iPhone 17 Charging Cable: What You Need for Safe, Fast Charging

Yes, the iPhone 17 includes a USB-C cable right out of the box. Still, many people end up wanting a backup or a better-performing cable for everyday use. Maybe you need a longer one for the couch, or something sturdier for travel.

What Charging Cable Does iPhone 17 Use?

The iPhone 17 uses a USB-C to USB-C cable. Apple includes one in the box, so you can start charging right away. The move from Lightning to USB-C makes life easier because it matches the same connector used on most modern laptops, tablets, and other phones.

What the USB-C port on your iPhone can do

At the bottom of your iPhone 17, you'll see a small, oval USB-C port. It replaces the old Lightning connector and unlocks a few helpful features:

• Fast charging up to 40W
• DisplayPort video output, including up to 4K HDR with the right adapter
• USB 2.0 data speeds (up to 480 Mb/s) on the standard iPhone 17
• USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s) on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max

What comes in the box

Inside the box, you'll find:

• iPhone 17 / 17 Pro / 17 Pro Max handset
• 1-meter USB-C to USB-C charging cable
• Basic paperwork

There's still no power adapter, so you'll rely on one you already own or pick up a new USB-C charger. A 20W or 30W charger works well for everyday use.

If you want the fastest charge possible, a 40W or higher USB-C Power Delivery (PD) adapter can take the battery from 0% to about 50% in roughly 20 minutes.

Do you need a different cable?

The included cable is enough for most people. Still, you might want another if:

• You need a long iPhone charger cable for the couch or bed
• You want a braided cable that holds up better in a bag
• You use a Pro model and need faster wired file transfers
• You want to keep an extra cable at work, in the car, or in your travel kit

Does any USB-C cable work?

Well, any USB-C cable will physically fit, but not every cable performs the same.

For safe, reliable fast charging, look for:

• A good-quality USB-C to USB-C charging cable for Apple iPhone from a reputable brand like Anker.
• USB Power Delivery (PD) support; USB-IF certification is a bonus
• A power rating of 60W or higher (more than enough for any iPhone)

If you want one cable for everything—your phone, your tablet, and your laptop—choosing a 100W or 140W cable helps future-proof your setup.

For the iPhone 17 Pro models, a USB 3 or USB4 cable makes a real difference if you transfer large video files to a Mac or external drive.

What about your old Lightning cables and USB-A adapters?

Lightning cables won't plug into the iPhone 17. If you still use Lightning gear, like older iPhones, docks, or small accessories, you can keep them for those devices.

If you want to keep using your old USB-A charging bricks, you can. Just pair them with a USB-A to USB-C cable. Charging will still work. It'll just be noticeably slower because USB-A can't deliver as much power as modern USB-C chargers.

Best USB-C to USB-C Cable for Fast Charging Your iPhone 17

Need new iPhone charging cables for your new device? These Anker USB-C to USB-C cables below all support USB PD and give your iPhone 17 more than enough power headroom, so charging stays quick and stable.

Anker Prime USB-C to USB-C Cable (3ft, 240W, Upcycled-Braided)

This Anker Prime USB-C to USB-C Cable is small, strong, and built to handle almost anything. It supports up to 240W USB-C PD 3.1 EPR (48V/5A), which is far above iPhone requirements and enough for many USB-C laptops. Because the cable has so much headroom, it runs cool and steady even during long charging sessions.

The jacket uses post-consumer recycled nylon with a tight braid that helps prevent fraying. It's tested for around 300,000 bends—a huge number for a cable this size—and it stays usable in temperatures from -40°F to 176°F. It's also officially USB-IF certified and offers USB 2.0 data speeds up to 480 Mbps, which is plenty for backing up photos or moving everyday files.

Anker 140W 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable

This Anker 140W 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable is a smart choice if you often charge two devices at once. One end plugs into your charger, and the other end splits into two USB-C connectors, so you can power your iPhone 17 and another device from a single port.

When only one device is connected, the cable supports up to 140W under USB-C PD 3.1. When you plug in two devices, the cable uses built-in smart power management to divide power automatically.

It can deliver combinations like 112W + 18W, 65W + 27W, or 50W + 50W, depending on what each device pulls.

It has a braided nylon exterior and is tested for 10,000+ bends. The total length is about 4ft, with a 3ft main section and two 1ft branches. A small slider lets you adjust where the split sits so you can keep both devices positioned comfortably.

Anker Nano Charger (45W) with USB-C to USB-C Cable

If you need both a spare cable and a new fast charger, this Anker Nano Charger with USB-C to USB-C Cable bundle is a practical way to cover everything at once.

The charger is a tiny 45W USB-C GaN brick that supports Power Delivery, PPS, and other fast-charging standards. GaN (gallium nitride) keeps the charger small and helps it run cooler and more efficiently than older silicon-based chargers. It works on 100-240V power input, so it's travel-friendly, and it includes the ActiveShield systems to keep temperatures and voltage in check.

The box also includes a 6ft USB-C to USB-C cable, which is a nice upgrade from the short 1-meter cable that comes with the iPhone. The extra length helps when outlets are awkwardly placed—hotel rooms, airports, cafés, and even your living room.

USB-C vs Lightning Cable: What's the Difference?

If you've used iPhones for a while, switching from Lightning to USB-C can feel like a big shift. Under the surface, it is a big change, especially for speed, compatibility, and the long-term future of your cables.

Here's how USB-C (on iPhone 17) compares to the old Lightning standard your earlier iPhones used.

Feature	USB-C	Lightning
Connector type	Reversible 24-pin USB-C plug, industry standard	Reversible 8-pin proprietary Apple connector
Which iPhones use it	iPhone 15, 16, 17 series and newer	iPhone 5 through iPhone 14/SE (3rd gen);now discontinued on new models
Cable ends	Usually USB-C to USB-C (same plug both ends)	Typically USB-C to Lightning or USB-A to Lightning
Data speed on standard iPhones	iPhone 17: USB 2.0 up to 480 Mb/s	Most Lightning iPhones also top out at USB 2.0 (480 Mb/s)
Data speed on Pro models	iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max: USB 3 up to 10 Gb/s with a USB 3 cable	Lightning never offered USB 3 speeds on iPhones; only a few iPads supported it with special adapters
Wired fast charging behavior	iPhone 17 can reach about 50% in ~20 minutes with a 40W USB-C adapter or higher and a USB-C cable	iPhone 8-14 (Lightning) reach about 50% in ~30 minutes with a 20W USB-C adapter and USB-C to Lightning cable.USB-A to Lightning cables are capped at 12W
Video output	Direct DisplayPort over USB-C, up to 4K HDR with a USB-C display or AV adapter	Needed special Lightning AV adapters; more limited and clunkier setup
Accessory ecosystem	Shared with laptops, Android phones, tablets, game consoles, and more; easy to reuse the same cable across devices	Mostly Apple-specific cables and "Made for iPhone" (MFi) accessories; more proprietary, less reusable
Regulation & future support	Meets EU "common charger" rules.USB-C is the long-term direction for modern devices	Being phased out.Apple no longer sells new Lightning iPhones and is retiring many Lightning accessories
Typical cable pricing	Wide price range, but many affordable, standards-compliant options from big brands	Often pricier due to Apple's licensing (MFi), especially for high-quality or long cables

What this means for you

USB-C makes your life simpler. Your iPhone 17 charging cable can often plug into your laptop, your portable battery, a tablet, or some headphones. You no longer need to carry a separate cable for every device.

If you shoot a lot of video or ProRes footage on an iPhone 17 Pro, pair the phone with a USB-C to USB-C cable that supports USB 3 (10 Gb/s). You can then offload big files to a Mac or SSD far faster than any Lightning iPhone ever could.

If you still keep an older iPhone as a backup or use Lightning-based car audio, docks, or mics, old Lightning cable still matters. In that case, a USB-C to Lightning lead like the Anker 641 USB-C to Lightning Cable is a simple way to keep those devices in the mix while you move your chargers over to USB-C.

It's a short 3 ft (0.9 m) cable, so it works well in a car or on a desk without leaving a lot of extra slack, and it uses a soft silicone jacket that feels flexible in your hand and resists tangling in bags or cup holders.

Under the coating, it's built for a rated 25,000-bend lifespan and tested to handle up to 220 lb of pull, so frequent plugging in and tight bends are less likely to wear it out. The cable is Apple MFi certified, which means your Lightning devices see it as fully compatible and can fast charge over USB Power Delivery without warning pop-ups or reduced speeds.

Conclusion

Choosing the right iPhone 17 charging cable is simpler than it looks. With Apple's full switch to USB-C, you now get faster charging, easier compatibility, and a cleaner setup across all your devices. The cable in the box works well, but a sturdier or longer USB-C to USB-C option can make everyday charging easier. Whether you want quicker top-ups, better durability, or a more flexible travel setup, the right cable and charger combo helps your iPhone 17 stay powered without hassles.

FAQs

Will the iPhone 17 still have a USB-C port?

Yes. The iPhone 17 continues Apple's move to USB-C, following the change that began with the iPhone 15 lineup. All iPhone 17 models use a USB-C port for charging, data transfer, and accessory connections. Lightning is no longer supported on the device.

How can I connect a lightning device to an iPhone 17?

You'll need an adapter. Since the iPhone 17 no longer has a Lightning port, older Lightning accessories, like wired EarPods, card readers, mics, or camera adapters, won't plug in directly. A USB-C to Lightning adapter bridges the two and lets your Lightning accessory work normally.

How do you charge an iPhone 17?

The iPhone 17 charges through its USB-C port. Use the included USB-C to USB-C cable with any USB-C Power Delivery (PD) charger. For the fastest speeds up to about 50% in 20 minutes, pair it with a 40W or higher USB-C PD adapter. You can also charge wirelessly using Qi2 or MagSafe-compatible chargers, which support up to about 25W.