Initially introduced in 2016, it now appears that Apple's Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter may soon be discontinued (via MacRumors).
Apple began selling the product alongside the iPhone 7, which was the first iPhone to no longer feature a 3.5mm headphone jack. If you want to use wired headphones (other than the Lightning EarPods that come in the box), you'll need this adapter.
Apple included it in the box with the iPhone 7, 8, and X, but starting with the iPhone XS and XR, they stopped including it in the box, requiring customers to buy it separately for $9.
Obviously, iPhones now use USB-C, and Apple still makes a USB-C headphone adapter for use with the iPhone 15 and later. However, if you're using an iPhone 14 or earlier, time may be running out.
It's currently “sold out” on Apple's online store, which doesn't necessarily mean it's gone, but it's a sure sign. As mentioned in MacRumors, the same thing is reported to have happened with Apple’s USB SuperDrive, which sold out months earlier and was then quietly discontinued.
While it’s out of stock in the US and most other countries, it’s still available in France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
There will likely still be MFi options on the market, but if you want the Apple one, time is running out. It looks like it’s out of stock on Amazon, but you can still get it at Best Buy for just under the original $9 price.
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