How To Use Lightning Headphones on Laptop

The headphones that come with a standard iPhone nowadays are not like most headphones. As you already know, they use Apple's lightning adapter.

While this makes it easier to waterproof the iPhone, and you will be able to use your headphones with your iPhone effortlessly, it makes it so that you can't use your iPhone headphones on much else other than a modern mac with the same ports.

This is a common complaint with Apple products.

Here's the bottom line if you're asking how to use lighting headphones with a normal 3.5mm audio jack, you can't (at least not yet)

Lightning headphones come in handy when transferring data from an iPad and iPhone to a laptop. Walking around with hanging cables and adapters isn't for most Apple product users, especially when outdoors. Sometimes it might pose as a daunting task, luckily we have the perfect method to connect a lightning headphone to your laptop.

The most convenient option is perhaps equipping yourself with headphones that come with their Lightning connector. The lightning headphones range from simple in-ear to high-end hi-fi models. Lightning headphones come with the unique advantage of moving from the outdated 16-bit audio format to the breathtaking high-resolution 24-bit format. The high resolution can be closely comparable to the original recordings created in a studio.

An adapter connects and transfers information between two different devices. For you to connect a laptop with an apple lightning headphone, you will need a USB adapter. 

Additionally, to connect lightning headphones to the PC, your adapter should have the following features. 

1. The USB adjacent must be Male to support your laptop's USB port
2. The lightning adjacent must be Female for you to plug in lighting headphones

While shopping for an adapter, carefully read through its functionality.

With a power port headphone adapter, purchase a product that supports using a mic and headphones with your device. Most adapters from apple manufactures are compatible with charging only and data transfer.

Type of Adaptors

USB A Adapter

Some laptops come with a USB A port. However, USB-C ports have gained popularity thanks to their technological advancement.

That's not the end of the road for folks using devices that still have USB A ports. However in this case, you need to equip yourself with both types of adapters.

Let’s not forget that the popularity of the USB C adapter has made it challenging to come across a USB A adapter. As a result, let’s blend in with the new inventions. 

USB C Adapter

USB C ports stretch back before the innovation of lightning headphones. Numerous Apple devices come with USB C ports. With these adapters taking over the market, it's advisable to equip yourself with a USB C adapter. Additionally, you will be able to use the advanced headphones with your previous Apple products.

The USB C ports are not limited to Apple products. Numerous laptop brands have started blending in with the new technology. 

How To Connect Lightning Headphones To Laptop with USB

There is one way you CAN use lighting headphones with a laptop. To use lightning headphones with a laptop, you need an adapter that allows you to turn the lightning cable into a USB cable. If you have a computer capable of outputting audio through a USB port, use the adapter to plug your lightning headphones in there.

The Lightning Port to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Work Around...Why Can't You Do It?

The truth about using lighting headphones with a laptop is that an adapter might come along in the future, but as of right now, you cannot effectively use lighting headphones with a laptop.

As of now, there isn't an adapter that allows you to switch your lightning headphones to work with a traditional laptop...but why? 

The end of your lightning headphones uses the same connector as your iPhone charger. The first thing you need to buy in order to make your lightning headphones work on a normal laptop is a lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack converter.

It is easy enough to find adapters that allow you to plug normal headphones into a lightning port, but not the other way around.

The lightning adapter does more than just transmit audio information, which is why getting it converted to a a headphone jack is so difficult. 

It would be like asking for an HDMI to headphone jack converter, it just doesn't make sense.  

>> Related Content: Best Lightning Headphones

Are Lightning Headphones Worth It?

Whether you love Apple or not, they do seem to make their customers jump through hoops to use their products.

While it does make users marry Apple, and create a new level of brand loyalty. It also creates issues. 

If you want to use lightning headphones on a laptop that doesn't have a lightning headphone port, you're SOL. 

Get yourself a regular pair of headphones, and call it a day.

To see some of the best headphones based on your price range, check out our guides:

• Best Headphones Under $50
• Best Headphones Under $200
• Best Headphones Under $300
• Best Headphones Under $500

Benefits of Using Lightning Headphones

Now that we have covered the products and methods to connect the lightning headphone on your laptop, one question remains, is the hassle worth it?

Well, the answer entirely depends on your preferences. 

Using other electronics such as windows and android might prove more comfortable and easy to operate. These electronics are readily available in the market from gadgets, connectors, headphones, and adapters. There is no rocket science needed to use the products either.

If you fancy Apple products, then there is no struggle in using lightning headphones.

Additionally, Apple devices are secure and come with sensational features. IPhone users rarely change their products. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of lighting over regular headphones.

Pros

• Lightning headphones come with high resolution and outstanding audio quality
• You enjoy a reversible connection with a lightning headphone
• The headphones support a hi-fi connection
•  You can freely move without interruptions from tangling wires
• It goes without saying Apple products are a status symbol

Cons

• The main drawback with lightning headphones is the hindered compatibility with devices other than Apple products.
• They are way too expensive for having such limited usage.
• You can't charge your device while connected to lighting headphones.

Tell Us Your Thoughts

How do you feel about this issue with Apple Lightning headphones? Let us know if you know of a work around (that you've tested and confirmed!) in the comments section below.