It was once an essential device for iPhone users.
But now, Apple appears to have finally discontinued a popular piece of technology.
Buyers around the world have been concerned to discover that the Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter is out of stock online.
As Apple moves away from the Lightning cable and toward USB-C, this means the once-popular product could finally be gone for good.
Die-hard fans took to social media to express their frustrations, calling the change “the end of an era.”
MailOnline has confirmed that the cable is no longer available in the UK or US Apple Stores.
The adapter is reportedly still available in some countries such as France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
However, this is likely to be the case only while supplies last in some stores across the country.
Apple appears to have discontinued the Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, as buyers around the world discover that the popular piece of technology is no longer available.
On X (formerly Twitter), commenters were quick to share their frustration over the decision to call this “the end of an era.”
The Lightning headphone adapter first arrived in 2016 along with the launch of the iPhone 7.
This was the first iPhone release to ditch the 35mm auxiliary jack in favor of the new Lightning cable.
The problem for many iPhone customers was that this decision left wired headphones, including all of Apple’s previous EarPods, unusable.
The Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter allowed users to continue connecting their older headphones to newer iPhone models.
These small but vital cables were included in the box of every new iPhone from the iPhone 7 until the launch of the iPhone XS in 2018.
At that time, many customers had switched to Apple’s Lightning EarPods or the new Bluetooth AirPods.
But the adapter was still available to purchase separately for £9 (US$9 price) from the Apple Store.
However, Apple finally ditched the Lightning cable in favor of USB-C, with the iPhone 15 launching in 2023.
The Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter was launched in 2016 to allow iPhone users to connect their wired headphones to the Lightning port of the new iPhone.
In 2016, Apple launched the iPhone 7 (pictured), which was the first flagship smartphone to ditch the headphone jack in favor of a Lightning cable. This meant that iPhone users needed an adapter to connect their older headphones.
As Apple moves toward USB-C, it is phasing out remaining Lightning cable products. MailOnline discovered that the lighting to USB cable (pictured) and Lightning to VGA adapter are also out of stock
This has led Apple to phase out its Lightning cable products, including the Lightning to Headphones adapter.
In Apple stores in the UK and US, the Lightning to USB-C cable and Lightning to VGA adapter are also out of stock, suggesting that these three older cables may be discontinued.
On social media, some die-hard fans of the product have expressed disappointment that this key piece of technology will no longer be available.
One commenter wrote on X: ‘I use mine all the time for my B&W 5 wired headphones. Dumb decision to discontinue.
Another added: “I still use mine to connect to my car’s aux cable even though I have Bluetooth.”
One commenter simply added: ‘RIP.’
However, not everyone was so sad to see the Lightning to Headphone Adapter fade into obscurity.
On X, one commenter wrote: ‘Anyway, it was rubbish. Third-party variants are much more reliable.’
On X, one commenter called the decision to ditch the adapter “dumb,” adding that they still use theirs to connect wired headphones.
Another commenter said they used the adapter to connect to their car audio although they also had the option to use Bluetooth.
One commenter simply added ‘RIP’
“Makes sense since Lightning ports are being phased out,” added one Apple fan.
While another commenter joked: “If you didn’t have one now, I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
This isn’t the first time this year that Apple has discontinued a once-popular device.
In September, the company announced that it would be discontinuing three iPhone models to make way for the iPhone 16, as they revealed that the iPhone 13, iPhone 15 Pro, and Pro Max models would no longer be manufactured.
Similarly, this month Apple began a tactical retreat from virtual and augmented reality amid poor sales of the £3,499 (US price: $3,499) Vision Pro headset.
With just 370,000 headphones sold in the first three quarters of 2024, Apple has quietly reduced production of the much-hyped headphones.
A Chinese Apple Vision Pro maker said it had already cut assembly rates in half, to just 1,000 units per day.
Apple has been contacted for comment.