The adapter has recently been marked as “sold out” on Apple’s online store in the U.S. and in most other countries.
Currently, the adapter is still available from Apple in a limited number of countries, including France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, but likely only while supplies last.
This situation mirrors what occurred earlier this year with the SuperDrive, Apple’s USB-powered CD drive, which first sold out in the U.S. before eventually becoming unavailable worldwide.
Apple initially included the adapter at no extra cost with iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and iPhone X models. However, starting with the iPhone XS, the adapter was no longer bundled with new devices.
Despite this, Apple continued to sell the accessory separately on its online store for $9 in the U.S.
After eight years on the market, it now appears that the adapter is being phased out.
The adapter enables users to connect wired headphones with a 3.5mm plug to iPhones lacking a headphone jack by way of the Lightning port.
However, the only remaining iPhone models with Lightning ports that Apple still sells new—the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE—are expected to be discontinued next year.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series feature USB-C ports, and Apple continues to offer a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter for those devices.
While pushing its wireless AirPods lineup, Apple also continues to sell its wired EarPods in three variations: USB-C, Lightning, and 3.5mm headphone plug versions.
