How to use Lightning Headphones on a Laptop

The lightning connector was introduced to Apple products in 2012 with the release of the iPhone 5. The Lightning Connector is a proprietary cable and connector designed by Apple for data synchronization and charging. This means that it can’t be used on your regular laptop easily, but there are two ways to connect them using adapters. Here’s how to use lightning headphones on your laptop.

Why is the lightning connector a problem for laptops?

The lightning connector is a proprietary cable and connection designed by Apple for data synchronization and charging. This means that it can’t be used on your regular laptop easily like other types of cables. Not even Apple laptops have a lightning connector!

What are your options? How do you connect your lightning headphones?

Well, there are simple ways to connect your headphones to your laptop. Both are cheap options and require an adapter, but that’s better than not having alternatives, right? Right?

Lightning to USB-A adapter

You can use a USB-A adapter to connect your lightning headphones. All you have to do is plug the USB connector into your laptop, then plug one end of the lightning cable into the other side and finally, insert it into your headphone jack.

This is your best choice if you have an old laptop without USB-C ports (2015 or older). There aren’t many options available to buy, though, as USB-A connectors are slowly being replaced by newer USB interfaces such as…

Lightning to USB-C adapter

If you have a newer laptop with USB-C ports or are just interested in having the newest and most up-to-date technology, you can use an adapter for that too.

This adapter is also a data sync cable between your iPhone and computer (or any other USB device). The downside? It’s a bit more expensive than the lightning to USB-A adapter.

Here’s a popular one on Amazon:

This adapter is for you if you have a 2016 or newer Macbook model.

Can I buy lightning to 3.5mm jack adapter?

I know what you’re thinking! But no, you can’t. The lightning connector and the regular headphone jack are incompatible in that particular order. You can buy a 3.5mm to lightning adapter, but not lightning to 3.5mm adapter.

Are Apple EarPods with lightning connectors worth the hassle?

I would say yes. They’re very comfortable, the sound quality is excellent, and you don’t have to deal with this nonsense if you use them!

If you’re planning on buying a new set just for your laptop, it’s probably not worth it, but since most people have them because they’re included with their iPhone, it’s reasonable to invest a bit more on an adapter to make them compatible with the rest of your devices.

Final words

I hope you found this article helpful. It’s important to remember that lightning headphones can’t be used on regular laptops easily, but there are two ways to connect them using adapters!

Now you know how to use lightning headphones on laptops, so go and enjoy your new set of sound-quality headphones connected correctly for use with a laptop! Or, you know, you can always get a new pair of AirPods and go wireless. Needless to say, AirPods can have problems too, but that’s a story for another post.