Definition: Apple dock connector

The plug and socket that provides charging and data transfer between Apple devices and a computer or sound system. The current interface is USB Type C, which superseded Apple's own 30-pin and Lightning connectors as well as the 3.5mm headphones jack.

The Apple device contains the socket, and the cable or docking station has the plug. In 2012, the original 30-pin analog+digital interface was replaced with the 8-pin all-digital Lightning connector. Starting in 2018, Apple began replacing Lightning with USB-C. See Lightning connector.

The Analog Headphones Jack
Just as Lightning disappeared, the universal 3.5mm analog headphones jack, which had been on Apple devices for years, was also replaced with USB Type C. Called a "mini-phone connector," the 3.5mm headphones jack has been an analog headphones standard on billions of devices for decades. See mini-phone connector. To wire analog headphones people have to USB-C, a Type C-to-3.5mm adapter is used, which contains a digital-to-analog converter. See D/A converter.

First Connector (digital + analog)

The 30-pin connector worked with Apple devices prior to the iPhone 5 and 2012 models of the iPod touch and nano. It had 27 lines for digital data and three lines for analog audio. See Apple dock.

Second Connector (digital)

The 8-pin Lightning connector is reversible and has no analog lines. (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.)

Retired Interfaces

Superseded today, Apple's first plugs are easy to identify. See Lightning connector.