Recommendations for shorter USB-A to USB-C cable for wired Apple CarPlay

I'm looking to purchase a USB-A to USB-C cable for connecting my iPhone to my car's wired Apple CarPlay.

I couldn't find an Apple-branded USB-A to USB-C cable on the Apple Store. I did find a Beats cable, but it is 1.5 metres long, which is longer than I need for a car setup.

Could anyone recommend a reliable, Apple-certified or officially supported brand that offers shorter cables and is compatible with wired CarPlay?

I'd appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!

Posted on Nov 8, 2026 11:21 PM

1 reply

Tesserax

Level 10 (162,294 points)

Nov 9, 2026 8:51 AM in response to karthikeyanprakasam

For a shorter USB-A to USB-C cable suitable for wired Apple CarPlay, I would suggest looking at Belkin, Anker, or StarTech. All three are established accessory manufacturers offering cables that support both charging and data transfer.

A few options worth considering are:

Belkin BoostCharge USB-A to USB-C – Available in a 1-metre (3.3-foot) version, with USB-IF certification.
Anker USB-A to USB-C – Available in a 0.9-metre (3-foot) version, with models specifically advertised as compatible with CarPlay.
StarTech USB-A to USB-C – Offers particularly short cables, including 0.5-metre (1.6-foot) and 0.15-metre (6-inch) versions that support data transfer.

One important distinction: Apple's MFi (Made for iPhone) certification is primarily associated with accessories using Apple's proprietary technologies, such as Lightning. A standard USB-A to USB-C cable should not require MFi certification to work with an iPhone or CarPlay.

Instead, look for a USB-IF-certified or USB-compliant cable that explicitly supports USB data transfer, not just charging. USB 2.0 data speeds are sufficient for wired CarPlay.