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Apple MXLY2AM/A Lightning to USB Cable (1 m)
Apple MXLY2AM/A Lightning to USB Cable (1 m)
Apple MXLY2AM/A Lightning to USB Cable (1 m)
Apple

Apple MXLY2AM/A Lightning to USB Cable (1 m)

★★★★★4.7 (62219 reviews)
USB 2.0USB-C

The official Apple Lightning cable — reliable USB 2.0 sync and charge in the length that works across every desk and nightstand.

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Overview

The Apple MXLY2AM/A is a first-party Lightning to USB-A cable covering the basic but critical task of connecting Lightning-equipped Apple devices to computers and USB-A chargers. The USB 2.0 interface supports both data synchronization and charging over a single cable — adequate for device backups, media sync, and standard 5W charging from any USB-A power source. What the cable provides that no-name alternatives cannot consistently match is full MFi certification: the Lightning connector communicates correctly with iOS and iPadOS authentication, eliminating the disruptive "accessory not supported" warnings that interrupt charging from non-certified cables. At 1 meter it hits the practical length for desk and bedside configurations.

This cable is purpose-built for the Lightning ecosystem — iPhones through the Lightning era, standard iPads, AirPods cases, and iPod touch. It is not a high-bandwidth accessory: USB 2.0 at 480 Mbps is the technical ceiling, and there is no fast-charging support. Users with USB-C-only Macs or USB-C power adapters will find the USB-A termination a friction point that requires an adapter. The real-world case for this cable is straightforward: if you have a USB-A power brick or an older Mac and a Lightning device, this cable performs reliably and avoids the certification issues that make cheaper cables a false economy. It occupies a shrinking but still meaningful segment of the Apple accessory market as Lightning devices remain in widespread use.

Key Features

This USB 2.0 cable connects your iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods or iPod with Lightning Connector to your computer's USB port for syncing and charging.

You can connect to the Apple USB power adapter for convenient charging from a wall outlet.

USB-C power adapters sold separately.

Cable Length: 1 meter or 3 feet

Specifications

Cable Type
Lightning to USB
Connector 1
Lightning Connector
Connector 2
USB 2.0
Cable Length
1 meter (3 feet)
Functionality
Syncing and charging
Compatibility
iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, iPod with Lightning Connector
Power Adapter Compatibility
Apple USB power adapter

Apple Lightning to USB Cable (MXLY2AM/A, 1 Meter) — Editorial Review & Compatibility Guide

The Apple Lightning to USB Cable (MXLY2AM/A 1m, plus the longer 2m MFKE2AM/A variant) is Apple's genuine first-party USB-A-to-Lightning cable — for charging + syncing iPhone (5 through 14), iPad (4th-9th gen, mini 1-5, Air 2-3, Pro 1st-2nd gen with Lightning), AirPods (1st/2nd gen with Lightning case), AirPods Pro 1st gen, Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard (Lightning gen), Magic Trackpad 2. Per Apple's official Lightning to USB Cable product page, the cable uses Apple's MFi-certified Lightning connector + USB-A connector, supports USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (~480 Mbps theoretical), and charges at up to 12W on iPad / 5W on iPhone via standard USB-A wall adapters.

What the Apple Lightning to USB Cable Specifically Wins

  • Apple-genuine MFi certification — guaranteed compatibility + no "cable not certified" warnings on iPhone / iPad. Third-party cables increasingly trigger MFi authentication challenges; Apple-genuine eliminates the risk
  • Replacement / spare for the cable that ships with iPhone / iPad — same exact cable Apple includes in iPhone / iPad boxes (older Lightning-era boxes)
  • Durable Lightning connector — Lightning's symmetric design + sturdy housing typically lasts longer than legacy 30-pin or micro-USB connectors
  • 1m + 2m length options — 1m for desktop / nightstand use; 2m (MFKE2AM/A) for bed-to-wall or longer routes
  • USB-A connector — works with any USB-A port: legacy iPhone in-box wall adapter, USB-A car charger, USB-A laptop port, USB-A wall outlet, USB-A power strip
  • Apple warranty preservation — using genuine Apple cables avoids any third-party cable-related warranty disputes
  • Apple Store + authorized reseller wide availability — replaces lost / damaged cable from any Apple Store, Best Buy, Target, Costco, B&H, Adorama
  • 1-year Apple limited warranty on cable defects

Where the Lightning to USB Cable Specifically Fits

  • iPhone 5-14 owners needing replacement charging / sync cable
  • iPad Lightning generation (4-9, mini 1-5, Air 2-3, Pro 1-2) charging
  • AirPods 1st/2nd gen Lightning case charging
  • AirPods Pro 1st gen case charging (the Lightning case variant)
  • Magic Mouse 2 charging (Lightning port on bottom)
  • Magic Keyboard with Lightning charging
  • Magic Trackpad 2 Lightning charging
  • Travel / spare charging cable — duplicates the in-box cable for second location
  • Car charger USB-A use — pair with car USB-A port + Lightning device
  • Hotel / Airbnb travel charging — universal USB-A wall adapters everywhere
  • Office desktop second cable — keep one at home + one at office
  • Older USB-A laptop charging — pre-USB-C MacBook charging via the USB-A port

Honest Limits Buyers Should Know

  • iPhone 15+ uses USB-C — Lightning cable does NOT fit. Apple transitioned iPhone 15 to USB-C in 2023; the Lightning cable is end-of-life for current iPhone owners. iPhone 15+ users need USB-C cable instead
  • USB 2.0 data speed only (~480 Mbps). Slow for video file transfer + iCloud photo upload via USB. For fast sync, use Wi-Fi sync, AirDrop, or USB-C Lightning iPad with USB-C cable
  • No USB-PD fast charging on iPhone via Lightning. Standard 5W or 12W charging via USB-A. For 18W+ fast charging on Lightning iPhone (XS+, 11+), use USB-C-to-Lightning cable + USB-C-PD wall adapter
  • Cable wear at the L-bend near the Lightning plug. Apple's white plastic strain relief is notorious for fraying after 1-3 years of daily use. Inspect periodically; replace before exposed wire shorts
  • Apple-genuine premium vs third-party MFi-certified. Apple cables ~$19-29 (1m). MFi-certified third-party (Anker, Belkin, Aukey) ~$8-15. Functionally identical performance; premium pays for Apple direct support + warranty
  • Counterfeit risk on third-party marketplaces. Buy from Amazon Direct, Apple Store, Best Buy, Target, B&H, Adorama. Counterfeit Apple cables in Amazon Marketplace / eBay frequently fail MFi authentication after iOS updates
  • USB-A only — modern USB-C laptops / wall adapters need adapter or different cable. Modern MacBooks (M-series) have USB-C ports only; charging an older Lightning device requires USB-A-to-USB-C adapter or USB-C-to-Lightning cable instead
  • No braided / reinforced cable jacket on standard Apple cable. Apple's plastic jacket wears faster than braided alternatives (Anker PowerLine+, Belkin Boost Charge Pro)
  • Lightning is end-of-life on Apple's roadmap. Future Apple devices all transitioning to USB-C. Long-term investment in Lightning is limited
  • No reversible USB-A end (still standard USB-A). Plug orientation matters on USB-A side (vs USB-C which is reversible)

Where Buyers Should Look Elsewhere

  • iPhone 15+ / current iPad Pro / Air USB-C → Apple USB-C Charge Cable, Apple USB-C to USB-C Cable
  • USB-C-to-Lightning for USB-C-PD fast charging → Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (MXLP2AM/A 1m, MXKL2AM/A 2m)
  • Premium braided / reinforced cable → Anker PowerLine+, Belkin BoostCharge Pro, Cygnett Lightspeed
  • MFi-certified budget → Anker / Aukey / Belkin MFi cables (~$10-15 vs Apple $19-29)
  • Long cable (3m / 10ft) → Anker PowerLine III Flow 10ft, Belkin BoostCharge Pro 10ft
  • Magnetic / breakaway cable → MagSafe or third-party magnetic charging cables (varies by device support)
  • Multi-cable USB-A-to-Lightning + USB-A-to-USB-C combo → Anker / Belkin multi-tip charging cables
  • Pure budget (compromise on certification) → no-name non-MFi cables (high counterfeit risk; iPhone often rejects after updates — NOT recommended)

Sources & Citations

  1. Apple, "Lightning to USB Cable (1 m) product page," apple.com (accessed 2026-05-19)
  2. Apple Support, "Charge your iPhone and iPad with USB," support.apple.com (accessed 2026-05-19)
  3. MacRumors, "Apple Lightning cable buyer's guide," macrumors.com (accessed 2026-05-19)
  4. The Wirecutter (NYT), "Best Lightning cables for iPhone and iPad," nytimes.com/wirecutter (accessed 2026-05-19)

Last verified: 2026-05-19

Now that you've seen the details — ready to take a closer look?

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Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Genuine Apple MFi certification ensures full Lightning authentication — no "uncertified accessory" prompts interrupting charging or sync sessions.
  • The 1-meter length is the practical sweet spot for desk and bedside use — long enough to use a device while charging, tidy enough to avoid tangling.
  • USB 2.0 sync is reliable for transferring photos and performing iTunes/Finder backups on macOS or Windows without speed bottlenecks for typical file sizes.
  • Compatible with the full Lightning device range — iPhones, standard iPads, AirPods charging cases, and iPod touch — consolidating to a single cable type.
  • Apple build quality on the connector and strain relief tends to outlast cheaper third-party cables under normal daily use conditions.

👎 Cons

  • USB 2.0 is the ceiling — data transfer maxes out at 480 Mbps, which makes large photo library syncs and backups measurably slower than USB 3.0 alternatives.
  • The USB-A connector is incompatible with modern MacBooks and USB-C-only hubs without an adapter, reducing plug-and-play convenience for current Mac users.
  • Does not support USB Power Delivery — charging speed is limited to the 5W output of standard USB-A ports, regardless of the power adapter used.
  • Lightning as a connector standard is being phased out; this cable has no forward compatibility with iPhone 15 and later or USB-C iPad models.
  • One meter may feel short when charging from a wall outlet with a vertically mounted power strip or an outlet positioned low on the wall.

Frequently Asked Questions

This cable uses USB 2.0, which supports a maximum data transfer rate of 480 Mbps and charge delivery limited by the USB-A port's power output — typically 5W from a standard USB-A charger. It does not support USB 3.0 speeds or fast charging protocols like USB Power Delivery. For faster charging, you need a USB-C to Lightning cable paired with a USB-C power adapter.
Yes — this is a genuine Apple cable bearing the MFi certification. It will not trigger the "this accessory may not be supported" warning that third-party uncertified cables commonly produce on iOS devices. It communicates fully with the Lightning authentication chip in Apple devices.
Any Apple device with a Lightning connector: iPhone (up to the Lightning-era models), iPad (non-USB-C models), AirPods (Lightning charging case), and iPod touch. It is not compatible with USB-C iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPhone 15 and later, which use USB-C.
No — this cable has a USB-A connector on the computer end. To use it with a USB-C power adapter or a Mac with only USB-C ports, you'll need a USB-A to USB-C adapter. Apple sells USB-C power adapters separately, but they require a USB-C to Lightning cable for direct use.
One meter (roughly 3 feet) is well-suited for charging from a desktop or nightstand, and connecting to a laptop. It's short enough to stay tidy on a desk but may feel restrictive if your USB port is farther than arm's length from where you use the device.

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