Did anyone else's new iphone 15 come with a USB C to lightning cable instead of USB C to USB C??

Yes, the cable that would come with the iPhone 15 series should be a USB-C to USB-C charging cable. As such, AT&T should resolve this for you by providing you with the correct cable.

Is it possible that Apple shipped a phone with the wrong cable. Maybe, but very unlikely. One thing to take into consideration is that AT&T, like any cellular provider, are reselling phones that they either purchase directly from their respective manufactures, or reselling them from trade-ins that have been refurbished.

I would suspect that refurbished iPhone 15s would be somewhat rare at this point in time, but it may be possible. As such, it may be the case where the original packing was opened, and the wrong cable placed inside before it was resealed. Only speculating at this point.

I finally found a “specialist” to speak with at ATT. When I told him about info I received on this Apple forum concerning the proper cord that is sent out with this phone he was happy to exchange the phone free of charge. Time will tell if I get an authentic new phone, the cord tells all! Thanks everyone!

I just transferred service to ATT, part of promotion was a trade of my iphone13 to a iPhone 15. Received a usb-c/lightening cord in the box. Called Apple support asking “what do I do with this thing?” He says your phone is refurbished! ATT denies it says all iPhone 15’s come with that cord now and I am supposed to buy an adapter!!! Something is wrong! Att would only offer sending a new phone by charging a restocking fee of $55! I might as well buy a usb-c cord on Amazon for less than $10.

As others have said this is a travesty that we pay this much for phones and we no longer get charging blocks etc. Keep you Apple decals that I never use and give me the right charging equipment!

Apple and ATT need to collaborate and at least get their stories straight.

BTW55 wrote:

I just transferred service to ATT, part of promotion was a trade of my iphone13 to a iPhone 15. Received a usb-c/lightening cord in the box. Called Apple support asking “what do I do with this thing?” He says your phone is refurbished! ATT denies it says all iPhone 15’s come with that cord now and I am supposed to buy an adapter!!! Something is wrong! Att would only offer sending a new phone by charging a restocking fee of $55! I might as well buy a usb-c cord on Amazon for less than $10.

As others have said this is a travesty that we pay this much for phones and we no longer get charging blocks etc. Keep you Apple decals that I never use and give me the right charging equipment!

Apple and ATT need to collaborate and at least get their stories straight.

All iPhone 15’s come with a USB-C to USB-C cable from the factory. So clearly you did not get a new, factory packaged iPhone 15. But this is between you and AT&T, there is nothing that Apple can do.

BTW55 wrote:

I finally found a “specialist” to speak with at ATT. When I told him about info I received on this Apple forum concerning the proper cord that is sent out with this phone he was happy to exchange the phone free of charge. Time will tell if I get an authentic new phone, the cord tells all! Thanks everyone!

Glad to hear that AT&T is sending you the right cord!

This may be old news but this is what I have learned. New phones such as the 15 come with the usb c at both ends. That is the correct cord. The issue many have had is that ordering from cell providers is risky because you may be getting a trade in/refurbished phone. Mine included a cord but it was a usb-c/lightening. That is a tell-tale of a refurbished phone.

Hi theconfusedcatz,

Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities! We would recommend contacting the place of purchase directly, in this case AT&T for questions about your order. Please reach out direct using the link below:

AT&T Customer Service

Hope this helps!

Have a great day.

BTW55 wrote:

I just transferred service to ATT, part of promotion was a trade of my iphone13 to a iPhone 15. Received a usb-c/lightening cord in the box. Called Apple support asking “what do I do with this thing?” He says your phone is refurbished! ATT denies it says all iPhone 15’s come with that cord now and I am supposed to buy an adapter!!! Something is wrong! Att would only offer sending a new phone by charging a restocking fee of $55! I might as well buy a usb-c cord on Amazon for less than $10.

As others have said this is a travesty that we pay this much for phones and we no longer get charging blocks etc. Keep you Apple decals that I never use and give me the right charging equipment!

Apple and ATT need to collaborate and at least get their stories straight.

That sounds very frustrating. But, this is an issue between you and AT&T. You didn't buy the phone from Apple.

I did initially and they told me to contact Apple. Glad I came to this forum because I found out information on refurbished phones packed with wrong cords. With this information I was able to contact ATT and have a better defense for my issue. I’m getting a new phone! Thanks everyone!

If you purchased this iPhone, directly from Apple, you were informed BEFORE you made that purchase what comes "in the box" with this phone. It does tells you that it comes with a USB-C charging cable. No mention about it coming with a power adapter. You can verify this yourself by going to the online Apple Store and start the ordering process (without obligation) for an iPhone 15 Pro Max. There you will see the following image:

Thus, if you are unsatisfied with your purchase, you have 15 days from the date of purchase to return the phone for a complete refund.

I would actually check in the package on what is supposed to be in the box. If that is not the case , contact the company you got it from which should handle it immediately.

Fine, but for most people, myself included, when we order a cheeseburger at a restaurant we’ve been going to for a decade, we expect it to come with fries. We’re so familiar with the menu that we don’t notice a subtle (& honestly INTENTIONALLY SNEAKY) change to where the “comes with fries” part is suddenly omitted. We find only after the meal is served, & the restaurant has their defense built in where they can say “well it doesn’t say on the menu that it comes with fries.”

An omission is better for them than a notice that hey, if you want fries, please let us know. That is now extra. They want you to order & pay the same amount while getting less in return. The same is true with Apple. We all know it.

The main issue I have is that Apple had the audacity to state that the reason for no longer including power adapters (AKA bricks) was to reduce packaging & help the environment because so many people already chargers. Providing them at that point was largely redundant & wasteful.

But then you change the power connection to USB C…& that BS excuse goes right out the window. All of a sudden, you have people with new phone, a power cord, but USELESS BRICKS & NO WAY TO CHARGE THEIR PHONES.

Sure, they covered their butts by showing on the box that only the phone & cord were included, but they (as you do) know full well this is a rigged game. They did it to save money, they did it knowing many people would be in a bind & more focused on trying to choose which of the 4 new models to purchase & simply wouldn’t notice the omission. They didn’t care.

Stop being a smarty pants & try being more understanding.

odette182 wrote:

Apple why do you treat your customers like that.

I called Fido and ask why no adapter in the box. My phone battery is dying and it’s 9pm. Sad but

its a sneaky way of having us spend more money on product.

Why send the half the charging device and keep the other half. Doesn’t make sense at all. And no use to customer like me who’s been with the company for years. If you can’t send everything, don’t send any at all.

Am soo disappointed.

FIRST: This is a user to user forum. Apple will not see your post.

It has been 5 years since Apple included a power source, because EVERYONE (even you) have drawers full of unused USB power sources, and they can all be used. And Apple isn’t alone: NO smartphones come with power sources anymore, because there are so many choices of a power source, everyone has a different idea of what kind to get.

See this Apple support article→About Apple USB power adapters for information on power sources for charging your Apple device.

Quoting that article:

As part of our efforts to reach our environmental goals, iPhone models no longer include a power adapter in the box. iPhone continues to work with existing power adapters and USB-A to Lightning cables, such as those included in prior models. iPhone models now include in the box a newer USB‑C to Lightning cable that supports fast charging and is compatible with USB‑C power adapters and computer ports that you might already have. You can use either a USB-A to Lightning cable or the newer USB-C to Lightning cable with your iPhone.

They had to comply with EU regulations and they were already on the road to Type-C charging just take a look at the iPad Pro from 2019 and the current iPad models and AirPods they are all type c to make it more convenient. If it was up to them I honestly think that they would have stayed with the Light info connector

I purchased 2 IPhone 15 plus phones One came with a charging cable one had no cable whatsoever brand new unopened boxes WIERD Purchased from VERIZON