Apple is allegedly preparing to remove USB-C ports from iPhones

[Mike85c]

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry if I post in the wrong section.  I try to create a post in the Front Page but it will not create a post and there is not button for "Start new topic".

I can't read the comments of the front page of https://www.neowin.net/news/apple-allegedly-prepares-to-dive-into-port-free-iphones-starting-with-iphone-17-air/.

I login to my account but I don't see any comments.

I really don't like the idea of Apple ditching the USB-C ports because you can't transfer your files and also the wireless charge is slow to charge.   If there is no USB-C port then how can transfer your files?

[dwd999]

My personal opinion is that the easiest way to transfer files is to install one of the many available FTP file apps, turning your phone into an FTP server (user ID and Password protected), and then access the phone using any browser or file manager app on whatever computer you're using. I have no problem accessing my phone in FTP mode using Window's Explorer file manager; I just type the FTP address into the files address bar and after connecting enter my user ID and password and transfer any file I want. Moreover if Apple goes ahead with this I'm sure there will be many new iphone apps to allow access and file transfers by FTP or other means.

[Mike85c]

On 17/03/2025 at 15:34, dwd999 said:

My personal opinion is that the easiest way to transfer files is to install one of the many available FTP file apps, turning your phone into an FTP server (user ID and Password protected), and then access the phone using any browser or file manager app on whatever computer you're using. I have no problem accessing my phone in FTP mode using Window's Explorer file manager; I just type the FTP address into the files address bar and after connecting enter my user ID and password and transfer any file I want. Moreover if Apple goes ahead with this I'm sure there will be many new iphone apps to allow access and file transfers by FTP or other means.

OK I see thanks. If apple does that then this is an extra steps where you have to install another app.  I just remember you can have NFC or Bluetooth to transfer the files from Iphone to Android or a PC.  If they do that Apple will screw themselves and I guess lots of people will convert to Android.  I just hope that if Apple does do port less that Android phones does NOT follow what apple is doing.  Apple is a proprietary that is even funny.

[branfont]

On 18/03/2025 at 02:10, Mike85c said:

If they do that Apple will screw themselves and I guess lots of people will convert to Android. 

The problem is that Samsung follows apple sometimes, so they may end up doing it as well.

[Mike85c]

On 18/03/2025 at 09:19, branfont said:

The problem is that Samsung follows apple sometimes, so they may end up doing it as well.

Ugh I see.  I just hope that Google Pixel does not follow apple at all but if Google Pixel following oh well we cant' do anything.  Damn Apple!

[Nick H. Supervisor]

On 17/03/2025 at 19:01, Mike85c said:

Hi Everyone...

<Moved to Sites and Forum Issues>

It seems better placed here for the moment, since your issue is that you cannot make a post on an article. It also looks like you aren't the only person with an issue viewing comments.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

On 17/03/2025 at 19:01, Mike85c said:

because you can't transfer your files

iCloud

[DramaInc]

On 18/03/2025 at 08:26, Mike85c said:

Ugh I see.  I just hope that Google Pixel does not follow apple at all but if Google Pixel following oh well we cant' do anything.  Damn Apple!

It's a huge security boost getting rid of that port.  

Maybe it'll take me more than 30 mins to break into Android phones now forensically.  

[+thexfile Subscriber²]

The EU made Apple use the USB-C connection.

[DramaInc]

On 18/03/2025 at 09:46, thexfile said:

The EU made Apple use the USB-C connection.

Because Lightning is proprietary.  Wifi is not.  

[satukoro]

On 18/03/2025 at 10:32, DramaInc said:

It's a huge security boost getting rid of that port.  

Maybe it'll take me more than 30 mins to break into Android phones now forensically.  

Removing the doors and windows from your house increases security also but that doesnt make it a good solution.

[spacelordmaster]

You might want to read this article in regards to that sir.

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/16/slimmer-iphones-without-usb-c-ports/

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said that while Apple ultimately decided against making the iPhone 17 Air its first iPhone model without a charging port, the idea is still on the table for future iPhone models.

He said the iPhone 17 Air will "foreshadow a move to slimmer models without charging ports."

"The iPhone 17 Air represents the beginning of a sea change for Apple," he wrote. "Apple executives say that if this new iPhone is successful, the company intends to again attempt to make port-free iPhones and move more of its models to this slimmer approach."

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that the first iPhone without a charging port would launch all the way back in 2021, but that did not happen. Apple has shifted from its custom Lightning port to the universal USB-C port on iPhones over the past few years, but the wait for an iPhone without a charging port at all continues.

P.S. Hopefully the iPhone 17 Air will support MagSafe, unlike the iPhone 16e.

[dwd999]

Another factor which I forgot to consider is audio output. An iphone without any ports would mean that they expect everyone to use bluetooth headphones, which might mean that a lot of users have to get new headphones. At least if they leave in the usb port, anyone can get a usb to wired headphone adapter like the one I use with my Pixel 8a. This would also help users who prefer to connect their phone by wire to their speakers or audio systems. So we'll have to see if its going to be bluetooth all the way all the time forever.

[freedonX]

On 18/03/2025 at 13:24, dwd999 said:

Another factor which I forgot to consider is audio output. An iphone without any ports would mean that they expect everyone to use bluetooth headphones, which might mean that a lot of users have to get new headphones. At least if they leave in the usb port, anyone can get a usb to wired headphone adapter like the one I use with my Pixel 8a. This would also help users who prefer to connect their phone by wire to their speakers or audio systems. So we'll have to see if its going to be bluetooth all the way all the time forever.

Which I doubt that's a problem.
Just walk into a gym or an airport or a coffeshop and youi'll see lots of people with wireless headphones. I can't see what phone they are using but I bet they aren't 100% apple.

Bluetooth headphones isn't a problem except for those buying wired headphones. They are the only ones affected and pretty sure they've been selective what phones to buy anyways.,

[adrynalyne]

I’m thinking this is still pretty far on the horizon if they want to keep feature parity with developers. I make use of debugging sites and web views on my phone with Safari on my Mac. So far I’ve not found a way to make that happen wirelessly. I’m sure there are other limitations too, such as no data transfer through MagSafe. 

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

On 19/03/2025 at 00:25, adrynalyne said:

So far I’ve not found a way to make that happen wirelessly.

But Apple has...

You can now setup an apple device (can't remember which, but feel it was either Mac Mini or Apple TV?) including setting it into restore mode and that sort of thing - entirely wirelessly.  The tech exists, they simply haven't implemented it on all devices yet.

[adrynalyne]

On 19/03/2025 at 02:14, Dick Montage said:

But Apple has...

You can now setup an apple device (can't remember which, but feel it was either Mac Mini or Apple TV?) including setting it into restore mode and that sort of thing - entirely wirelessly.  The tech exists, they simply haven't implemented it on all devices yet.

That was my point. 

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

On 19/03/2025 at 09:47, adrynalyne said:

That was my point. 

I'm not disagreeing, and it would make sense to roll the feature out BEFORE removing the port.