Apple seems to have quietly discontinued a once-essential accessory for iPhone users: the 3.5mm Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter, New York Post reported.

This item has been out of stock on both the UK and US Apple websites for quite some time.

The adapter enabled users to connect their iPhones—lacking a headphone jack—to a variety of devices, such as wired headphones, speakers, car audio systems, and in-flight entertainment systems.

With Apple transitioning from its proprietary Lightning port to USB-C, it appears that this once-popular accessory may be permanently retired.

The 3.5mm Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter, launched in 2016 alongside the iPhone 7, symbolized Apple’s controversial decision to eliminate the traditional headphone jack from its devices.

This change created a challenge for many iPhone users, as their older wired or non-Apple headphones became incompatible. The adapter offered a practical solution, enabling users to keep using their existing headphones with the new iPhones.

The transition away from the Lightning connector has been gradual, culminating in the official switch to USB-C with the iPhone 15 in 2023. For several years, the adapter was bundled with every new iPhone from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone XS, which was released in 2018.

As many iPhone users shifted to wireless alternatives like Lightning EarPods and Bluetooth AirPods, the 3.5mm Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter fell out of favour and was no longer included with new devices. Although it was previously available for around $9 at Apple stores, it now seems to be vanishing from retail locations entirely.

While the adapter has disappeared from the UK and US markets, it can still be found in some countries, including France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Additionally, it remains available on various non-Apple websites, such as Amazon.

This transition has frustrated some dedicated iPhone users, but it’s evident that Apple is fully committed to USB-C as the future standard for its devices, marking a significant shift in their product strategy.