Lightning cable dies for no reason

By Toonhead, 25 June, 2013

Forum

Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

I had a lightning cable for my iPhone 5 and it worked great for a long time. I'd either keep it plugged into AC power, or when I needed to sync I'd plug it into the USB port on my pc in the usual way. But yesterday, I found myself having to use the cable on another pc, and after I used it on that one, the cable quit working. I saw this happen when I used a lightning cable on an external battery pack I have. It seems like the very act of plugging the cable into another pc or device other than my own kills the cable, and at almost 20 bucks each, it's kind of expensive to replace. I did end up getting a replacement one but I'd like to keep this one for a good long time. Has anyone else ever heard of this happening? To me, plugging a cable into a different pc or device like an external battery pack should not short out the cable, if that's what's happening. if anyone has any thoughts i'd be interested to know what they are. Thanks!

Options

Comments

cables

Ive seen cables last 2 days and 2 years. This seems to happen a lot, with both apple data cables, and headsets. If you have ever looked at the tiny wires they use inside, it makes sense. The wires are really really fine, and cant take a lot of abuse. I suggest finding a source for cheaper cables. While they may or may not be MFI certified, its really up to you if you want to spend $10 a cable, or $20-30 on one. The other advantage with 3rd party cables, is, apple only makes them in 3 FT/ 1 M lenghts, and some times you need one either longer or shorter. I know a lot of people who like the 6 and 10 foot ones because they can plug them in to the bac of the computer and not have to stretch them so tightly. Remember, your original cables are under warrantee with your phone, so you can exchange them for free while your phones still under warrantee. So, in short, either find a cheaper source for your cables, or make extensive trips to the apple store and exchange them when they die.

Good thoughts

Good thoughts here. Like I mentioned in my original post this was kind of an extreme situation because I was the only one with a cable, and now we both have them. You can buy them on amazon but you have to wait a good while to get them, at least the ones I've seen took a while to ship. I will look around and will buy a few extras, just in case. Hopefully these will last a good while!