Why You Can Trust CNET Make a DIY keychain for your iPhone 7's headphone adapter
The Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter is important for any iPhone 7 user who wants to use wired 3.5mm headphones. To keep it handy at all times, turn the adapter into a keychain using Sugru.
You want to listen to music or watch a video, so you reach for your favorite headphones. But then you abruptly remember: there is no headphone jack on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and your 3.5mm adapter is nowhere in sight.
Without going fully wireless or grabbing a pair of Lightning-compatible headphones, you'll have to get used to adapter life. That means you'll have to get used to carrying the adapter everywhere you go, which can be annoying.
Wouldn't it be so much more convenient if there were a keychain attachment for it? Of course it would. So here is how you can fashion your own keychain adapter for your Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter.
What you will need
To make an adapter, you'll need just three things:
- An old, cheap pair of headphones you don't mind ruining.
- One pack of Sugru in your color of choice.
- A keyring.
Aesthetically, Sugru may not be the best material. But it's definitely one of the easiest to work with. You can find it quite easily online in a multipack for approximately $1.84 (£1.42 or AU$2.41) per use. You can sometimes find it in local hardware stores, but it's typically more expensive and sold in smaller quantities.
Making a keychain attachment
To make the keychain attachment, you will be using a male 3.5mm plug to attach the adapter to a keyring using Sugru.
Use scissors or a knife to remove the cable from the 3.5mm plug on an old pair of headphones. Trim away any leftover cable, leaving just the 3.5mm plug and the housing.
Then apply the Sugru. Choosing a color is sort of important. I chose blue and it slightly stained the adapter. The same will happen with black, red or yellow. If you use white to try and match the adapter, it will turn gray or yellow over time. So choose your poison.
From the time you open the pack of Sugru, you have approximately 30 minutes before it starts to set. Mold it around the housing to the 3.5mm plug, making sure it doesn't obstruct the plug at all. Shape doesn't matter all that much. But before you're done molding the Sugru, be sure to add the keyring and move it around in all directions to ensure that it moves freely.
When you're finished molding, lay it flat on a clean surface to cure for 24 hours. You may want to consider laying out some cling wrap or wax paper to prevent the Sugru from staining the surface.
Once it has fully cured, you can attach the adapter to your keyring. A gentle pull will release the headphone adapter. And reattaching it is just as easy.