What I did with 57 leftover Lightning cables after switching to USB-C

Nine years of Apple loyalty left me with an absurd collection of Lightning cables. I started with an iPhone 7 in 2016, when I switched from Android to Apple. Now I have an iPhone 15 Pro Max—the first iPhone that ditched the Lightning port.

Suddenly, I had dozens of cables with nothing to charge. I swapped my Apple peripherals for Logitech ones, too, which meant even fewer Lightning devices. I couldn't just throw the cables out, so I figured out ways to actually use them.

I kept a small stash for my older Apple gear

Some devices still need Lightning

I kept exactly three Lightning cables in my house. My Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse technically need them, though I rarely touch those anymore since switching to Logitech. But the main reason I kept any cables at all? I use my first-gen iPad Pro as a second monitor and my iPod Touch (7th generation). Yeah, I still have an iPod. Sometimes I charge it up just to relive the glory days. My kids will never get what iPods meant to people. Those three cables live in a drawer where I can grab them when I need them.

Even if you've mostly moved on from Lightning devices, keeping a few cables for your old gear makes sense. It is way better than tearing apart the garage and looking for one later. I don't use these devices every day, but when I do, having a cable handy is worth it.

I turned my cars into mobile charging stations

One cable per vehicle solved a problem

I put one Lightning cable in each of my cars. This turned out to be pretty smart. Passengers need them more than you'd think. Many people haven't upgraded past the iPhone 14, and they're often relieved when they can plug in.

This has been useful during college football season. When we're tailgating before games, friends need to top up their batteries after hours of taking photos and checking scores. That Lightning cable has saved the day more times than I can count. The same goes for carpools, road trips, and basically any time someone's riding with me.

I keep them tucked in the center console. That awkward "can I borrow your charger" conversation when someone's phone hits 1%? Problem solved. People notice and thank me more than I expected.

I became everyone's favorite cable benefactor

Giving away cables made me surprisingly popular

I started offering Lightning cables to anyone who needed one. Family members with older iPhones took extras to put on their bedside tables. Friends who needed another charger left with one. Even contractors doing work at my house went home with a cable if they had an older iPhone.

It became a running joke with people who know me. "Need a Lightning cable? I've got you covered." Most people were genuinely grateful. Nobody ever complains about having too many places to charge their phone. We've all been stuck with a dying battery and no cable in sight. Why not help solve that problem for someone else?

I cleared out probably half my stash this way. This was better than letting them sit in a drawer while other people could actually use them. It felt good to help people out.

I adapted some for my other devices

Cable adapters extended their usefulness

I put some Lightning cables to work using my universal cable adapter kit. I paired Lightning cables with adapters to create a modular charging system. I leave the Lightning cable plugged into the wall, then snap on whatever adapter I need.

My Kindle Paperwhite uses a micro-USB port, so I simply attach the micro-USB adapter to the Lightning cable. I keep the adapter connected to where I charge my Kindle. Some of my adapters handle USB-C too, so these Lightning cables can charge pretty much anything now.

This setup cuts down on cable clutter while giving old cables a new purpose.

I donated the rest

Goodwill and local charities were happy to take them

Even after keeping a few, handing out a bunch, and converting some with adapters, I had cables to spare. I took the rest to Goodwill. Throwing out working cables when someone could use them just seemed wrong.

Many people still use Lightning devices and can't afford new cables if they wear out. Goodwill, shelters, schools, and community centers accept cable donations and distribute them to those in need. There's an environmental angle too. Keeping cables in use longer means less junk in landfills and less new stuff being made. Your local donation centers typically accept cables if they're still in good condition. It's an easy way to keep them out of the trash.

Lightning cables don't have to become e-waste

Finding homes for my 57+ Lightning cables was easier than I expected. My USB-C transition is complete, but my Lightning legacy lives on in my cars, drawers, and homes of friends and family. It feels good knowing these cables are still useful, rather than sitting in a landfill.

Do you have a cable problem after an upgrade? Try these same approaches. Hang onto what you'll actually use, pass along what you won't, and donate whatever's left. Just because you moved on doesn't mean the cables have to end up in the garbage.