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Beats has the official Apple cable for CarPlay with USB-C iPhones

When Apple moved the iPhone to USB-C, it left behind more than just the Lightning port. New iPhone comes with a USB-C charging cable, but many cars still use USB-A ports for CarPlay.

Using CarPlay with a newer iPhone and an older USB port

That’s created a gap for drivers: no first-party cable to connect a USB-C iPhone to a USB-A car. Apple’s official workaround is a $29 USB-C to Lightning adapter.

Beats, an Apple brand, offers this USB-A to USB-C cable for half the price that is the official solution for using CarPlay with USB-C iPhones.

Apple makes some uncommon accessories through its Beats brand

Apple bought Beats in 2014, acquiring the headphone business and Beats Music, the streaming service that became the foundation for Apple Music.

A decade later, Apple started using the Beats brand for more than just audio gear, beginning with Beats-branded iPhone cases.

Top comment by Adrian Li

Liked by 25 people

Any USB-A to USB-C cable will work

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A few months after that, Apple launched the first Beats-branded line of USB cables which includes the USB-A to USB-C cable.

Beats is the first-party solution

CarPlay users have embraced the Beats cable as the official Apple solution, favoring it over options from Belkin and other third-party accessory makers.

The Beats USB-A to USB-C cable comes in three braided color options (Bolt Black, Rapid Red, and Surge Stone) and is available in two lengths: a short 8-inch (20 cm) version and a longer 5-foot (1.5 meter) version.

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Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.

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