Engineer Ken Pillonel designed a new iPhone case that lets anyone add a USB-C port to an older Lightning iPhone without removing it.PillonelBest known for creating the first USB-C iPhone in 2021, the one-off project quickly became popular among tech enthusiasts and right-to-repair advocates. Now, after several years of hard work, he has turned the idea into something everyone can use.
His new protective case fits over an iPhone and turns Lightning into a usable USB-C port that supports charging, data transfer, and CarPlay. The case contains a custom circuit that handles fast charging and full-speed data transfer.
It avoids common problems with adapters, such as being prone to failure or damage when overloaded. The USB-C port connects directly to the Lightning connector through the case, so there's no need to open the phone or use tools.
Pillonel said he designed the case to combat "planned obsolescence." He hopes people will be able to extend the life of older equipment without having to upgrade or rely on wearing parts.
Apple has begun moving to USB-C on new iPhones, but the older Lightning connector is still widely used. Pillonel's cases bring new life to these devices, allowing users to upgrade to the latest devices without having to buy a new phone.
His video, posted on YouTube on July 23, shows the case in action and explains how it works. Pillonel has also previously launched USB-C protective cases for AirPods, and these products quickly attracted the attention of the repair community.
This iPhone protective case is not yet available for sale, but Pillonel says it does exist and works fine. He hopes it inspires people to think differently about how technology is designed, used and upgraded.
Apple switched to a Lightning port on the iPhone and then switched to a USB-C port on the Mac in just a few years, which attracted a lot of negative reviews. The company has even promised, and insists, that the Lightning port will be around for at least ten years.
The move to USB-C is a necessary move to ensure Apple doesn't face unnecessary regulation or fines over its proprietary interface. The idea that Apple would change the port type in order to force users to upgrade to the new port is a bit strange, especially considering that the new port is more universal and allows Android and iPhone users to share chargers.
The new iPhone cases do have the effect of bringing USB-C to older iPhones, but that doesn't really change how long Apple plans to support these devices. The iPhone 15 first introduced the interface in 2023, and iOS 26 supports devices as far back as 2019, so these devices don't stop working just because they use the Lightning interface.
That being said, if Pillonel's case becomes available, it would provide an interesting transitional step for those still using older iPhones who want to embrace USB-C before upgrading their devices. And, with the iPhone 16e and second-hand iPhone 15 models now available, users should really consider making this happen sooner rather than later.