Wondering what cable and power adapter you need to use to charge your iPhone? Here's a simple guide to explain exactly what you need to know.

When you buy a new iPhone these days, you won't find a power adapter inside the box. This isn't an issue if you have one already, but it can be frustrating when you realize your old one isn't compatible. Buying a pre-loved iPhone often means you won't get a cable or a power adapter, and cables often break, too.

So if you're wondering which cable and power adapter your iPhone needs, check out the guide below.

There are several points to think about when you're replacing your iPhone's power cable or adapter. Firstly, you need to take note of the charging port your iPhone uses. Recent iPhones use a Lightning port, while older ones had a 30-pin port. The non-phone end of the cable will be either a USB-A connector (commonly called a USB), or a more modern and smaller USB-C connector. This is the end that connects to the power adapter, your car, computer, or any other accessory.

Using a USB-C to Lightning cable will charge your iPhone much faster than the USB-A to Lightning counterpart, so if you want your iPhone to charge quickly, it's worth considering upgrading your cable and power adapter to USB-C. You can also opt for wireless charging on the more recent iPhone models, which is more convenient, though it's not as fast as a USB-C to Lightning cable.

Older iPhones came with either a 30-pin to USB cable, or a Lightning to USB cable and a USB power adapter. Newer iPhones don't include a power adapter but still come supplied with a Lightning to USB-C cable. This means you may have to buy your own USB-C power adapter to charge your new iPhone.

You may also need to buy a new cable if the one that comes with your iPhone doesn't match the power adapter you already have.

If you're not sure which cable type your iPhone needs, check out the list below to find out which connector type is compatible with your iPhone model. Once you've found this information, be sure to double-check the cable you buy, to make sure it fits the power adapter you already have.

The Lightning connector is a small connection port, which is used with all current iPhone models. The Lightning connector cable can connect your iPhone to your power adapter, computer, car, and some accessories.

The following iPhones came supplied with a USB-A to Lightning cable and a 5 Watt USB Power Adapter:

You can buy like-for-like when replacing your iPhone cables or power adapters. Alternatively, you can opt to upgrade to USB-C to Lightning cables and adapters, instead.

Related: What is a Lightning Connector and Cable?

The following iPhones also have a Lightning port, but these iPhone models came with a USB‑C to Lightning cable, and no power adapter:

If you were surprised to open your new iPhone and find the charging cable didn't fit your existing power adapter, you have two choices. You can either purchase a USB-C power adapter to use with the supplied lead, for faster charging, or you can use your old USB-A to Lightning cables and power adapters.

The original 30-pin iPhone port was used from 2007 to 2012, and it was only available with a USB-A cable, as USB-C hadn't yet been introduced.

The following iPhones use a 30-pin port and need a 30-pin to USB cable:

Many newer iPhones also support wireless charging, although you don't get a wireless charger included with them. Wireless charging is convenient, but it is not as fast as a Lightning to USB-C cable.

MagSafe has been built into iPhones since the iPhone 12. MagSafe is a magnetic invention from Apple, which was incorporated into the iPhone to allow for easy accessory attachment and faster wireless charging. But even before MagSafe came to the iPhone, older models could use Qi charging mats.

The following iPhone models support wireless charging:

There are several points to consider when working out which power adapter you need for your iPhone. The first thing you need to make sure of when purchasing a new power adapter is that you buy one with the correct USB port for your iPhone cable.

For example, if you got an iPhone 13 with a USB-C to Lightning cable, you'll need a USB-C power adapter for it. Likewise, if you have an iPhone SE, chances are your existing cables are USB-A, so if you're replacing your existing cable, you want a USB-A to Lightning one.

Related: A Guide to Apple's Adapters and Ports for Mac and iPhone

The next point to consider is the wattage of the power adapter you buy. The higher the number, the faster your device will charge. A 5W power adapter is smaller than the 20W equivalent, while a 30W power adapter is bigger and faster than both of those previously mentioned. It doesn't really matter which wattage you go for, since they all work, just at different speeds.

The final point to check is that you're buying an adapter that is designed to work in your own country. If you're looking to buy one ahead of traveling, it's worth considering purchasing the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit, so you won't need to worry about your iPhone or other Apple products being damaged by sub-standard international plug adapters.

Now that you know which type of cable or power adapter you need to buy for your iPhone, it's time to decide whether to purchase official Apple accessories or ones manufactured by a third party.

Third-party chargers and cables can sometimes be unsafe, but they are often much cheaper. It's worth considering that any damage caused by third-party accessories may invalidate your iPhone's warranty. There are plenty of Apple-endorsed, third-party charging accessories out there, so it's worth doing some research.

Tina is a self confessed technology geek. She loves all things Apple and Nintendo, in particular. Tina's based in the UK, and has been writing geeky content for over a decade, at MotherGeek.

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