Updated MFi Documentation by Apple Allows Certification for Lightning to Ethernet and USB-C to Lightning Accessories

Photo via Apple 

Manufacturers will be able to offer MFi-certified Lightning accessories other than USB-A to lightning cables and headphone dongles. These new changes include Lightning to Ethernet cables and USB-C to Lightning audio and peripheral adaptors.

Japanese Apple news site Macotakara reported that Apple accessory manufacturers have been informed about this from the Apple MFi Program. They also received a document labelled “MFi Accessory Interface Specifications Release R31”, outlining the compatibility of new adaptor types for iOS devices.

The Cupertino company is designating MFi certification for these following accessories. They consist of Lightning to Ethernet cables, which includes Belkin’s Power Over Ethernet to Lightning cables as the first MFi-certified Ethernet cable for iPhone and iPad. In other words, Anker is also the first MFi-certified manufacturer to supply the first Lightning to USB-C audio adapter, made for those who have Lightning headphones. They launched it back in May.

Third-party Apple accessory manufacturers will start selling more of these MFi-certified adaptors and dongles in the coming months. Apple will be using the Realtek Gigabit Ethernet Controller (Realtek RLT8111EPU) for these following Lightning to Ethernet cables as well.