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Cables coming apart...

T

tl01

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 20, 2010
2,350
649
What is your experience with lighting cables and having them come apart. One almost burnt me last night when it split open. I just found the one that sits by my computer and hardly gets used has split too. I have apple care + or square trade for all of my idevices. I have owned about 20 idevices in my family over the years.... And have had at least 25 cables. These are my first two to fall apart. Today the apple store gave me a hard time saying I should have brought if before it split... That it was my fault... For bending the cable. They did agree to replace it. The genius told me to be more careful... And I spitefully said... I can't be more careful and still use the cable. Have others had issues with cables? Do they give you a hard time? I'm about to book another appt for the other cable... And plan to go to a different store.
First one... Last night.
B2A98127-62EA-40AA-8E2C-DC1444A0040B-842-0000005CDBA5310B_zpscfaea592.jpg

Second one... Today.
26515993-BE19-48ED-BC92-8D148C5E04E6-842-0000005D44D02D89_zps3b738aaf.jpg
 
I haven't had any issues with the lightning cables splitting but I did have problems with the 30 pin.

From your pictures it looks like they've been bent so much that they're tearing. What are you doing that keeps them bent?
 
Oh ya...those lightning cables are very flimsy. I have 2 iPhones and 1 iPod that all use the lightning cable and had to have them replaced 4 times. When I went last time, the lady in front if me also had the same issue. Even the apple guy told me they are not as durable as the previous ones.it seems like you have to keep the top part straight and avoid bending it.
 
Yes, I've also had that happen with only the 30pin cables, not the lightning ones…….and I'll admit that I am pretty hard on cables and freely expect to have to buy spares…..but so far, the lightning cable from my 5 has survived me quite well.

And in all fairness, it took over 3 years for the one 30pin to split/fray and 2 years for the other.
 
The stock Apple lightning cables are not durable, buy one of the thicker third party ones.

Personally im using some knockoff for eBay that has lasted longer than 2 Apple cables (it's for my car so it gets rougher use than a typical cable). Although mine typically don't break like yours do, the wires literally separate from the pin for mine.
 
I just plug in the device and let it sit. I don't leave it twisted at all. The one from tonight gets used about once every two weeks. The first one is the one that goes in my car. My car has a special cut out in a drawer on the dashboard where I put it while drive... for cables to prevent the cable from having an issue.

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macsrcool1234 said:
The stock Apple lightning cables are not durable, buy one of the thicker third party ones.

Personally im using some knockoff for eBay that has lasted longer than 2 Apple cables (it's for my car so it gets rougher use than a typical cable). Although mine typically don't break like yours do, the wires literally separate from the pin for mine.
Click to expand...

I bought one certified by apple one that is thicker and it still looks brand new! But I can't afford to replace all my cables:(. These bunch up and it bunches more and more over time.
 
if you buy a replacement get it from radioshack they have insurance on those cables for like $5 extra so when it happens again your covered..apple chargers have always been horrible in bunching and tearing towards the connection IMO
 
I've had several that either have split or have stopped charging the phone. Each time I had them replaced by Apple w/o any issues.
I am thinking of putting electrical tape in the area just before the iPhone plug, to prevent it from bending and becoming non-functional.
 
Just noticed this morning that mine has the same thing

Can I call apple and have them ship a new one to me, or do I have to go to the store?
 
I've had three apple lightning cables do the same thing. I got sick of having apple replace them/ buy new ones and finally bought the amazon brand for 12$ a pop. Not a single issue since
 
My cable started falling apart like 6 months ago and its only been now that my MBP wouldn't accept it. They have additional wrapping on the cables themselves.

I have an extra from my Nano though, and when I get the 5S, I'll have that.
 
sirenized said:
I've had three apple lightning cables do the same thing. I got sick of having apple replace them/ buy new ones and finally bought the amazon brand for 12$ a pop. Not a single issue since
Click to expand...

If you buy these keep in mind that they are slightly bigger on the tips and not all cases will fit this cable, like the apple leather case for i5s/i5 for example.
 
Lightening cable quality for me has been hit or miss but overall crap.

In my house we have 6. 4 that pretty much never move.

I have 30 pin cables from probably 2003 that traveled the country and in are better condition then those.
 
Jessica Lares said:
My cable started falling apart like 6 months ago and its only been now that my MBP wouldn't accept it. They have additional wrapping on the cables themselves.

I have an extra from my Nano though, and when I get the 5S, I'll have that.
Click to expand...

What's weird is that they were both working...even like that. I only noticed the split because my finger got hot from touching around it what I picked up my phone.

I first noticed the first cable was bunching back in April... and it just now split....
 
It's a shame that such an expensive cable cannot be of a better quality. I've never had a problem with a 30 pin cable, and I have 7 or 8 of them
 
Tortri said:
If you buy these keep in mind that they are slightly bigger on the tips and not all cases will fit this cable, like the apple leather case for i5s/i5 for example.
Click to expand...

Yes.. my certified by apple cable does have a bigger tip and it barely fits with my ipad mini cases.
 
I had to have mine replaced once already. Went to the Apple store and didn't have a problem. Now just a few months later there seems to be a short or something in it because if I nudge the phone while it's charging, the charge will cut in and out.
 
These cables are not durable - I have purchased 2 new lightning cables in the past. (Aside from the cable that came with my iPhone.)
 
Last edited:
scoop2mylue said:
if you buy a replacement get it from radioshack they have insurance on those cables for like $5 extra so when it happens again your covered..apple chargers have always been horrible in bunching and tearing towards the connection IMO
Click to expand...

no need!

TS you have the 1 year warranty plus apple care +; they are supposed to exchange for you for free.

The apple one is very weak compared to my Belkin and AmazonBasics Cable, almost half as strong it feels.
 
tl01 said:
I just plug in the device and let it sit. I don't leave it twisted at all. The one from tonight gets used about once every two weeks. The first one is the one that goes in my car. My car has a special cut out in a drawer on the dashboard where I put it while drive... for cables to prevent the cable from having an issue.
Click to expand...

Are they getting caught in the drawer? They look cut.
 
Had this issue. Apple replaced it right away without even asking any questions. The employee told me that they replace it as soon as they see the rubber sliding up like that near the connector.
 
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