Lightninig to 30-pin Adapter not compatible with many/most cases

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Level 1

21 points

Lightninig to 30-pin Adapter not compatible with many/most cases

When I searched the communities I didn't find this subject clearly stated. So.... For those interested in using their old iPhone accessories with the iPhone 5, be aware that the Lightninig to 30-pin Adapter seats flush to the bottom of the phone. This means it covers up some of the microphone & speaker holes and will only work with cases that expose a very large portion of the bottom of the phone. For those like me who already have a case that has an individual opening for the lightning connector, this apdater won't work. I'm going to have to exchange this thing for the adapter that has a cable. FYI.

iPhone 5, iOS 6

Posted on Oct 11, 2012 2:27 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 11, 2012 8:27 PM in response to EDG55

Ditto here. My sister made the decision to go with the 5 rather than the 4S as she thought she could use all of her existing cables. This adapter does not work with the case on the phone.

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Answer 2

Oct 12, 2012 9:54 AM in response to EDG55

I also have the same issue. I have a non-apple bumper cover on the 5, the apple 30pin to lightning will not work with the cover as it isn't long enough to reach through the cover and it covers much of the bottom of the phone as stated above.

Things like iHomes and Bose systems with docks are not very condusive to using the cable versus the adapter.

Very poor design at any price, I'm extremely disappointed in it for $29.00.

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Answer 3

Oct 12, 2012 11:31 AM in response to EDG55

same here - I had purchased 4 of the connectors and will be returning ALL of them - I found a Bluetooth device on Kickstarter that will attach to my 30 pin devices (Sony, iHome, etc) and I'll just use that technology instead. This is like iPhone 101 folks - unsure why we reverted back to connectors that won't attach to phones with cases!

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Answer 4

EDG55 Author

Level 1

21 points

Oct 12, 2012 2:20 PM in response to EDG55

The funny thing is that on Apple's Developer site they've got a drawing for case manufacturers that specifies a Lightning connector opening that does not support their own adapter. Strange...

https://developer.apple.com/resources/cases/dimensions/iPhone-5-dimensions.pdf

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Answer 5

EDG55 Author

Level 1

21 points

Oct 17, 2012 9:41 AM in response to EDG55

So I received my Lightning to 30-pin Adapter cable only to find that it doesn't work with my case either. The Lightning connector on this cable is considerably larger than the one on the Lightning to USB Cable that comes with the phone. It won't fit through the opening in my Belkin Grip Candy Case.

I measured the Lightning connector on this cable & it is within the size specified on Apple's iPhone 5 dimensioned drawing. So the fault lies with Belkin in this situation for not complying with Apple's case specification for the size of the connector opening.

Depending on what you want to be able to plug into your iPhone 5 while it's in a case, I recommend you try it out before purchasing the case. FYI.

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Answer 6

Oct 17, 2012 9:47 AM in response to EDG55

I just got my adapter(s) today too and just discovered that it's not compatible with the iSkin iPhone 5 cover I have 😟 This is very disapointing.. I'm guessing I'll have to return it as I don't want to have to remove my case every time I was to use one my accessories. (like in my car and my dock speakers)

can somebody recomment a good alternative? Somebody mentioned a bluetooth adapter?

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Answer 7

Oct 17, 2012 9:59 AM in response to EDG55

Success - I have found a case that works well with the poorly designed connector... check out the 'nude' case from Switcheasy. My case fits perfectly. The phone locks in to place, however the conentor itself isn't the most stable. http://www.switcheasy.com/product/NUDE_iPhone5

Hope that helps you all.

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Answer 8

bluztoo

Level 1

88 points

Oct 25, 2012 5:33 AM in response to EDG55

I noticed they turned the review option off (or never had it on) for this adapter. That's just wrong because people should know that the

Lightning to 30-pin Adapter

does not work with cases - okay so somebody found some kind of case where it works but I have a very slim case, so trust me, it most likely won't work with yours. Upsetting - I'm returning the product. I'm not just a classic whiner because I praise stuff here in the forums too - but I thought these folks were known for "design." Looks like Ives and others could pay some attention to the small stuff. This blows.

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Answer 9

Oct 25, 2012 5:42 AM in response to bluztoo

I returned the 2 I orderred with no issues. I ended up orderring the adapter with the short cable as its compatible with any case. No need to customize!

I can't believe how much they are charging for these adapters!

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Answer 10

EDG55 Author

Level 1

21 points

Oct 25, 2012 6:56 AM in response to JohnnyG76

"I ended up orderring the adapter with the short cable as its compatible with any case."

I wouldn't assume that. As I found out with Belkin's Grip Candy Case that's not always true. The opening for the Lightning connector on that case is too small for the connector on the end of the adapter with the cable. FYI.

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