How to Fix the "This Accessory May Not Be Supported" Error

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Determine why your device isn't recognizing an accessory

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: September 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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What does it mean?

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Why does this error happen?

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How to Fix the Error

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Have you plugged something into your iPhone or iPad and gotten an error that says "This accessory may not be supported"? This can certainly be a concerning and frustrating error, especially if you really need to charge your phone or want to listen to some music. In this article, we'll explain what this error means, 7 reasons why you might be getting this error, and 10 methods you can attempt to fix it.

Reasons Your iPhone or iPad Says Your Accessory Isn't Supported

Your device will display this error if it can't recognize the accessory you've plugged into it.
If your charging port is dirty or damaged, you might see this error pop up.
Your iPhone or iPad might show you this error if your accessory isn't plugged in all the way.

Section 1 of 3:

What does it mean?

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"This accessory may not be supported" occurs when you plug an accessory into your device. The error simply means that the accessory (like a charging cord or headphones) is not recognized by your iPhone or iPad.
- The error itself won't hurt your device. There are a number of reasons this error occurs, so just seeing it doesn't mean your device has been damaged. However, if you're using a non-Apple certified accessory, that accessory could damage your device by overheating it. You also might be seeing this error if your device or accessory is wet, which can cause damage to your phone or tablet as well.

Section 2 of 3:

Why does this error happen?

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If your charging port has dirt or debris in it, you may notice that the accessories you plug into it don't work properly.
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You're using a non-MFi accessory. MFi stands for "Made for iPhone/iPad" and has been approved by Apple for use. If you're using an off-brand product that doesn't have the MFi label on it, your iPhone or iPad may have trouble detecting the accessory.
- Apple doesn't recommend the use of non-MFi accessories, as these items could damage your phone by causing it to overheat.
If you're not running the latest version of iOS, your phone or tablet might be running into a technical glitch trying to detect the accessory. ^{[1]
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If your charging cable, headphones, or other accessory isn't plugged into your device snugly, your device might have a hard time detecting it and give you an error.
Even if the accessory is MFi certified, it might be made for a specific device. Or, it might be too old and isn't recognized by your device due to its age.
If your phone has recently sustained some damage, your charging port could have broken. This would make it impossible for your device to detect an accessory that's been plugged into it.
Conversely, your accessory could be damaged. If your charging cable or headset has a broken plug, your phone or tablet won't be able to detect it properly.

Section 3 of 3:

How to Fix the Error

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Try unplugging the accessory and plugging it back in to ensure that the accessory is plugged in securely.
Using a flashlight, look inside your charging port. If you notice dust, dirt, or debris, gently use a can of compressed air to clean the port out . Ensure you hold the can upright so none of the propellant gets inside the charging port.
If you've got a spare charging cord or pair of headphones, try those to see if they work. If a different accessory works, your initial accessory may be damaged. If nothing works, your charging port may be damaged or the accessory isn't compatible.
Inspect the plug of your accessory or your device's charging port. If you suspect your accessory is damaged you will have to replace it. If you suspect your device's port is damaged, you'll need to bring it to an Apple Store for service.
If your phone or tablet has been on for too long, it may start to encounter issues. Restarting it can help refresh the cache and clear out technical glitches that could be causing your device to not recognize your accessory.
Check your Settings app to see if there is a pending iOS update . If your phone or tablet is not updated, it could be interfering with your accessory, causing it to not work.
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Ensure your device or accessory isn't wet. If your charging port or accessory is wet, it can not only cause issues with your phone or tablet recognizing the accessory but can also damage your device.
- If your accessory is wet simply dry it off with a lint-free towel and let it sit for 30 minutes for any residual water to evaporate.
- If your phone is wet, tap your phone against your hand with the Lightning port facing down to remove excess water, then allow your phone to dry for 30 minutes in an area with some airflow. ^{[2]
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If nothing else works, you can try resetting your settings on your iPhone or iPad. This won't delete your data, but it will restore all of your settings to factory default. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings. This process may take some time to complete.
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Try a wireless connection. This isn't a solution, but rather a workaround—if you desperately need to charge your device or transfer files, you can do so wirelessly if your device has Bluetooth and supports wireless charging.
- All iPhones since the iPhone 8 support wireless charging ^{[3]
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If nothing is working, you will need to get help from Apple-certified repair technicians to figure out what's up with your phone or tablet. You can bring your device to an Apple Store or an Apple-certified repair service for assistance.