Method
How we check compatibility
Every badge on this site — Works Works with adapter Not compatible — is worked out the same way, so you can see exactly why.
1. Device facts come from Apple
For each iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and AirPods model we record the facts that decide what plugs in: the connector (Lightning or USB-C) and its data standard, MagSafe, Qi2 and Qi wireless charging, Apple’s fast-charging statements, external display support and, for Apple Watch, band size. Each fact comes from Apple’s own tech specs or support pages. The source and the date we checked are shown on every device page. If Apple doesn’t state something, we leave it blank rather than guess.
2. Product facts come from the maker
Connectors, wattages, data speeds and model lists come from each maker’s own product page, linked on the product page with the date we checked. We don’t show Amazon prices, ratings or photos, and we haven’t lab-tested these products ourselves — “why we’d pick it” is our reasoning from the specs, not a test result.
3. A rule joins them together
Each product follows one rule. A rule is a short list of checks read from the top; the first one that matches the device decides the badge. Here are the rules in use today:
USB-C power (chargers and USB-C power banks)
Works with anything that charges over USB-C. Lightning devices need a USB-C to Lightning cable and Apple Watch uses its own USB-C charging cable, so those show as Works with adapter. Desktop Macs, Apple TV and most HomePods run from the mains. If Apple states a minimum wattage for a device and the charger is below it, it shows as Not compatible.
Show the rule lines
family = tv => no | Runs from the mains — no charger needed family = homepod & connector = usb-c => works | Apple specifies a USB-C power adapter for this device — see its page for the wattage family = homepod => no | Powered from its own mains supply family = mac & line in iMac,Mac mini,Mac Studio,Mac Pro => no | Desktop Macs run from the mains — no charger needed connector = usb-c => works connector = lightning => adapter | Needs a USB-C to Lightning cable family = watch => adapter | Plug in your Apple Watch USB-C charging cable * => no
USB-C to USB-C cable
For devices with a USB-C port. Lightning devices need a USB-C to Lightning cable instead.
Show the rule lines
family in tv,homepod => no | No USB-C port for charging or data connector = usb-c => works connector = lightning => no | This device has a Lightning port — choose a USB-C to Lightning cable family = watch => no | Apple Watch charges with its own magnetic cable * => no
USB-C to Lightning cable
Only for devices with a Lightning port (older iPhones, some iPads and AirPods).
Show the rule lines
connector = lightning => works * => no | Only for devices with a Lightning port
MagSafe charger
Snaps on and charges at full MagSafe speed on iPhone 12 and later. Apple says MagSafe chargers also charge other Qi-compatible iPhones (iPhone 8 onwards) and AirPods wireless cases, just without the magnetic alignment.
Show the rule lines
magsafe = iphone => works family = iphone & qi = yes => works | Charges at Qi speed, without magnetic alignment (per Apple) magsafe = case => works | Charges the AirPods case family = airpods & qi = yes => works | Charges the case — centre it on the charger * => no
Qi2 magnetic charger
Snaps onto iPhones that Apple lists with Qi2 support (iPhone 12 and later, except iPhone 16e). Qi2 25W chargers reach the higher speeds only on iPhones Apple rates above 15W. Wireless AirPods cases charge on them too.
Show the rule lines
qi2 in qi2,qi2.2 => works family = iphone & qi = yes => works | Charges at Qi speed, without magnetic alignment magsafe = case => works | Charges the AirPods case family = airpods & qi = yes => works | Charges the case — centre it on the charger * => no
Qi wireless pad
Plain Qi pads charge any iPhone from iPhone 8 onwards and AirPods with a wireless case — slower than MagSafe or Qi2, and without magnets.
Show the rule lines
family = iphone & qi = yes => works family = airpods & qi = yes => works | Charges the case * => no
iPhone + Apple Watch + AirPods charger
The phone pad works with Qi2/MagSafe iPhones, the watch puck with every Apple Watch, and the third spot with AirPods wireless cases.
Show the rule lines
qi2 in qi2,qi2.2 => works magsafe = iphone => works family = iphone & qi = yes => works | Charges at Qi speed, without magnetic alignment family = watch => works | Uses the stand’s Apple Watch charger family = airpods & qi = yes => works | Charges the case on the AirPods pad * => no
iPhone + Apple Watch charger
The phone pad works with Qi2/MagSafe iPhones (and other Qi iPhones without magnets); the watch puck charges every Apple Watch.
Show the rule lines
qi2 in qi2,qi2.2 => works magsafe = iphone => works family = iphone & qi = yes => works | Charges at Qi speed, without magnetic alignment family = watch => works | Uses the charger’s Apple Watch puck * => no
Magnetic (MagSafe / Qi2) power bank
Clips onto iPhones with MagSafe or Qi2. Other devices can usually charge from the bank’s USB-C port with a cable, if it has one.
Show the rule lines
qi2 in qi2,qi2.2 => works magsafe = iphone => works connector = usb-c & family in iphone,ipad,airpods => adapter | Use the bank’s USB-C port and a cable (if it has one) connector = lightning => adapter | Use the bank’s USB-C port with a USB-C to Lightning cable (if it has one) * => no
USB-C hub or adapter
Plugs into any USB-C Mac or iPad, and USB-C iPhones. Video output, charging pass-through and speeds depend on the device’s port — see its device page.
Show the rule lines
family = mac => works family = ipad & connector = usb-c => works family = iphone & connector = usb-c => works | Video output depends on the model — see the device page connector = lightning => no | Lightning devices need Lightning adapters instead * => no
Thunderbolt dock
Full features need a Thunderbolt (or Thunderbolt / USB 4) port, as on most Apple-silicon Macs and recent iPad Pro models. Each Mac’s device page shows its ports.
Show the rule lines
family = mac & usb_class in tb3,tb4,tb5,tb-usb4 => works family = ipad & usb_class = tb-usb4 => works | Check the dock maker’s notes for iPad — not every feature applies family = mac => no | This Mac has USB-C ports, not Thunderbolt * => no | Needs a Thunderbolt or USB 4 port
External monitor
Works with Macs and USB-C iPads (check how many external displays your model supports). Lightning iPads need a Lightning to HDMI adapter.
Show the rule lines
family = mac => works | Check how many external displays this Mac supports family = ipad & connector = usb-c => works | See this iPad’s external display support family = iphone & features has usb-c-display => works | Mirrors your iPhone screen family = ipad & connector = lightning => adapter | Needs a Lightning to HDMI adapter * => no
USB-C external drive
Works with every Mac and with USB-C iPads and iPhones (the drive appears in the Files app). Speed depends on the device’s port.
Show the rule lines
family = mac => works family in ipad,iphone & connector = usb-c => works | Opens in the Files app; speed depends on this device’s port family in ipad,iphone & connector = lightning => adapter | Needs a Lightning to USB adapter — check the drive maker’s notes * => no
Keyboard, mouse or trackpad (Mac and iPad)
Works with Macs and iPads. Check the maker’s notes for iPhone support.
Show the rule lines
family = mac => works family = ipad => works * => no
Keyboard (Mac, iPad and iPhone)
Works with Macs, iPads and iPhones, per the maker.
Show the rule lines
family in mac,ipad,iphone => works * => no
Keyboard (Mac, iPad and iPhone 13 or later)
Works with Macs and iPads; Apple’s compatibility list for this keyboard includes iPhone 13 and later for typing.
Show the rule lines
family in mac,ipad => works family = iphone & line in iPhone 13,iPhone 14,iPhone 15,iPhone 16,iPhone 17,iPhone 18,iPhone Air,iPhone Duo => works | Typing only; Touch ID works on Apple-silicon Macs * => no
MacBook stand
For MacBook laptops.
Show the rule lines
family = mac & line in MacBook Air,MacBook Pro,MacBook Neo => works * => no
Apple Pencil Pro
Works only with the iPads that Apple lists for Apple Pencil Pro.
Show the rule lines
features has pencil-pro => works * => no | Not on Apple’s list for Apple Pencil Pro
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
Works only with the iPads that Apple lists for Apple Pencil (USB-C).
Show the rule lines
features has pencil-usb-c => works * => no | Not on Apple’s list for Apple Pencil (USB-C)
iPad (2018 and later)
For accessories whose maker says they work with all iPad models from 2018 onwards.
Show the rule lines
family = ipad & year >= 2018 => works * => no
Model-specific fit
Cases, screen protectors, keyboard cases and similar fit only the exact models the maker lists.
Show the rule lines
fits => works * => no | Made for other models
Apple Watch band — smaller cases
Fits Apple Watch cases of 38, 40 and 41mm, and the 42mm cases of Series 10 and later (Apple’s smaller band group).
Show the rule lines
family = watch & band_group = small => works family = watch => no | Your watch takes the larger band size * => no
Apple Watch band — larger cases
Fits Apple Watch cases of 44, 45, 46 and 49mm (Apple’s larger band group).
Show the rule lines
family = watch & band_group = large => works family = watch => no | Your watch takes the smaller band size * => no
Apple Watch charger
Charges any Apple Watch. Apple says some AirPods cases can also charge on an Apple Watch charger.
Show the rule lines
family = watch => works features has case-watch-charger => works | Apple says this AirPods case charges on an Apple Watch charger * => no
Alcohol wipes (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
Apple allows 70% isopropyl or 75% ethyl alcohol wipes on the hard, non-porous surfaces of iPhone, iPad and Mac. For other devices, check Apple’s cleaning advice first.
Show the rule lines
family in iphone,ipad,mac => works | Hard, non-porous surfaces only (Apple) * => no | Check Apple’s cleaning advice for this device
Screen spray or keyboard tools (Mac)
Apple allows a screen cleaner sprayed onto a cloth for Mac and Apple displays, and compressed air for MacBook keyboards, but advises against cleaning products and compressed air on iPhone and iPad.
Show the rule lines
family = mac => works | Spray onto the cloth, never onto the Mac (Apple) * => no | Apple advises against cleaning products or compressed air on this device
Works with everything
Cleaning cloths, organisers and plug adapters that don’t depend on the device.
Show the rule lines
* => works
4. Limits
Accessories change, and makers sometimes list compatibility differently from Apple. Treat a badge as a strong pointer, not a guarantee: check the maker’s compatibility list and the Amazon listing before you buy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we’ll fix it.