IOS 7 blocks third-party lightning cables

Users of Apple devices who use third-party Lightning cables may now be regretting upgrading to iOS 7—such cables may no longer work.

Enthusiast site 9to5mac.com said this came after a pre-release version of iOS 7 warned that "non-certified" cables may not work reliably with iPhones.

"(T)he launch version is actually blocking some of them from charging the phone. Certified cables contain a chip that allows them to authenticate," it said.

While some non-certified cables still work, the site said it is possible they have "cracked" chips.

The site noted certified cables have to follow Apple’s specifications, with manufacturers paying a licensing fee for the "privilege."

On the other hand, it said there is a workaround, but users have to go through a routine of plugging the cable, unlocking the iPhone, unplugging the cable and plugging it back in.

"We suspect people are going to simply buy a certified cable rather than go through that palaver every time they connect," it said.

A separate report on T3.com said any attempt to use an "unauthorized cable" on a device running iOS 7 will get the message, "This cable or accessory is not certified and may not work reliably with this iPhone." — VC, GMA News