In this guide
As of April 2026, the only actively sold iPhones with a Lightning port are the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE (3rd generation, 2022). Every iPhone 15 and later — including the full iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 lineups — uses USB-C instead.
- You own an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, or iPhone SE 3rd gen
- You are using a Lightning cable for charging or data transfer
- Your iPhone is an iPhone 15, 16, or 17 — those use USB-C only
- You try to plug a Lightning cable into a USB-C iPhone without an adapter
Which iPhones Use Lightning Right Now?
Apple began moving to USB-C with the iPhone 15 in 2023. Before that shift, every iPhone from the iPhone 5 onward used Lightning. Today, only three models remain on sale with Lightning ports:
- iPhone SE (3rd generation) — released 2022
- iPhone 14 — released 2022
- iPhone 14 Plus — released 2022
All older Lightning models — including the iPhone 13, 12, 11, and X series — have been discontinued by Apple but still work with Lightning accessories if you already own one.
Lightning vs USB-C: Quick Comparison
| Setup | Works? | Need | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning cable + iPhone 14 | Yes | Lightning cable | Charges and syncs normally |
| Lightning cable + iPhone 15 or later | No | USB-C cable | Connector won’t fit |
| USB-C cable + iPhone SE 3rd gen | No | Lightning cable | Wrong port entirely |
| Lightning cable + discontinued iPhone 13 | Yes | Lightning cable | Works, but model no longer sold |
What Can Lightning Do?
Lightning supports charging and data transfer, but data speeds are capped at USB 2.0 (around 480 Mbps). That’s fine for syncing photos and music, but much slower than USB-C for large file transfers. For more on how USB-C handles video and data, see our guide on whether USB-C supports video output.
Lightning cables are widely available and work with Apple’s own adapters for connecting to older accessories. If you’re curious how USB-C compares when connecting to displays, check out whether USB-C can connect to HDMI.
Will Future iPhones Use Lightning?
Almost certainly not. Apple has fully committed to USB-C, driven in part by EU regulations requiring a common charger standard. The rumored iPhone SE 4th generation is expected to arrive with USB-C. You can read more about the history of the Lightning connector on the Lightning connector Wikipedia page.
Bottom line: If your iPhone was bought new in 2022 and is an SE, 14, or 14 Plus, you still have Lightning. Anything newer uses USB-C, and Lightning cables simply won’t fit those phones. Stock up on Lightning accessories now if you plan to hold on to an older model.