Lightning is an all-digital 8-pin connector, that can, unlike the 30-pin dock connector, be inserted into the device with either side facing up. The 4th-generation iPad and the 1st-generation iPad mini were added as Lightning devices in October 2012. Devices that were intially compatible with the connector were the iPhone 5, 5th-generation iPod touch, and the 7th-generation iPod nano. The connector was introduced as a replacement for the 30-pin dock connector for all new hardware that were announced at the same event. The Lightning connector was introduced by Apple during a special media event on September 12, 2012. In 2018, Apple began phasing out the use of Lightning connectors in favor of USB-C with the 3rd-generation iPad Pro. Lightning received a mixed to negative reception from the technology community, largely due to its incompatibility with any common standards, and the resulting necessity to possess a separate cable for use with Apple devices introduced after 2012. It is significantly more compact than the 30-pin connector. Lightning uses 8 pins rather than 30, and can be inserted with either face up. It replaces Apple's previous proprietary 30-pin dock connector and is incompatible with cables and peripherals designed for that connector, unless used with an adapter or dongle. It was also adopted by the 5th-generation iPod touch, the 7th-generation iPod nano, the 4th-generation iPad, the iPad Air, the iPad mini, and subsequent models. USB-C ( iPad Air, mini, Pro) Lightning is a proprietary computer bus and power connector developed by Apple and was released on September 21, 2012, alongside the iPhone 5 for its range of mobile consumer products.

Apple lightning cable model number