Most of the hotels I have stayed at lately have an iHome alarm / clock / radio / docking station near the bed. These were great when you had an iPhone 2G / 3G / 3GS / 4 / 4S since they all used the same 30 pin connector. Unfortunately, Apple replaced the old 30 pin charging connector with an 8 pin lightning connector on their new iPhone 5 / 5S / 6 / 6 Plus, leaving millions of iHomes behind. (See how sad the iHome looks without an 8 pin connector?)
Back home, I have an old iHome alarm / clock / radio / docking station near my bed. I did not want to replace the entire iHome just because Apple released a new iPhone, so I found a way to compromise: keep my old iHome and charge my new iPhone…
…all I needed was a little white cable. Ta da! (Doesn’t my iHome look so much happier with the short white cable sticking out of his head?)
The Apple 30 pin to 8 pin lightning cable is only 7 inches long and comes in white.
It is a very simple concept: plug the big end onto an existing 30 pin connector (iHome, old iPhone charger, car charger, etc.) and plug the new 8 pin connector into a new iPhone.
Before I go any further, I need to point out something really important. Apple has 2 different 30 pin to 8 pin lightning adapters: a $34.99 cable (link)…
…and a $30.99 adapter (link). Both items are made and sold by Apple, live up to Apple’s quality standards, and comes with Apple’s premium price. These cables/adapters will charge your iPhone and can be used to transmit audio and video files from your iPhone through the cable/adapter to whatever device or cable you plug it into.
The cheap OEM/generic iPhone cable I bought on Ebay (link) for $6.49 (with free shipping by the way) will only charge your device. Let me repeat that, the cheap cable will only charge your iPhone, it will not transmit audio or video files. Therefore, you need to ask yourself, do you only want to charge your iPhone with a cheap OEM/generic cable or do you want to pay $30+ and get a cable/adapter that is capable of charging your iPhone and playing your audio/video files? Choose wisely!
I have used my cheap OEM/generic iPhone cable for almost a year and it works great. Since I don’t play music from my iPhone, I just needed the charging capabilities. I am not a fan of the small adapter that goes between the iHome and your iPhone, I much prefer the short cable. I just bought another cable so I can take it with me when I travel and leave my older cable at home. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
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Thanks Grant for the great info.
You’re welcome. Hope this info helps someone :)
I had the same exact issue two years ago when i got my 5! Was using the cheapo and getting so pissed off. Eventually forked over a few more bucks for the real one and was glad that it worked perfectly finally …..
however, for those looking for chargers and cables, they have oem genuine ones (you have to be careful and read descriptions carefully) for very cheap on ebay …. lightning cables for like $6-7, ipad wall chargers for like $9 (retail is $20 + on those ….)
btw got my iphone 6 plus. massive but amazing
Going from an iPhone 5S to an iPhone 6 was a big jump, I don’t think I could handle an iPhone 6 Plus. I got a great credit card case for my iPhone :)
So can you still manage the time on your ihome clock with the adapter?
What do you mean by manage the time? You can set the time on the iHome.
Thank you for your very helpful solution as I have 2 devices that have not been able to use and now I can! I had bought 2 different “cheap” chargers as you said! LOL
I got this small (no cord)adaptor for my iPhone 6plus.. I use the ihome to listen to music from my phone (YouTube etc..) but it’s not working:((((
What am I missing here..?
If your iHome is a few years old, it may not work with newer iPhone/iPads. Instead of using the lightning adapter, you may have to get an auxiliary adapter and play it from the headphone jack.
Ok:) I’ll give it a try.. Thank you!!:))
Good luck, I hope that works for you. The cheap 30 pin to lightning adapter only works for charging, in my experience.
So I got the apple longer one and it works!!!! Thank you :)))
Great to hear, I’m glad you found a cable that works.
Where did u get it from
I have this adapter and for some reason it only charges my phone , it doesn’t allow me to play music
Yes, that is what mine does too, it only charges my iPhone 6.
2 years after your original post and you’re still helping people! Thanks, Grant. You saved my iHome.
Awesome, glad to hear that my older posts are still helpful. Have a great Sunday!
Hi,
In Franchise bought 30 pin adapter from local store for my 6s and old iHome box in French house. Adapter doesn’t fit on iHome. Adapter is more like a male. Your pictures show opening in adapter. I going to return and see about getting one like yours that fits over iHome pin. What do you think?
Jeep
Hi again,
Sorry typo above meant in France not franchise!
Jeep
Hi Jeep, adapters from other countries may not work properly with your iHome.
Vivo en Guatemala, donde puedo adquirir 1 cargador para este aparato. Ayuda por favor
Vivo en Guatemala, donde puedo adquirir 1 cargador para este aparato
Hi Miriam, Can you shop on Amazon or eBay in Guatemala? They should have the item.