Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Non Apple earbuds?

Voxone

Voxone

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 14, 2012
47
0
San Francisco Bay Area
I lost the earbuds that came with my iPhone 7. I hated them anyway but they were handy when I wanted to listen so some music while on my commute train. So, I purchased an after market set on Amazon for about $30. They worked fine; good audio quality, comfortable and they certainly fit better the the ones that came with the phone. After this latest IOS update I get an error message that they are no longer supported. So, now I have a very useless set of earbuds that won't work in anything else because of the lightning connector and I can't return them because the 30 day window has closed. I went on the Apple website to see what they had that would actually work and they want an absurd amount of money for virtually the same thing! And I refuse to get those ridiculous AirBuds. I feel as though I'm being held hostage by Apple: Buy our overpriced earbuds or you're out of luck! Anyone else experience this?

Michael B.
 
Its most likely because the headphones you bought were not MFI certified. You could try contacting Amazon for a return. Sometimes they honor an extended return policy. There are other options for MFI certified lightning headphones, you don't have to buy just Apple branded. Or even some cheap bluetooth ones.
 
Mlrollin91 said:
Its most likely because the headphones you bought were not MFI certified. You could try contacting Amazon for a return. Sometimes they honor an extended return policy. There are other options for MFI certified lightning headphones, you don't have to buy just Apple branded.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea, I will do that. The seller indicated that they were, in fact, certified by Apple and, as I said, they worked fine until this latest IOS update. I've since read reviews of these earbuds and others obviously made by the same company, stating the same problem.
 
Voxone said:
That's a good idea, I will do that. The seller indicated that they were, in fact, certified by Apple and, as I said, they worked fine until this latest IOS update. I've since read reviews of these earbuds and others obviously made by the same company, stating the same problem.
Click to expand...
Definitely sounds like false advertising, which means Amazon will more likely grant you an exception.
 
So Apple need to sell the manufacturer a license or your earbuds won't work? What's the other logical explanation for this?
 
Mlrollin91 said:
Its no different than Lightning cables. Its to make sure only OEM authentic components are used. This prevents damage to the device. I am all for spending a few extra dollars for a guaranteed certified product.
Click to expand...

Preventing damage to the device seems like something Apple would say. I've bought certified more by chance than anything but to remove 3.5mm jacks then say you have to pay us (albeit indirectly) to use earphones is questionable at best.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kalloud and addamas
maccingandsnacking said:
Preventing damage to the device seems like something Apple would say. I've bought certified more by chance than anything but to remove 3.5mm jacks then say you have to pay us (albeit indirectly) to use earphones is questionable at best.
Click to expand...

I think you are getting confused. You don't have to pay anything to use a lightning headphone. Apple gave you a free adapter. The adapter is what is MFI certified. Any old headphone will work fine. You are not paying Apple anything. Oh, and Apple also gave you free lightning headphones! Again, you're not paying Apple anything!

It is 100% due to prevent damage, especially lightning cables. Fake cables are a fire hazard to you, those around you and the structure that you are in. It is well worth paying. Better safe than sorry.

It is also a potential risk for the device itself. I don't understand people that spend $800 on a device to risk using a $1 cable when you can buy Anker MFI certified cables for $8-$10.
 
  • Like
Reactions: davidmartindale, Open Casket and decafjava
If I were you, I would grab an adapter and use the old school 3.5 mm headphone jack and call it a day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mlrollin91
Shirasaki said:
If I were you, I would grab an adapter and use the old school 3.5 mm headphone jack and call it a day.
Click to expand...
Well, yes, this is what I've done, but that wasn't the point. The point being that I don't like being held hostage having to buy WAY overpriced accessories because third party items aren't supported. The other point was that the listing on Amazon said they WERE MFI supported. I have since contracted Amazon customer support and they gave me a full refund. Plus a co-worker who hates the earbuds that came with iPhone 7 gave me hers.
 
Voxone said:
Well, yes, this is what I've done, but that wasn't the point. The point being that I don't like being held hostage having to buy WAY overpriced accessories because third party items aren't supported. The other point was that the listing on Amazon said they WERE MFI supported. I have since contracted Amazon customer support and they gave me a full refund. Plus a co-worker who hates the earbuds that came with iPhone 7 gave me hers.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call it being held hostage. It's making sure you have a compatibity item that won't damage your device. Otherwise you could be out the entire cost of the phone.
 
Voxone said:
Well, yes, this is what I've done, but that wasn't the point. The point being that I don't like being held hostage having to buy WAY overpriced accessories because third party items aren't supported. The other point was that the listing on Amazon said they WERE MFI supported. I have since contracted Amazon customer support and they gave me a full refund. Plus a co-worker who hates the earbuds that came with iPhone 7 gave me hers.
Click to expand...
Some would just say this:
Bro, you need to buy an android phone or old iPhone. New iPhone is not what you want.
Or:
You still use wired headphone? Obsolete. Go wireless. That is the future.
Me?
Well... I will still get an adapter.
 
I don't think it's even possible for a bluetooth device to "cause damage to the device."

A Lightning cable, sure, due to the electricity going into the logic board. Bluetooth? Come on now... this is money grabbing bs and you know it
 
Suckfest 9001 said:
I don't think it's even possible for a bluetooth device to "cause damage to the device."

A Lightning cable, sure, due to the electricity going into the logic board. Bluetooth? Come on now... this is money grabbing bs and you know it
Click to expand...
Not sure what you are talking about. Bluetooth headphones don't need to be MFI certified. That's strictly lightning. Anything 8 pin has to be certified to work properly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back