This is what you should use to charge your iPhone 8 and listen to music at the same time. None of the newer iPhones have a headphone jack anymore, forcing users to share the charging port with an adapter that lets you plug in regular headphones. If you want to charge your iPhone 8 and listen to music at the same time, you’ll need to use Bluetooth headphones or buy an adapter.
While wireless headphones are a good option, many users rely on a headphone jack to connect their iPhone 8 to a car stereo, or simply prefer to listen to music with wired headphones. In this case, you have to spend some money on some new iPhone 8 accessories.
You can buy a dongle or spend money on a dock if you listen to it at your desk. Neither option is that good, so instead of using a bulky dongle we use wireless earbuds like AirPods.
Belkin 3.5mm Audio + Charge Rockstar
The accessory you need to listen to music and charge your iPhone 8 at the same time.
If you want to charge your iPhone 8 and listen to music at the same time, the Belkin 3.5mm Audio + Charge Rockstar is the adapter you should buy. This is an official adapter that is guaranteed to work with your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X. Many third-party options on Amazon either do not work or have mixed reviews after some software updates.
This is a new version of the Belkin adapter and includes a built-in 3.5mm headphone jack instead of a second lightning port. This makes it much easier to plug in headphones or connect your iPhone to the Aux input in a car. It also means you don’t have to worry about losing the adapter or slipping it under the seat while traveling. The only downside to this is that you can’t use the included Lightning EarPods or the limited selection of Lightning headphones.
This adapter supports 12W pass-through for charging, meaning it may not work with iPhone 8 Fast Charge, but it will normally work as fast as charging with a higher 12W adapter. With this adapter, you can continue to use the built-in remote and microphone in the headphones. Sells a version with Belkin Two Lightning ports for $39.99.
Apple Lighting Slot
Use the dock to listen to music at your desk while charging iPhone 8.
If you want to listen to music at the desk or next to the nightstand, you can use the Apple Lightning Dock. This accessory allows you to plug your iPhone 8 or iPhone X into a wall socket and then attach headphones or speakers to the back of the dock.
It’s not as mobile as the adapter above, but it’s useful for using speakers or if you’re listening to music at a desk using headphones for most of the day. Streaming music can consume battery life, so this is a handy way to keep your phone charged while listening to music. It is available in black, silver, gold and space gray.
Wireless charging
Another option is to charge wirelessly.
Another option if you’re going to be in a relatively fixed location is to plug in the earphones using the Lighting to 3.5mm adapter provided by Apple and use a wireless charger. iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X support qi wireless charging, so you can use it in various chargers at home or in your car.
This Belkin BoostUp Wireless Charging Pad and mophie wireless charging base $59.99 each at Apple and lots of third parties Wireless chargers for $15 and up at Amazon.
You can also buy a wireless iPhone 8 charger for your carso you can charge it that way and use the Lighting port to connect to your car’s aux-in using the Lighting to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter that Apple ships with the iPhone.
All of these charge your iPhone and let you use the Lightning port to connect headphones or a headphone adapter.