Lightning to USB camera adapter stopped working after update to iOS 26

For the past years I have been using a iPhone 12 Mini together with a Lightning-to-USB camera adapter (Original Apple) alongside with a sound card (TC Helicon Play Acoustic Live) to record the audio output of my live music shows. It worked perfectly fine. Reliably with great sound quality.


That was until iOS26.


Now, my sound card is recognised in some apps - which SEE the device and name it correctly - but can't seem to access the audio stream any more, so either crash or not work at all! Any attempts to record result in crashes. I have used multiple audio tools trying to record:


  • Apple Camera - in video mode: focuses and defocuses every second.
  • Recorder - "ERROR. The operation couldn't be completed. (PCMRecorder.PCMError error 1.)"
  • Ferrite - names device correctly. No signal when starting recording.
  • Blackmagic Cam - video recording becomes stuttery. No signal
  • Rode Reporter - no signal
  • Rode Rec Le - doesn't start recording
  • MOTIV Audio - app crashing


Have there been any changes made in iOS that might block external devices? Privat Relay is deactivated. All cables and devices I have still used without issue last week (before updating) are are all identical.


I have tried the following without effect:

  • Rebooted the iPhone
  • Exchanged the USB cable


Is there anything you would suggest to make it work again? Or could I maybe send a log-file through to investigate if there is an incompatibility with the device?


Thank you.

iPhone 12 mini, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 1, 2025 4:14 AM

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6 replies

Oct 1, 2025 8:42 AM in response to jumueller

In addition to the main post:


GarageBand also crashes when using my USB audio interface on iPhone 12 mini running iOS 26.


I have also updated to iOS 26.0.1 without effect.


I tested the same interface on another iPhone 12 with iOS 26, with identical results.


After analyzing a sysdiagnose log, it seems the problem is related to device initialization and iOS Accessory-Policy. The system process audioaccessoryd sees the device but cannot start the audio stream, likely due to stricter accessory checks in iOS 26 (power negotiation, thread throttling, and first-time device authorization).


This issue does not appear to be a hardware fault, since the interface works on iOS 18 and on computers.

Oct 1, 2025 11:49 AM in response to jumueller

It’s possible the older adapter is no longer compliant with newer standards. You’ll need to talk to Apple Support and confirm the adapter is still supported and then discuss the situation with the support specialist. If you’re in the US please call  1-800-MY-APPLE or outside the US, consult the support articles below. In Canada call 1-800-263-3394


Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support


Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple



Oct 1, 2025 11:33 AM in response to Jeff Donald

It's the original Apple A1440 Lightning To USB Camera Adapter. The cable from the soundcard is a standard USB-A to Mini-USB. Worked well before. And still works when connecting the unit to a PC.


A forced restart was the first thing I have done. Didn't change a thing. And as mentioned even tried on a second iPhone with iOS 26, who showed the exact same problems. Must be something software related. It worked smooth for the past 3 years I had the phone.


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Lightning to USB camera adapter stopped working after update to iOS 26

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