With the iPhone 15, Apple is using a USB-C port for the first time in its smartphone series. This means that countless USB-C accessories are Apple compatible in one fell swoop. However, dealers in China, where iPhones are manufactured, are now warning against using USB-C cables from Android smartphones for the iPhone.
On the Chinese social media platform Weibo, alleged Apple dealers advise against using “Android” USB-C cables with the iPhone 15. These could cause a fire because the distance between the pins in the cable is smaller. TECHBOOK editor Adrian Mühlroth took a close look at the matter.
Notice comes from fake Apple Stores
The China-focused news portal “Gizmochina” was the first to report on the warning from various traders on Weibo. Various media – including in Germany – picked up on the news and incorrectly named Apple as the sender of the warning. The fact is that none of the retailers have been certified by Apple – let alone are an official Apple Store. These exist in China, but not in the places mentioned. Instead, many retailers pretend to be official Apple Stores and even the employees often believe that to be employed by Apple itself.
But the warning they issue is just as “fake” as the dealers themselves. In fact, there is no danger from “Android Type-C” cables for the iPhone 15, as “Apple Insider” reports. The reason given by the fake stores is that the distance between the 9-pin rows and 11-pin rows in the cable is too small, which could lead to a fire.
This is sheer nonsense, because the USB-C standard relies on two rows of 12 pins each, regardless of the manufacturer. Depending on the specification, these may not be occupied (for example if they only support USB 2.0). However, the distance between the pins always remains the same. Apart from that, the device and cable communicate with each other once a connection is established. This ensures that the correct charging protocol is used so as not to damage the device. If there were a difference in the distance between the pins, no communication could take place between the cable and the device – and therefore no current could flow.
iPhone 15 compatible with all certified USB-C cables
The warning from retailers posing as Apple Stores is therefore probably just an attempt to get iPhone 15 buyers to purchase new accessories. So once again in plain language: There is no danger from third-party USB-C cables for the iPhone 15. So if you still have an old smartphone lying around, you can safely continue to use it.
The actual danger comes from cables that are sold as “USB-C” but are not manufactured according to the standard’s specifications and are accordingly certified. When purchasing, make sure that the original “USB” or the “USB-C” logo is present. Uncertified cables not only pose the risk of burning, but can also contain hidden chips that hackers use to attack end devices.