It may not be possible to fast charge the next iPhone using an uncertified USB Type-C charger. A new report claims that Apple’s upcoming smartphone may have support for C-AUTH. It’s an authentication specification for USB Type-C which verifies if the connected cables and chargers are certified accessories.

Macotakara reports that the upcoming iPhone is going to have support for this USB Type-C authentication specification. If the user connected an uncertified USB Type-C charger, the handset will automatically limit charger to a slower rate and would not allow the iPhone to be charged at the fastest rate.

Users who want to charge their iPhone at the fastest rate would thus have to purchase an official charger or a third-party USB Type-C charger that has received the relevant certification.

C-AUTH was created by the USB Implementers Forum of which Apple is a member. The standard helps cryptographically verify certifications. The standard’s use goes beyond clamping down on uncertified chargers. It can also be used to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks by allowing only specific devices to connect to each other, something which will be useful for secure enterprise networks.

The iPhone would thus not be fast charged at 18 Watts. If the third-party charger is not certified, the charging rate will be limited at or below 2.5 Watts. This standard was introduced in January 2018 and will likely be adopted for the new iPhones that are due this fall.

Filed in Apple >Cellphones. Read more about .

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