User level: Level 1 (5 points)Why does Apple not allow digital AV output through Lightning to HDMI/8pin adapter (iOS 27.0.1 on iPhone Mini 12).
I am almost thinking, reading the persistent issue since iOS 16 update that Apple does purposely not persue this issue to increase sale of the Apple TV Home pod. Else the issue would easily been solved, as it worked before.
Posted on Oct 11, 2026 11:14 AM
User level: Level 9 (55,707 points)Oct 11, 2026 1:54 PM in response to Chattanoogan
Chattanoogan wrote:
However, the Tech Specs for that device seem pretty clear that physical Lightning port video-out is limited to VGA.
“… [External Video] through Lightning Digital AV Adapter and Lightning to VGA Adapter … “
Source:
iPhone 12 mini - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
That's not the way I read the Technical Specifications. They are saying that you can use either the Lightning Digital AV Adapter, or the Lightning to VGA Adapter.
Apple explicitly lists the Lightning Digital AV Adapter - Lightning to HDMI - Apple as being compatible with the iPhone 12 mini. While it has both a HDMI port and a female Lightning port, my guess is that the Lightning port supports pass-through charging and is not meant for daisy-chaining a Lightning to VGA Adapter. (It looks like Apple discontinued the Lightning to VGA Adapter, as there is no listing for it in the online Apple Store.)
Seems more likely that DRM ("intentional incompatibility") or some bug is the issue.
User level: Level 8 (43,489 points)Oct 11, 2026 11:39 AM in response to Jake73
Sorry …
We here are fellow Apple users who have no “special insight” as to how Apple determines which specific capabilities are incorporated (or not incorporated) into any particular product.
However, the Tech Specs for that device seem pretty clear that physical Lightning port video-out is limited to VGA.
“… [External Video] through Lightning Digital AV Adapter and Lightning to VGA Adapter … “
Source:
iPhone 12 mini - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
User level: Level 1 (5 points)Oct 11, 2026 1:33 PM in response to Chattanoogan
Like you quote: “Lightning Digital AV Adapter and…”.
as far as I know the Digital AV is HDMI, which is not working.
So how can this be resolved? iPhone 12 has no seperate audio jack. Both Audio/Video go through the Lightning port. The VGA adapter is not supperting AV to external TV screen.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256374290