already have, you can purchase Lightning to USB C adapters. Amazon has many choices --: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lightning+to+usb+c+adapter


I'm assuming you still have charging plugs which are USB A? Personally, given that cables aren't really very expensive, I'd retire the outdate Lightning cables and buy more USB C to USB C cables if I needed them.

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May 28, 2025 8:42 AM in response to three4rd

Anker is highly regarded around here and I have several cables from them. I didn't realize you weren't aware of the lightning end on your previous cables and yes, the adapters I linked would have worked for you. But newer, more modern cables will be better overall.


And you're welcome.

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May 28, 2025 8:25 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Lobsterghost: Thanks for the reply. I admittedly have never heard of a "lightning" cord or adapter, but what I just did is went on Anker and ordered several USB-C to USB-A cables, which will allow me to use the USB-A power blocks that I already have, and also one of the cables will work for the one car charger we have that only has USB-A. The newest one I bought as both A and C inputs. Obviously, I'm talking about cars that were made long before anyone ever heard of USB anything! I will say one thing, though, in that I think USB-C to A adapters and cables are likely going to be around for awhile yet because of the travel industry, where many hotel rooms now offer the lamps, etc. that have USB-A charging ports.

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May 28, 2025 8:32 AM in response to three4rd

My bad...so it turns out that "lightning" cables are what came with my old phones. Somewhere along the way I must have never heard the term. So, yeah, all I would have needed is a few of those instead of getting C to A cables. Can't hurt to have both since we also pack phone gear and accessories for travel.

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How to use old iphone-to-USB A cable with new iPhone (USB-C)

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