Using my Earpods on an airplane?

Hi all,

After 20+ years as an andriod user I switched to Apple for my first Iphone, a iphone 16, and I really like it! I purchased the Earpods with the USB-c connector and like the sound.


Is there an dongle or some sort of adapter that will let be use my Earpods with the USB-c connector on an airplane entertainment system using a 3.5mm plug? It would also let me use my android tablet which has the 3.5mm plug.

The one Apple has is exactly opposite to what I need.

I'd like to cut down on packing extras, and still be able to use my Iphone 16 for music and such.

iPhone 16, iOS 18

Posted on Sep 1, 2025 9:50 AM

Reply
8 replies

Sep 2, 2025 9:15 AM in response to Gramps-47

Consider that EarPods with a 3.5mm plug are designed to work with a simple analogue electrical connection that directly drives the EarPods.


By contrast, USB-C is a digital connection - that takes its input from the digital audio stream that is output from a compatible audio source. USB-C EarPods incorporate a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter), this being a tiny chip that converts the digital audio to the analogue signal that you hear.


For this reason, you cannot directly connect USB-C EarPods to a 3.5mm audio connection. What you can do is use a suitable Adapter to convert a USB-C digital connection to a 3.5mm analogue audio connection - to which you connect "basic" analogue EarPods or similar headphones. The Adapter includes the DAC that performs the magic:


  • Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MW2Q3ZM/A



In summary:

  • You can connect [basic] analogue EarPods or headphones to a digital audio source using a suitable Adapter - the Adapter converting the digital audio to analogue and providing the electrical connection for the EarPods/headphones analogue connection.
  • You can't connect EarPods, that are designed to directly connect to a digital audio source, to an analogue signal.

Sep 2, 2025 9:38 AM in response to LotusPilot

Corollary:


DAC Adapters are available in a wide choice of price-points and quality, the more expensive supporting hi-resolution digital audio formats. The Apple Adapter is good quality - and is low cost - but doesn't support the more exotic hi-res audio formats.


The vast majority of end-users that are using EarPods are not Audiophiles; for these Users the Apple Adapter is more than adequate.

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Using my Earpods on an airplane?

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