This Phone Case Lets Older iPhones Connect Via USB-C

If you own any Apple device since 2023’s iPhone 15 series, you’ll have access to a USB-C port. Those rocking an older handset are instead using a Lightning port, but there’s now a new accessory to give that phone the benefits of USB-C.

Designer and engineer Ken Pillonel originally became known in tech circles for devising and modding the first iPhone with a USB-C port years before the company officially made the switch. Now, he’s back with a phone case with a brand named Obsoless.

The accessory is a two-part, snap-on case that comes with the USB-C connector built into the right-hand side of the bottom edge. It costs between $45 and $55, depending on iPhone size. The brand ships to the US, but only sells in Swiss francs, making the pricing unpredictable.

The Obsoless case allows for fast charging up to 9V. It's compatible with MagSafe and CarPlay and can transfer data to your computer.

Don't expect anything else to work, though. The brand notes, “Any other accessory that requires power from the phone is not compatible. You will have to remove the case and use the Lightning port for that. That includes things like wired audio devices, external storage, or displays. This is because those functions are locked to only work through Apple adapters.”

Remember that switching to a USB-C port may also mean you need to upgrade some of your accessories if they're exclusively built for a Lightning port. You'll have to do this when moving to a more modern iPhone anyway, but it may mean you're unable to use some of your gadgets.

The case is currently sold out, but Obsoless says there’s more stock coming toward the end of August, and it encourages you to sign up for email updates.

The cases are built for older devices, including the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, as well as the iPhone SE 2nd Gen. All of those devices run the latest iOS 18 software, but only the SE model is set to get iOS 26 when it launches later this year.