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ma1nstr3am

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 9, 2013
66
0
How Can I Tell if I Have an Official Apple Lightning Cable & Charging Wall Block? :confused:
 

uiop.

macrumors 68020
Jul 22, 2008
2,045
88
Grand Rapids, MI
Lots are close, nearly identical. But this is one way to tell a fake from a genuine. The real lightning cable (right) does not have a third indentation on the USB plug like the knock off on the left.

6fqob8.jpg
 
Last edited:

ma1nstr3am

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 9, 2013
66
0
Awesome, thank you. Now we just need a response for the fake lightnings and I'm set.
 

paulyeo

macrumors member
Jul 1, 2013
59
0
Lots are close, nearly identical. But this is one way to tell a fake from a genuine. The real lightning cable (top) does not have a third indentation on the USB plug like the knock off on the bottom.

Image

my fake one doesn't have a third indentation on the USB plug.

the way i find if its real or fake is looking for the 'Design by California' imprint. you can easily rub off the print on a fake one.
 

KUguardgrl13

macrumors 68020
May 16, 2013
2,492
125
Kansas, USA
Used to be that the genuine Apple USB cables would have the Apple logo on the opposite side from the USB symbol. Not sure if they still do that. The lightening end of the cable is oval-shaped, not perfectly square on the white part. Third party cables are usually square.

The USB power adapters will say "Designed by Apple in California" and often "Made in Japan" but not always I think. The US ones will have two prongs of equal size.
 

TC25

macrumors 68020
Mar 28, 2011
2,201
0
Used to be that the genuine Apple USB cables would have the Apple logo on the opposite side from the USB symbol. Not sure if they still do that. The lightening end of the cable is oval-shaped, not perfectly square on the white part. Third party cables are usually square.

The USB power adapters will say "Designed by Apple in California" and often "Made in Japan" but not always I think. The US ones will have two prongs of equal size.

Thanks for nailing down how to identify an official Apple cable.
 

KUguardgrl13

macrumors 68020
May 16, 2013
2,492
125
Kansas, USA
Thanks for nailing down how to identify an official Apple cable.

Sorry I didn't have my own cable on hand to closely examine it.

They apparently removed the Apple logo at some point. My USB adapter says Apple Japan as well as made in china. The white around the lightening end if the cable is rounded as previously stated. I have observed that a lot of third party cables are more square. We all know Apple has a thing for rounded corners :p
 
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