How to Fix "This Accessory May Not Be Supported" on iPhone

Find out what to do if your iPhone says "this accessory may not be supported" when charging or using other accessories.

If you’re an iPhone, iPad, or iPod user, chances are you have encountered an alert saying “this accessory may not be supported” a few times. Usually, the alert pops up after you plug your iPhone in to charge. But it could also appear when you’re trying to use headphones or other accessories.

Sometimes, this error goes away on its own. Other times, you’re stuck with a device that won’t charge or play music through the headphones.

In this guide, we’ll look at some reasons why this alert pops up on your iPhone, and what you can do to fix the problem permanently.

What Does “This Accessory May Not Be Supported” Mean?

There are a few reasons you might see a message saying “accessory may not be supported,” “this accessory is not supported by this device,” or something similar. Here are some of the potential causes:

• Your accessory is faulty, damaged, or not MFi-certified.
• Your device’s operating system is outdated or malfunctioning.
• The accessory is not compatible with your device.
• Your iOS device has a dirty or damaged Lightning port.
• Your accessory is outdated. If Apple has stopped the production of an accessory, it may become incompatible with the devices still on the market.

Now let’s go through some ways to fix the “accessory not supported” error.

1. Unplug and Reconnect the Device

One of the first fixes to try when your accessory is not supported is to unplug and reconnect the accessory.

Tap the Dismiss button to clear the alert and pull the accessory out of your iPhone’s Lightning port. Then plug it back in to see if the same alert appears.

2. Restart Your iPhone

Minor software glitches could also trigger the “accessory not supported” alert. Restarting your iPhone could fix these software issues.

To restart an iPhone 8 or earlier, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button, then swipe the power icon across the screen from left to right.

It's pretty much the same process to restart the iPhone X and later models, except you press and hold the Side button and a Volume button until Slide to power off appears.

Wait for about 30 seconds, then turn your iPhone back on and try connecting your accessory again.

3. Clean Your Charging Port

If the alert continues to appear, check the connector on your accessory and the port on your device for any dirt or debris. You may need to clean your charging port.

Many times, a buildup of dirt in the Lightning port prevents accessories from making contact and triggers the error alert you’re getting.

Related: Reasons Why Your Phone Is Charging Slowly

Get a flashlight and take a close look inside your iPhone’s Lightning port. If you see any particles or debris inside the Lightning port, try cleaning it out.

How Do I Clean My iPhone Charging Port?

Use an anti-static brush, a Q-tip, or a new toothbrush to clean out particles that are clogging up your iPhone’s Lightning port. Once you’ve cleaned it out, try plugging your accessory in again.

4. Get MFi-Certified Accessories

You may get an “accessory not supported” alert if you're using counterfeit accessories. To prevent this, make sure that the charging cable and accessories you’re using to charge your iPhone with are MFi-certified, meaning they were made according to Apple’s design standards.

MFi means Made for iPhone, iPad, or iPad.

How can you tell if your Apple accessories are MFi-certified? Apple provides in-depth guides for sussing out fake iPhone accessories. But the easy method is that MFi-certified accessories have a discerning badge on the packaging.

Also, if the accessories are suspiciously cheap, they are probably fake.

The bottom line is: if you buy an iPhone, iPad, or iPod cable, or any other Apple accessory for less than $4, it's probably not Apple-approved. Apart from the minor inconvenience of not charging your iPhone, these cables can also cause serious damage to your iPhone.

As much as possible, stick to charging your iPhone with the cable that it came with. If the cable your iPhone came with isn’t working, you can exchange it for a new one at your local Apple Store.

However, many iPhone users prefer other brands of charging cables because the Apple cables can be very fragile. They fray and bend easily, and because they cost a pretty penny, paying for a new one every time can be expensive.

You could try to fix the frayed iPhone cable, or get a durable third-party cable to charge your iPhone or iPad instead.

5. Make Sure Your Accessory Is Compatible

If the accessory you’re trying to use is new, confirm that it is designed to work with your device. Some accessories only work with certain models of iPhone, iPad, or iPod. If you're not sure, contact the manufacturer.

This is another reason to get accessories from certified outlets. They provide helpful details and guidance while choosing the accessory and after-sale support is more likely to be available to you.

6. Update Your iPhone’s iOS

Some accessories require the latest version of iOS to work. Make sure that you update to the latest version of iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check if a software update is available. If it is, you can begin the update process by tapping Download and Install.

7. Try Another Accessory

This one may sound a little obvious, but when your phone won’t charge, the temporary panic can make you abandon logic. If your cable is acting up, you could borrow one from a neighbor or friend and try that with your device instead.

An “accessory may not be supported” alert could be caused by a faulty accessory. Check for frays or discoloration on the accessory; many times, these are signs that something is wrong with it.

8. Check the Adapter

The “accessory may not be supported” alert could also indicate an issue with your iPhone’s power adapter, not the Lightning cable. Look for signs of damage inside the USB port on your iPhone’s charger.

As mentioned earlier, use an anti-static brush or new toothbrush to clean out any dirt, lint, or other debris.

If All Else Fails, Take Your iPhone for Repair

If your iPhone still says “this accessory may not be supported” after you’ve tried all of the steps above, it’s possible that your iPhone Lightning port is damaged and needs to be repaired.

If you have an AppleCare plan, contact Apple Support to make an appointment at an Apple Store near you and have a technician examine the iPhone.

Be sure to let the technician know if your iPhone has been exposed to liquid recently, as this may also prompt the “accessory not supported” alert. Some iPhone users take water contact lightly because they assume their devices are waterproof, but they aren't. iPhones are water-resistant and could still be damaged if exposed to water.

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