So, you put your iPhone (5, 6, 7, 8, X) on charge or connected your headphones, but something went wrong. The device stopped charging and gave an error - "This accessory is probably not supported" appears on your iPhone screen. In this article, I will talk about the causes of this error and how to fix it.
The message “This accessory is probably not supported” appears on your iPhone screen when you try to connect the accessory to the device through the Lightning port (charging port). There can be several reasons for this error:
- Your accessory is not MFi certified.
- Your iPhone software has crashed.
- Your accessory is dirty, damaged or broken.
- The iPhone's Lightning port is dirty, damaged, or broken.
- The accessory you are trying to connect is dirty, damaged or broken.
The steps below will help you determine the cause of the error and fix it.
Is your accessory MFi certified?
In most cases, the "This accessory is probably not supported" message appears a few seconds after you plug your iPhone into a power source to charge the device. Often the problem is with a cable that doesn't have an MFi certification - in other words, the cable hasn't been quality tested by Apple and doesn't meet branded product standards.
Charging cables that are sold at gas stations or in small shops usually do not have MFi certifications, as they are made from the cheapest materials. In some cases, they can even cause significant damage to your iPhone by overheating it. On the other hand, buying an original cable is quite expensive.
It is recommended that you only charge your iPhone with the cable that came with your device. If this cable is defective, then you can exchange it for a new one at any Apple Store, but provided that the iPhone was insured under the AppleCare program. Otherwise, you must purchase a new MFi-certified charging cable separately.
It's possible that "This accessory is probably not supported" on iPhone is due to a minor software glitch. The fact is that when you connect an accessory to the Lightning port, it is the software that determines the type of accessory and its functions.
Try it, it may help fix some system errors. On iPhone 8 and earlier devices, to do this, hold down the power button, and then move the power off icon on the screen from left to right. The procedure on the iPhone X is almost the same, only here you need to hold down the side button and the volume up or down button until it says “Power off”, which you need to swipe from left to right.
Wait 15-30 seconds, and then turn on the smartphone by holding the power button (for iPhone 8 and earlier models) or the side button (iPhone X). Once the device has fully booted up, try connecting the accessory again.
If it works, then it was a short-term system failure! If you again saw an error alert on the iPhone screen, then you need to proceed to the next step.
Check accessory
Now that you've verified that your cable is MFi-certified and that the problem isn't related to your smartphone's software, it's time to check the accessory itself. In most cases, the error "This accessory is probably not supported" appears when you connect the charging cable.
However, any device or accessory that connects to the iPhone via the Lightning port can cause this issue. It's a good idea to inspect the Lightning connector (the part of the accessory that plugs into the Lightning port) of the accessory you're trying to connect.
Does it show signs of wear? If yes, then this is the problem of connecting the accessory to the iPhone. More recently, I experienced this as well, as a damaged charging cable caused a "This accessory is probably not supported" error on my iPhone, even though I bought the cable from the official Apple store.
The Lightning connector can be damaged due to contact with liquid, so if you accidentally spill a drink on the accessory, this may cause a connection error.
If you are sure that the problem lies in the charging cable, then I advise you to inspect the USB tip. Did you notice dirt, dust or small debris on it? Clean it using a new toothbrush or an anti-static brush.
Take a flashlight and take a closer look at the Lightning port. If you see even a hint of dust or debris, thoroughly clean the port with an unused toothbrush or anti-static brush.
Check your iPhone charger
If your iPhone is throwing a "This accessory is probably not supported" error when you try to charge it, the problem may be with the charger itself and not with the Lightning cable. Examine the charger's USB port. As with the situation above, use an anti-static brush or a new toothbrush to clean out the port.
Also check if iPhone works with other chargers. If the smartphone gives an error only when connecting one specific device, then it is quite possible that this is the case.
If a window that says "This accessory is probably not supported" pops up when you connect different chargers, then it's safe to say that the cause of the error is not in them.
Update iOS on your iPhone
Some accessories (especially those released by Apple) require a specific version of iOS, without which they simply will not be able to connect to the iPhone. If the version installed on the smartphone is faulty or out of date, the easiest solution is to update the firmware. To wrap around the device, do the following:
1. Go to "Settings" → section "General".
Users of Apple technology (iPhone, iPad, iPod) can often see a message on the screen of their gadget: "This accessory is probably not supported."
There are a couple more types of similar notifications, but they usually appear for the same reason. Let's tell you why it appears and how to deal with such a problem.
Reasons for the message: "This accessory is probably not supported"
Well, I'll start with a little background and talk a little about charging cables for our favorite Apple gadgets. I think everyone knows perfectly well that at first it was 30-pin cables and starting with the iPhone 5, the Lightning era began.
How many years this technique has existed, so many years you can observe user complaints about these cables. And the thing is that the complete version can turn into something terrible in just a couple of months.
The reason for this may be the daily use and the materials that are used. Apple has always fought for the purity of nature and therefore, the cable jacket is made from a material that is not harmful to the environment. 
Although some people manage to use standard cables long enough and then you start to think that they are wizards.
So, getting to the point, when a cable breaks, it is really expensive to buy a new branded cable and people buy Chinese versions. They are quite cheap and you can immediately stock up in advance.
In fact, this is the main reason for the message "This cable is not certified, and its reliability is not guaranteed." Now let's take a closer look at everything and even more:
- Just the first reason for such a message is a Chinese cheap cable. Very often people buy this type of cables and then have problems.
In the best case, the phone will charge and everything will be fine. But there is a high probability that you can harm your device and it will definitely not end in anything good.
By the way, it happens that the Chinese cable works with one version of iOS. But when you update, just a notification appears.
- Also, these kinds of messages appear if the standard Lightning is damaged. If you see that the cable is damaged or just old, then this is the reason.
- Well, in the worst case, something happened to the connector itself. If the phone fell, water got there and many similar situations.
Here are some moments and let's move on to solving these problems. After all, there are ways out of the situation and I will gladly share this information.
What to do in such a situation?
The coolest thing is that sometimes even with a cable without damage, such a message may also appear and then you just need to try to implement everything again and there is a high probability that everything will work fine.
This is a way out of the simplest situation, and therefore now we will consider solving the problems from the previous section:
That is, in principle, all the situations that may arise in general. I described the most popular options, but I think something else could happen to people.
Results
So if the message “This accessory is not supported” appears on your iPhone or iPad, then you should not worry at all and just follow my advice.
I think all normal experts who understand technology will tell you exactly the same things. So take care of your devices and use quality accessories.
So, you once again needed to recharge your Apple device, but this time the message “This accessory is probably not supported” was displayed on its display. What is this error, why did it occur and how to fix it - we will consider all this in our today's article.
Causes of the "This accessory is probably not supported" error
There are usually several possible causes for this problem:
- A cheap replacement for the original Apple Lightning cable. Some substitutes can work great and last a long time. However, some of them are categorically rejected by the iPhone or iPad.
- Damage to the original Lightning cable. It's no secret that Lightning cables wear out incredibly quickly. Some users claim that it doesn’t even take six months for their Lightning cable (the place near the connector) to wear out and become unusable.
- Damaged or dirty port for charging the device. Dust, dirt, or moisture may have gotten into the port under the Lightning cable, resulting in the "This accessory is probably not supported" error.
Fixing "This accessory is probably not supported" error
Reconnecting the Lightning cable
So, this problem is solved in most cases quite simply. First of all, you should try to simply reconnect your device to the Lightning cable several times to try to get rid of the error. Some users have reported that after reconnecting the charger to their iPhone or iPad several times, the "This accessory is probably not supported" error has disappeared.
Changing USB port on Mac or PC
Let's say you encounter the "This accessory is probably not supported" error while connecting your iPhone or iPad to your PC/Mac. A possible cause of this problem could be a bad USB port.
Try plugging your Apple device into a different USB port and see what happens. If the connection error has disappeared, then you may have some problems directly with the USB port itself on your computer / MacBook.
Some users strongly recommend trying the following: Connect the Lightning cable to your iPhone or iPad. Wait until the "This accessory is probably not supported" error appears on the display again. Then reboot your device with the charging cable connected. Once it turns back on, check for an error. Here's a tricky way people get around this problem from time to time.
Error message trick
So, if none of the above helped to solve the “This accessory is probably not supported” error, then you can resort to one little trick with its message itself. Connect the Lightning cable to the Apple device and wait for the error to appear.
As soon as it appears, press and hold the "Close" button on the display, and then disconnect the Lightning cable from the device. Then reconnect and see if the problem has been fixed. This method helps very few, but, as users note, it sometimes works.
Cleaning the charging port on your device
As we have already stated in the reasons, the “This accessory is probably not supported” error can appear due to a dirty charging port on your iPhone or iPad. You can solve the problem by simply cleaning the connection port.
Take something like a paperclip and gently try to clean the Lightning connector on the device from anything that might be there. Perhaps dust has collected there or something has got there that does not allow you to establish a correct connection with the device.
Once you're done cleaning, try connecting the Lightning cable to your iPhone or iPad again. Pollution is the second most common cause of this problem. However, if this was not the case, then we have sad news for you.
Replacing the Lightning cable
Ok, nothing seems to help and you can't charge your Apple phone or tablet. Using the elimination method, it is not difficult to guess what is the reason for the error “This accessory is probably not supported” - a Lightning cable or a port for it on the device.
If you are using some third-party cable, not from Apple, then try replacing it with the original one. Yes, this solution will cost you much more, but it will definitely solve the problem. If you use the original cable, then it could simply be damaged. Apple users constantly complain that the Lightning cable fails incredibly quickly. In this case, you will need to find a new Lightning cable.
Well, if you understand that it's not the cable, then it definitely lies in the port on the device. It could be damaged due to some events, after which it became impossible to connect the charger to the phone. If you think that this is the case, then we recommend that you contact the service center.
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Apple has long been a world leader in the mobile device market. Even with the fact that the products are quite expensive, they are still in high demand. There are many reasons for this. First of all, the company's developers offer users innovative technologies, unique design, and excellent technical characteristics. The indisputable advantage of gadgets is their high quality and reliability.
It is considered prestigious to have devices from Apple. Therefore, most people who are able to afford a smartphone or tablet from this company are truly proud of their purchase. But lately, they have often been frustrated by the error notification that appears on the screen when connecting, for example, a cable.
What does "This accessory is probably not supported" mean? Every iPhone owner can face this problem. What is the reason for such an error? Let's figure it out.
Features of the iOS operating system
iOS is a closed system. It is installed only on Apple devices. After studying all the nuances, users have dual feelings - admiration and contradiction. For example, devices running on iOS are resistant to various kinds of virus attacks. How many people, so many opinions. Therefore, disagreements cannot be avoided.
It is quite difficult to really evaluate this system because of its closeness. However, what can be said with absolute certainty is that the developers have done everything possible to protect users. If you look at it from one side, then such actions are an indisputable advantage. However, most often they create certain problems.
Relatively recently, iPhone owners began to encounter an error accompanied by the appearance of a message on the screen. Its content is as follows: "This accessory is probably not supported." The original cable, which is manufactured by Apple, does not cause such problems. But when buying third-party accessories, the system automatically recognizes a threat to the device. Most often, this is what causes the error message to appear.
The first swallows
For the first time, this problem began to manifest itself in smartphones running on the seventh version of iOS. It was at this time that the developers began an active struggle with unofficial accessories that could be used for "apple" gadgets. This list also includes non-original iPhone charging. "This accessory is probably not supported" - such a message could be seen when connecting it.
But iOS7 still worked with such accessories, and already in the ninth version, changes were applied that led to the fact that the devices completely ceased to function.
Cable with Lightning port
By and large, this problem has become widespread after Apple's transition to new cables that are equipped with a Lightning port. It was when using them that gadget owners first encountered a similar error. Inscriptions began to appear on the screen with the content: "This accessory is probably not supported."
iPhone 5S - the first victim, which resulted in a lot of negativity from users. On the net you can find a large number of reviews on this topic. Ordinary people do not understand what the fight against unofficial accessories is for. However, if we consider this issue much deeper, we can learn about such cases when expensive gadgets failed due to low-quality cables. Moreover, not only the batteries broke, but the devices themselves turned into a “brick”. The worst thing about all this is that even the owners were injured.
Currently, most trading platforms are selling fakes. Sometimes you can find Apple products at a low price. However, the low cost indicates that this device is not original. Based on this, the company found the only way out in the fight against fraudsters, protecting both its products and users as much as possible.
Lack of MFi support
The certification system has become the only solution that has made it possible to protect iPhone owners from low-quality accessories. The latter are currently causing great harm not only to users, but also negatively affect the stability of consumer demand. Doubts about the quality of Apple products have already begun to appear. However, you need to understand that the problem is not at all in the smartphone if a message appears on the screen: “This accessory is probably not supported.”
iPhone 5S and other models report this error if Apple's "signature" is missing when connecting the cable. No handicraft accessory will be able to pass the certification. The check is carried out automatically. When the system searches for inconsistencies, the gadget simply turns off. In order to avoid such problems, it is necessary to use only original devices that are manufactured directly by Apple itself or its partners.
Accessory damage
If the iPhone says "This accessory is probably not supported," you need to check the cable for visible damage. Sometimes the problem is a violation of the port itself or the integrity of the wire insulation. Neither the original accessory nor the fake is insured against this. Surprisingly, even the slightest damage to the phone system can be regarded as critical. After the error is automatically detected, the gadget's work processes will be suspended, and a message will appear on the screen: "This accessory is probably not supported."
To avoid damage to the cable, it is recommended not to bend it during storage or use. The highest quality are those models that are equipped with a solid rubber braid or titanium. They are somewhat more expensive than other options, but have a longer service life.
"Jailbreak". Looking for a way to fix the problem
Unfortunately, nowadays no system is perfect, iOS is no exception. Although it has developed high-level protection, advanced users know how to get around some restrictions. In simple words, it is simply to hack the system. These actions are illegal, so the device will be denied warranty service. Before deciding to take such a step, it is necessary to weigh all the possible risks.
So, if you still want to use non-original accessories for the iPhone 5S and subsequent models, then you need to run the activator of non-certified Lightning cables on the gadget.
Step-by-step description of the “cheating” of the system:
- Jailbreak with TaiG.
- Open the Cydia directory.
- File storage must be updated.
- After that, go to the Source tab.
- Activate the installation of Support Unsupported Accessories by accepting the terms.
- After the process is completed, you should reboot the device.
If you implement this tweak on a smartphone, then the message "this accessory is probably not supported" will no longer appear on the screen. However, it must be understood that all responsibility for the manipulations carried out lies in general with the owner of the device. In the case of contacting a service center, he will most likely receive a denial of service or, as an alternative solution, he will be offered a paid repair.
Search for causes and their elimination
In order to protect yourself from such a mistake, you simply need to purchase a new high-quality cable, no matter how trite it may sound. However, if for some reason this is not possible, and the message "This accessory is probably not supported" constantly appears on the screen, then you can try some simple steps.
First of all, it is recommended to turn the cable over. Sometimes some of the contacts are damaged on one side, but remain working on the other. This method will not help get rid of the error for a long time, but it will function for several hours.
If you urgently need to charge the gadget, and an error message appears on the screen with the following content: “This accessory is probably not supported”, then you can simply turn off the smartphone. In this state, the operating system does not function, and the power controller will still supply current to the battery.
The cause of this error can be a rather banal problem - port pollution. Sometimes in the gadget, fine dirt or dust clogs directly into the connector itself. It is for this reason that the device no longer recognizes the connected cable. To fix the problem, simply clean the port.
Finally
This article examined the main reasons leading to an error in the functioning of the gadget if non-certified accessories for the iPhone 5S and other models from Apple were connected. It is important to understand that if a message appears, then the phone is not in danger of serious damage. Otherwise, the choice is yours: bypass the system and take risks or give preference to the original cable.
IOS is a controversial platform, causing a lot of controversy due to its closeness and devotion to the foundations of Apple. One thing cannot be taken away from the system for sure: strict observance of the standards set by the developer and user protection. Actually, protection sometimes becomes a subject of controversy. Recently, many users have encountered a massive problem, the “this accessory is probably not supported” error. Due to the reasons for its occurrence, it often raises questions from a certain category of users.
This is not a critical failure, do not panic. To begin with, it is worth figuring out what kind of error it is and where it came from. Its roots date back to iOS 7, when the Cupertino engineers began to crack down on unofficial cables for their phones. In those days, the message “this accessory is probably not supported” already popped up, but the accessories worked. In iOS 9, this feature has been changed so that the unsupported device no longer functions.
The problem is widespread among new cables with a Lightning port, and such have fallen victim to the message “This accessory is probably not supported”. iPhone 5 was one of the first to receive complaints about this.
The question arises, is this fight against unofficial cables really necessary? Yes, it is needed, there have been many cases when, due to low-quality wire, batteries were damaged, smartphones themselves were destroyed. There are also human casualties. It is impossible to fight scammers with other methods, even on the huge Amazon marketplace thousands of fakes are sold (often on behalf of Apple).
Causes of the error: lack of MFi support
Due to the increasing occurrence of low-quality accessories that negatively affect the user experience and harm iPhone owners, Apple has introduced a certification system for accessories. In general, the lack of a “signature” from Apple is the main reason for the message “this accessory is probably not supported”. The iPhone checks the certification automatically and turns off the gadget in case of any inconsistencies. In order to avoid the error, you need to purchase accessories developed by Apple itself or its partners (these are labeled Made for iPhone).
Causes of the error: damage to the accessory
There is another set of circumstances that can cause the “This accessory is probably not supported” message to appear, namely a compromised wire or port integrity. Moreover, even the official cable will not hide from such protection. Even the slightest damage to the insulation can be considered critical by the phone, and that, in turn, will prohibit it from functioning. Therefore, braided cables (titanium or hard rubber) are so popular.
Solving the problem using "Jailbreak"
The problem with unofficial cables for the iPhone is not at all a problem for those who own a hacked gadget. In order to deceive the system, you need to use a tweak, which is called the "Activator of non-certified Lightning cables" (the author, as well as the exact name, can be found on the Internet). The tweak is activated as follows:
- A jailbreak is being implemented (if one has not yet been installed).
- The Cydia app launches.
- Next, go to the Source submenu.
- As a repository, you need to add the address parrotgeek.net/repo.
- Find and install the tweak.
- Restart gadget.
In the future, the message “this accessory may not be supported” will no longer annoy the owner of the device. In this case, only the owner of the smartphone bears further responsibility and automatically forfeits any warranty.
Solving the problem without jailbreak
No matter how obvious and trite it may sound, the easiest and safest method is to buy a new, official or certified cable (or other accessory). If for some reason this is not possible and the device is not hacked, you can try to bypass the verification system.
For example, reverse the cable. It may happen that some of the contacts on one side of the cable are damaged, which is why it refuses to work. On the other side, the contacts may turn out to be quite working, which means that the cord will last a couple more days or hours. This problem often occurs with Chinese wires that burn out on the first day.
You can also turn off the gadget. This applies. In the off state, the power controller in the iPhone continues to supply current to the battery and charge it, but the operating system does not function, which means that there is no one to check the integrity of the wire and whether it has certification, therefore, the smartphone will be charged.
If all this does not help and it seems that the problem is not in the cable at all, you can try to clean the port from dust and fine dirt. It happens that pollution in the inside of the port causes problems in working with cable contacts.
These little tricks, of course, help solve the problem, and the annoying error that the iPhone gives out: “This accessory is probably not supported” will no longer be an eyesore. But the risks are great, no one can guarantee that a damaged or unofficial cable will not kill the battery, so you should first think carefully about getting an official one.
