What does the abbreviation MFi mean?

MFi is a certification for accessories that are compatible with Apple's mobile devices.

The abbreviation stands for "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" and was introduced for the iPod in 2005. The standard is intended to protect consumers from the use of counterfeits and the resulting damage to devices. In 2007, the certification was extended to include the specifications of this product series with the release of the iPhone. Further changes were made with the market launch of the iPad and the MFi abbreviation has finally established itself as a certification since the establishment of the Lightning connector. With the launch of iOS 7 for mobile devices in 2013, the standard also became effective for peripheral devices such as game controllers.

Accessories, such as charging cables, adapters or headphones, which are either manufactured by Apple itself or by authorised third-party suppliers, are marked with the MFi certificate on the packaging.

What are the possible consequences of using products without the MFi logo?

Apple expressly warns against using accessories that are not "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad". Only MFi-certified products can guarantee the safe functioning of your devices. We therefore advise you to stay away from counterfeit and cheap products. Although original Apple charging cables are relatively expensive, they can prove to be particularly durable if used carefully.

Counterfeit cables can be more vulnerable overall than certified products. Faulty connections can, for example, lead to overheating or break off when pulled out of your device and cause costly subsequent repairs. In general, counterfeit cables cannot guarantee correct charging or synchronisation of your data. To avoid damaging your Apple devices, we recommend using original and MFi-certified accessories.

How you can recognise counterfeits

If you want to buy new accessories, we recommend that you first take a look at the packaging. Products with the certified MFi standard are labelled with the corresponding logo. Lightning cables originally produced by Apple are also always labelled with a logo. This indicates the production location, either China, Vietnam or Brazil, as well as the words "Designed by Apple in California" and a serial number with 12 digits. The labelling is located approximately 18 centimetres from the USB connection of the cable.

On its support page, Apple lists further factors that should be taken into account when evaluating accessories. For cables from third-party suppliers, you should make sure that the company's own logo is on the connector end of the Lightning port. This is a first indication that you can use it without hesitation. You should also pay close attention to the design of the Lightning and USB connections on your cables. In a cable manufactured or certified by Apple, the contacts of the Lightning connector end are made from a single piece and have a smooth surface. Counterfeits, on the other hand, are often made from several components and are characterised by unevenness on the surface or angular contacts. Furthermore, the anti-kink sleeve of the connector should correspond to the standardised dimensions of 7.7 by 12 millimetres.

Make sure that the metal part of the USB connections on your cables has trapezoidal teeth and that they are at the same distance from the edge. The contacts on MFi cables are always gold-plated and the surfaces of the metal and insulation are even and flat. With the adapters for the 30-pin connections, you should also pay attention to the quality of the Lightning contact. You can also recognise Apple products by a laser engraving of the company logo and the fact that the Lightning connector is flush with the adapter. For the adapter plugs that allow you to connect your Apple device with a micro USB cable, it is recommended that you only use the adapter offered by the manufacturer. The InLine shop only sells cables and other accessories that are MFi-certified.

InLine products with Mfi certification

InLine® Lightning USB Cable, for iPad, iPhone, iPod, MFi-Certified

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Item no.: 3851993171

InLine® USB-C Lightning cable, for iPad, iPhone, iPod, MFi certified

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Item no.: 1081974600

InLine® 3-in-1 USB Cable, USB-A M to Micro-USB+USB-C+Lightning, black/aluminium

Flexible charging and synchronizing with three connectors in one cable Three connectors in one cable: Connection for Lightning, USB-C and Micro-USB without swapping adapters. Simultaneous charging and data synchronization: Charge and synchronize smar...

Item no.: 31415S