Apple has quietly discontinued its Lightning to 30-Pin Adapter, bringing an end to the $29 accessory that was first introduced in 2012 when Apple launched the Lightning charging port that replaced the 30-pin connector on its iPhone and iPad line.
Six years since Apple started to pull the plug on its 30-pin connector, the Lightning to 30-Pin Adapter has now been removed from sale from Apple.com, with Apple Stores carrying the remaining inventory which once sold, presumably won’t be restocked.
The purpose of the Lightning to 30-Pin Adapter was to allow devices such as the iPhone 5, fourth-generation iPad, and first-generation iPad mini, some of the first Lightning connector equipped devices, to be compatible with old 30-pin connector chargers and accessories, such as speakers and charging docks.
Now that the Lightning connector has become standard for all new iOS devices and third-party accessories it appears Apple feels the Lightning to 30-Pin Adapter is no longer required, and decided now was the right time to discontinue the product.
Although the accessory has been discontinued from Apple.com, customers can still pick-up the small adapter from resellers such as Amazon, although stock appears to be limited.