USB-C to Lightning adapter

I looked for you, but didn't find any solution that would work. I suspect it would be easier to move to Bluetooth headphones or simply headphones with a standard 3.5mm headphone plug for your new iPad.

With the recent change from Lightning to USB-C, it is likely that third-party manufacturers will be doing everything possible to avoid using Lightning.

To use Lightning, legally, the interface is licenced for the [Apple Approved] product - and then for every individual device manufactured with the Lightning connector an additional royalty fee is paid.

Back to the OPs question - whilst ignoring the cost of licences/royalties, it might be worth considering the technical complexities of why such an interface device is unlikely to ever be developed...

The 2018 iPad Pro has an industry standard USB-C interface that also supports USB PD. To adapt this interface to a Lightning connector, an active USB-C/Lightning interface-converter must be placed in-line, to perform both electrical and protocol conversion, prior to the physical Lightning connector pins. Connected to this additional Lightning connector will be another Lightning device (and active interface) that intercepts digital audio - and via a DAC produces analogue audio:

USB-C <-> Interface Converter <-> Lightning Connector (F) <<-> Lightning Connector (M) <-> DAC/Analogue Amp <-> EarBud

Compare this to the much simpler “supported” configuration:

USB-C <-> Interface Converter/DAC/Analogue Amp <-> EarBud

I’m not suggesting that it will never happen, but given the cost and unnecessary/avoidable complexity for a potentially tiny customer pool, a manufacturer is unlikely to see any return on the design, tooling and firmware development costs.

stoian22

I have some news for you - but I’d be careful about getting too excited until (if) this is actually launched and available to buy; so many promising products end-up being nothing more than “vapourware”.

It is rumoured [Source: ZDNet] that Anker has something interesting that might appear in the next few months - specifically, the first ever USB-C to Lightning audio adapter for those who don’t like (or are unable) to use Bluetooth headphones. The USB-C to Lightning audio adapter will apparently allow iPhone users to conveniently use Apple Lightning headphones on Macs with USB-C ports, along with the latest iPad Pro.

So, your wish might yet be granted 🙂

Apologize. To the OP, if you buy standard headphones with 3.5mm plug, you need this adapter. Other way, get bluetooth headphones.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MU7E2AM/A/usb-c-to-35-mm-headphone-jack-adapter

I apologize to you. My bad! Apparently, I somehow misunderstood, and did not use the right words. I also found out right information later.☺️

No problem. I am not immune to misunderstanding a post and sticking my foot in my mouth!

Sorry, but you’ll not be able to use your lightning-connector devices with your USB-C equipped iPad.

Apple Lightning is an both a proprietary physical connector and proprietary interface standard. As active protocol conversion would have to be performed between USB-C and Lighning, you cannot use a simple “cable adapter” as this conversion is not a simple electrical/physical translation. At this time, there are no known manufacturers of such an interface converter. If such a device were ever to be developed, it would have to be licenced by Apple.

Sorry - but your only options are to use

• a bluetooth headset - e.g., AirPods

• a 3.5mm plug-type with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter (this contains the necessary interface components and internal DAC)

• a USB-C hub with 3.5mm jack

• USB-C headphones (also contain necessary interface components and internal DAC)

Hope you find this helpful.

I know that. I own iPad Pro 11. I don't need to apologize at all to the OP as Apple does offer a USB C to 3.5mm headphone jack and that was what I was suggesting. Get a traditional heaphone and use that connector or go Bluetooth,. What Apple doesn't, nor could I find elsewhere is a Male USB C to Female Lightning adapter suitable for headphones.

I'm not sure why you felt you needed to correct me, but you did for some reason.

The cable you illustrate is intended to connect an iPad/iPhone (a “USB client” device) to a PC/Mac (a host controller). The cable also provides a connection for power over USB/Lightning, such that an iPad can be charged from a USB-C charger brick.

This illustrated cable does not contain the DAC (Digital to Analogue converter) and analogue amplifier necessary to drive a set of analogue headphones. By comparison, these components are built-in to the device-specific Lightning-plug of your existing Apple EarPods.

Apple (and some third-party manufacturers) do make a small Lightning female-to-female adaptor for charging the first-generation Apple Pencil. However, these adapters only contain a simple pass-through power connection for charging purposes - they do not include any active interface-conversion electronics.

Another suggestion, since very few people come here looking for a cable to convert Lightning to USB C (hence why there aren't many if any commercial options out there) would be to reach out to the headphone manufacturer to see if they have considered offering a cable to help you. The vast majority of users have headphones with traditional headphone jacks (which Apple clearly offers a solution for) or have moved on to Bluetooth headphones, like I did a few years ago.