Have you ever been mindlessly scrolling on your phone, see that your battery is low, plug it into its charger, and see a notification pop up that says: “this accessory is not supported by this device?” It happens to the best of us, and sometimes it’s not just phone chargers that do this. It can be any accessory. Here are some ways you can fix that and identify counterfeit Apple accessories which would also cause this notification.
Which Accessories Cause this Notification to Pop Up?
Almost any accessory that is compatible with an iPhone can cause this notification to appear, even if the accessory has been successfully used before. Lightning (charging) cables, keyboards, Bluetooth devices, earbud plugs, and other accessories can cause this notification to appear.
Reasons For this Notification
- Your iPhone or Apple device has not been updated
- The accessory you’re trying to connect is not compatible with your Apple device. Every accessory must be MFI—made for iPhone—certified, or it will not be compatible with your device.
- The plug of your accessory is damaged or dirty
- It may simply be that you didn’t plug the accessory in correctly or that it did not register with your device because of heat. Try taking it out and plugging it in again.
What if Your Accessory is Supposedly MFI Certified and Still Not Working?
When you’re out shopping for charging cables, for example, be careful where you buy them from. Many malls, gas stations, and busy streets have little pop-up shops that sell non-certified, knock-off lightning charging cords all the while claiming that it’s MFI certified. To prevent this, make sure you shop at a name brand store that also sells Apple or other smartphone products.
The Dangers of Buying Knock-Off MFI Products
Always invest in your devices and buy the products you know will work for your iPhone. If not, these knock-off, non-certified accessories can permanently damage your device and you’ll have to buy a new phone or pay for expensive damages. It’s better to play it safe and buy high-quality accessories every time.
Not only can counterfeit Apple accessories completely ruin your device, they have also proved in past studies to be dangerous to customers. Very few lightning cables, specifically, in the study had enough rubber insolation to protect users from electric shocks.
How to Identify a Counterfeit Lightning Cable
- Any damages to the cable or to the device
- Any damages and malfunctions immediately after use such as the connector end falling off or getting got to the touch
- Plugging the cable into your iPhone and it refuses to charge or sync to a computer
- Lack of packaging that specifically says “Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod”
- The lightning cable does not fit into the iPhone port
- The metal plug piece is rough, inconsistent, and has an uneven surface
How to Fix if the Accessory is Certified or Made by Apple
- Update your iPhone or Apple device to the latest iOS version. Do this by connecting your phone to a computer and updating it through iTunes or go to Settings on your iPhone, then General, then About to update it wirelessly.
- Clean the accessory plug or the port of your device, either of which could affect compatibility. To clean the accessory plug, wipe it down or carefully scrape off the debris. To clean the device port, use a clean toothbrush, a small vacuum, or air from your mouth to remove built-up debris.
- If your accessory cable is damaged by corrosion or from misuse, replace it. Before you do so, be sure it is under Apple’s warranty and you may get it replaced for free
- Try unplugging the accessory and plugging it back in a few times to rule out the chance that it is just momentarily not responding.
- Unplug accessory and then restart your device. Try the accessory again once it restarts.
- If none of these options work for you, then make an appointment with an Apple, technology, or smartphone shop so they can inspect your device and the accessory to look for solutions. Additionally, you can contact the accessory manufacturer for more solutions.
