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Why You Should Use Apple MFI Certified Lightning Cables
Fake lightning cables can damage your phone, laptop, and other electronics
By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 6, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section What Is MFI and Why Is It Important Are All Uncertified Lightning Cables Bad Lightning Cables Without MFI Certification Can Hurt You Can a Lightning Cable Really Hijack Your Device Stay Safe With MFI Certified Lightning Cables Apple MFI Certified Lightning cables aren't cheap, and affordable alternatives are all over the place. The temptation to save some money by using uncertified Lightning cables is very real, but the potentially disastrous consequences far outweigh the amount of money you stand to save. Fake Lightning cables aren't built to the same exacting standards, so they are more likely to fail, and they can even damage your devices. Thanks to the devious work of some hackers, it's even possible to hijack your device with the right non-MFI Lightning cable. Poravute / iStock / Getty According to Apple, you may notice the following issues if you use a counterfeit Lightning cable: Your iOS device could suffer damageThe cable may become damaged more easily than you expectThe cable connector could fall or break off, get hot, or not fit correctlyYou may find that you cannot charge or sync your device What Is MFI and Why Is It Important
Apple launched their Made for iPod (MFI) certification program in 2005 to make sure that all accessories and chargers would work correctly with the original dock connector. This program has expanded over the years, and it's currently used to make sure that Lightning cables meet Apple's exacting standards, without cutting any corners or hiding any malicious hardware inside. MFI stands for Made for iPhone now instead of Made for iPod, but exclusively using MFI certified Lightning cables will protect your iPhone, iPod, and even computer from potential damage. Are All Uncertified Lightning Cables Bad
The fact is that it's completely possible for a manufacturer to make a uncertified Lightning cable that's just as good as a certified cable. There is a cost associated with the testing processes, and manufacturers have to pay a royalty to Apple to advertise their products as MFI certified. Due to that cost, some manufacturers opt out of the program. The problem is that it's extremely difficult, or even impossible, to pick a good Lightning cable out from a pile of bad Lightning cables without the MFI certification. A cable may look great on the outside, but be poorly built, or even hide malicious hardware that could hijack your device. You can rely on reviews or word of mouth to identify high quality uncertified cables, but you have to ask yourself if the money you save is worth the chance of damaging your devices. rozdemir / iStock / Getty How a Lightning Cable Without MFI Certification Can Hurt You
Poorly built Lightning cables can cause a number of problems, and cables built by people who have bad intentions open up an entirely new world of issues. Here are the top six issues you're likely to encounter with Lightning cables that aren't MFI certified. Uncertain construction: If a manufacturer is already cutting some corners, in refusing to perform MFI certification, they may cut other corners. That can lead to the use of low quality materials and sloppy construction practices. That's why so many fake Lightning cables feel cheaply made and tend to fail more easily.Charging and syncing issues: Early failure is just the tip of the iceberg. Due to lower standards, fake Lightning cables often exhibit issues when charging and syncing devices. Your device may charge slowly, or it may not charge or sync at all.Potential for catastrophic failure: Some fake lightning cables just stop working, and that's it, but others suffer catastrophic failures. When this happens, the cable can catch fire or even electrocute you.Device damage: Beyond failing or catching on fire, the real danger with fake Lightning cables is the potential to damage your devices. An improperly constructed Lightning cable may charge poorly or overheat, or even provide too much current, shortening the life of your iPhone battery or even destroying the chip that regulates charging.Possibility of hijacking: The latest danger to emerge with fake Lightning cables is that hackers have managed to sneak hardware into seemingly normal cables that can open your device up to hijacking. Can a Lightning Cable Really Hijack Your Device
It might seem far fetched, but hackers have actually managed to manufacture Lightning cables that contain hardware that they can use to hijack your device. The most well known example involves a Lightning cable that looks and works normally, but also creates a wireless hotspot that a hacker can use to connect directly to your device without your knowledge. Poorly-constructed fake Lightning cables are far more common than cables that are capable of hijacking devices, but this is still a real thing that has been demonstrated to exist with the potential for mass production. How to Stay Safe With MFI Certified Lightning Cables
You don't have to buy directly from Apple to stay safe from fake Lightning cables, but you do need to look for the MFI certification. If you're worried that you won't be able to tell the difference, Apple can help you identify counterfeit or uncertified Lightning cables. Wikimedia Commons Certified cables will typically have a badge that says Made for iPhone, or Made for iPhone iPad iPod. There are a few different versions of the badge that have been used over the years, but they all use the Made for iPhone or Made for iPad wording. Additionally, legitimate Lightning cables all feature some small print on the cable that looks like this: Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China xxxxxxxxxxxx Designed by Apple in California Assembled in Vietnam xxxxxxxxxxxx Designed by Apple in California Industria Brasileira xxxxxxxxxxxx This text indicates where the cable was designed, where it was manufactured, and then reproduces the 12 digit serial number of the cable. If you don't see text to this effect on a cable that you just took out of the original packaging, then it's probably a counterfeit. There are other ways to tell whether or not a Lightning cable is fake, but some fakes look quite real and take a trained eye to identify. If you are at all suspicious, avoid using the cable until you have consulted with a professional. Since fake Lightning cables can damage your expensive devices, it's better to not take that chance. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Why USB-C iPhones Could Help Make Your Life Easier KOZOPO 6-Foot USB to Lightning Cable (2-Pack) The 6 Best iPhone Lightning Cables of 2022 How to Change a Mac Mouse Battery Quntis PD Charger and Lightning to USB-C Cable: Fast Charging for Most of Your Devices How to Know if AirPods Are Real Hiway Nylon Braided Lightning Cable: Durable and Stylish Too Apple Lightning to USB Cable (6-Foot): Reliable, Flexible iPhone Charging How to Fix It When an Apple TV Remote Isn't Working USB-C vs. Lightning: What's the Difference? Syncwire Lightning Cable Review: Simple and Sturdy Charging Ethernet Cables, How They Work and How to Choose the Right One How to Prevent Browser Hijacking DNS Servers: What Are They and Why Are They Used? Apple Lightning to USB Cable (3-Foot): Consistent Charging for Your iPhone Sync Your iPhone and iPad in a Few Simple Steps Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies