iPhone says accessory not supported? 8 fixes, even with nothing plugged in

A message pops up that says This accessory may not be supported, and you tap Dismiss. Then it comes back. Sometimes you have a cable in the phone. Sometimes you have nothing plugged in at all, and the alert still shows up every few minutes.

The alert is more common than it looks, and it has a short list of causes. The steps below start with the cheap ones, a cable and a dirty port, and end with the repair route and what it may cost. They apply to Lightning iPhones and to USB-C iPhones, from the iPhone 15 on.

Why does the iPhone show this alert?

• A damaged or uncertified accessory. Apple lists this first. Frayed cables, cheap adapters and fake chargers are common triggers.
• An accessory that does not work with your model. Some accessories only work with certain iPhones.
• Dirt, lint or debris in the port. Pocket lint packs into the charging port and blocks the contacts.
• Moisture in the port. A little water or humidity can make the phone think something is connected.
• A damaged port. Bent or worn contacts cause the alert, with or without a cable.
• A software glitch. Less common, and it can follow an iOS update.

Fix 1: Disconnect and reconnect the accessory

Apple's first step is the simplest one. Tap Dismiss, pull the accessory out and plug it in again. Push it in firmly, and straight, not at an angle. If the alert is gone and does not return, a loose connection was the cause. If it comes back, go on.

Fix 2: Inspect the cable and the accessory

Look at both ends of the cable. You are checking for bent or missing pins, dark or green marks on the metal, frayed insulation near the connector and a loose plug. Try a different cable that you know works, ideally one made for your iPhone and certified by Apple. If the other cable works with no alert, the first one was the problem, and you can throw it away.

Also remove anything between the iPhone and the charger. Apple's charging advice says to connect straight to the charger, without adapters or extra equipment in the middle. Hubs, car adapters and cheap multi-port docks are all worth taking out of the test.

Fix 3: Check that the accessory works with your iPhone

If the alert appears the first time you use a new accessory, check the box or the maker's site to see which iPhones it supports. Some accessories only work with Lightning or only with USB-C. If you have an iPhone 15 or later, it uses USB-C. An older Lightning accessory will not fit without an adapter, and a cheap adapter is a common cause of the alert.

Fix 4: Clean the charging port

Apple tells you to look at the connectors for damage or debris, and to gently remove any debris from the iPhone's port. Lint from a pocket is the most common culprit, and it builds up for months before it causes a problem.

Most cases of the alert with nothing plugged in end here. It is common to find a small plug of lint that has been packed in by years of cable pushing.

Fix 5: Restart your iPhone

A restart can clear a false alert. Hold the side button and a volume button until the slider appears, drag it, wait half a minute and turn the iPhone back on. If your iPhone has been on for weeks, this alone can fix it.

Fix 6: Update iOS

Apple says to make sure you have the latest version of iOS. Open Settings › General › Software Update. Install anything that is waiting, with the iPhone plugged into a certified charger or above 50 percent charge. New versions fix bugs that confuse the port or the accessory check.

Fix 7: Dry the port if it may be wet

If the iPhone got wet, or you carried it in the rain or a steamy bathroom, moisture may be causing the alert. Do not charge it while the port is wet. Let it sit with the port facing down, in a dry place, for several hours. Do not put it in rice, and do not use a hair dryer. If a separate message says Liquid Detected in the connector, see our guide to liquid detected on iPhone.

Fix 8: Get the port looked at

Apple's page is blunt about the nothing-plugged-in case: if the alert appears and you have no accessories connected, you might need service. If you have done every step above and the alert still comes back, the port may be damaged or its contacts worn.

• Check your coverage first. Our guide to checking a phone warranty shows how to look it up by serial number.
• If you have AppleCare, service for a faulty port may cost little or nothing. If you do not, read whether AppleCare is worth it before you decide.
• Ask Apple or an authorized provider for a quote. Compare it with the age of the phone. On an older iPhone, a new battery and port at the same time can be more sensible than a single repair.
• If the iPhone also drains fast, read about whether a battery replacement is worth it.

Which fix should you try first?

• Alert appears only with one cable: replace the cable with an Apple-certified one.
• Alert appears with every cable: clean the port, then restart.
• Alert appears with nothing plugged in: clean the port, dry it, then book service if it stays.
• Alert appears after the phone got wet: stop charging, let it dry, then see the liquid guide.
• Alert and slow charging together: see our guide to the slow charger message.

How to stop the alert from coming back

• Use certified cables and chargers, and replace any that are frayed.
• Clean the port every few months, especially if you keep the iPhone in a pocket.
• Plug cables in straight, and do not pull them out by the cord.
• Keep the iPhone away from steam, sinks and pools.
• Install iOS updates when they appear.