How do I connect my new iPhone 15 Pro to DAC?

The port is configured for USB C analog devices unless you go to USB Audio Accessories and choose "Forget All USB Audio Accessories" and then re-insert your DAC or dongle and DO NOT choose "headphones". When it prompts, choose "Other". Outputs digital for DACs, Apples $9 dongle, etc.

Was driving me crazy until I figured that out - it's still nuts how Apple tries to over-simplify this and for me extra nuts as I came from Android which gives you insight and extensive control over the USB C port. But it works now...

It appears that digital output no longer works on iPhone 15. I have iPhone 15 Pro Max, and I’ve tried it with both the Apple USB-C/USB-A adapter, and Apple USB-C/Multi-AV adapter that I use with my iPad Pro. I’ve also tried it with 3 different DAC/Amps and in all cases the iPhone treats them as a USB headphone, so it is outputting analog signal. It shows a headphone icon and volume setting is with iPhone.

I’ve opened a ticket with Apple Support. If you’re experiencing the same, please open a ticket, otherwise, would appreciate it if you state here how you got this to work for you.

Settings->Sounds & Haptics->Headphone Safety->USB Audio Accessories->Forget All USB Audio Accessories

I have tried numerous OTG cables/dongles on the iPhone 15 Pro and various settings but to no avail. It still comes up as “Wired Headphones” which implies it isn’t picking up the DAC (Hidizs S9 Pro), even though it’s 24bit/192kHz output.

Strangely, on the iPhone X it recognised the output device and the LED colour (blue for 24bit/192kHz and green for up to 24bit/96kHz).

Apple, sort it out!

I have tried everything too, I can get audio out on 2 external DACs, but they are not playing in their highest quality, the DAC color on the lights on the firefly and ifi go confirm they are not playing at the highest quality format, and Amazon Music also shows and confirms this. The Amazon music app shows the tracks quality and dacs capable quality and shows the iPhone is lower then Both! Please fix Apple! Works fine on my iPhone 12 but not iPhone 15 !!!

My DAC (SMSL SU-6) has USB C in. (i) Connect iPhone 15 to DAC via USB C to USB C cable. Nothing happens - DAC not recognized at all. (ii) Use existing Camera Kit (which is working with iPod Touch) via Lightning to USB C Dongle. "Device not supported" message. (iii) (After "forget all USB devices" in Setting and choose Other Device when it's first time connected) Use non-Apple USB C hub (mine is Anker 6-in-1 with PD) via USB A to USB C cable provided with DAC, plugged into one of USB A port on the hub. IT WORKED! This set up can also charge iPhone while you play music. Note Music App still shows "Headphone" mark but if you go into choose device mode, it does mention "SMSL..." instead of "iPhone". Spent hours on this so I hope this will help who has been struggling this issue like me. I know USB C hub is not so cheap but still less expensive than Apple AV Adaptor (which I don't know if it works or not).

I used the Apple USB C to USB (full size) adapter or dongle. It works. The DAC plays as usual. I have Apple Music and Tidal on this phone and it works normal. No hiccups. The only cons is I can’t charge the phone at the same time. Where as on the previous iphone, the Lightning camera adapter allows the phone to be charged. I also bought the USB C to Lightning adapter so I can plug the Lightning camera adapter but it doesn’t work. Not compatible with accesory the phone says. My DAC is SMSL.

If you don’t see “forget” option, I think you can skip this step as the DAC has never been recognized by iPhone. Did you use USB C hub instead of directly connecting by USB cable?

I worked it out!

I was fooling around with it and if you go to the Audio section, turn on “Send to HDMI”, it’ll work without having to click other when first plugged in :-)

Welcome,

Dave

Turn on “Send to HDMI” and it’ll work without the need to use the “other” options suggested by others.

Refer to attached screenshot.

Not a tech guy and amazed I worked something out lol.

Cheers,

Dave

You can get the USB C to USB connector or dongle and then plug the dac’s USB cable to it. Can’t charge the phone simultaneously. Maybe with a wireless charger. There’s another adapter with USB C , hdmi, USB. Expensive though.

I have a similar issue on my iPhone SE Gen 3. I have been using on previous iPhones and still use on iPod Touches, a Meenova Lightning to Micro USB Smart Cable to connect these devices to a Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Digital to Analogue Converter/headphone amplifier to play from the Music App. It appears as if there is no longer any digital PCM audio stream from these phones, which are about the same generation as the iPhone 15 above. Why does Apple keep disabling things that people use, for no apparent good reason. I have not tried with the Camera adapter as yet to see if that is a work around but from the above posts, I suspect that will not work either. Luckily I have an excellent pair of Sony WH-1000XM4 bluetooth wireless phones I can use but I would prefer to use my expensive Hugo 2. I suppose the next thing is we will lose the PCM streams from laptops, thereby making all of my expensive Benchmark Media DAC's into paperweights.

Update: As expected Apple Camera adapter does not help - still no digital Audio Output from iPhone SE-3 on OS 17.3.1

I have the ifi I go blu DAC. New iPhone 15, never connected analogue headphones, plugged in usb c it asked me what device chose other, I’m getting sparkly digital out. Settings - sound and haptics - headphone safety - USB audio accessories are there. I have ‘forget’ and a toggle for analogue headphones. Works great.

This worked, however, I had to deselect the option "Connect to headphones".