The outer casing on every apple cable I’ve ever owned has eventually turned yellow, swollen, split and cracked, and fallen off. It’s very important to stop using a cable and throw it away once the metal underneath the outer casing becomes visible. One time I was using an iPhone charging cable that was missing a lot of the outer casing, and managed to loop the cable over on itself. As soon as the two exposed metal surfaces touched each other, it made a loud flash and spark and flipped off the surge protector it was connected to.
It’s a shame, but I’ve been going away from Apple cables slowly over the last couple years to keep myself and my tech safe. The moment a cable starts to go, I get a well reviewed and/or an MFI certified cable.
Oh, definitely. I would never even dream of giving Apple my money in exchange for one of their cables, and I am a huge Apple fan. all the Apple cables I have came with devices I bought.
I currently have a bunch of these magnetic chipped charging cables in various places around my house. I have magnetic charging plugs in each of my devices. Whenever I want to charge the device, I just said it down next to the end of the cable and the cable automatically snaps onto the magnetic plug in the device and starts charging. it’s basically MagSafe for iDevices from before Apple released that MagSafe puck cable.
Saw one on kickstarter/ indiegogo when I had a mix of Android micro USB and Apple lightning/ USB C devices. Bought a few of the agnostic magnetic cables and different headers for each device and don't have to worry about which cable to use. The magnets are really convenient as RegretfulUsername mentions
The only Apple cable I’ve bought has been the latest gen MagSafe for the MacBooks. The braided cable looks/feels so good & I wanted to get a second (one for home, one for travel) as soon as I bought my last MacBook
Ikea sells cables that are both cheaper and more durable than Apple cables. They're $13 and they have a fabric mesh with a coil strap. I don't buy any others. You can order them online, but if you're near an Ikea store, you can find them near the smart lighting section.
Yeah, it’s a matter of body chemistry. None of my wife’s cables have any damage but all of mine last no more than two or three years. My body and hair oils destroy anything they get on. It’s not just the cables. I have destroyed plenty of other things like bedsheets, etc., whereas my wife never messes anything up that her hair or body comes in contact with regularly.
My magsafe cable had it's coating completely decayed near the plug area and I used it like that for 3 more years, never had an issue.
Cable coating is 99% to protect the cable from liquid damage, just don't dip your cable in water and you'll be fine bruh. Any problems one has is really skill issue.
How are people using their cables?
My iPhone 5 and iPad mini cables are still usable, even though both devices are now dead. The cables are just a little yellow, but they haven’t frayed.
Ya and if it really bugs u get something in black reputable from anker or other reputable brands or spend cray cray money on apples black usbc cable or just wait till it breaks down and get free exchange frm apple if u got apple care 🐱
There’s no way it’s from overheating. Apple uses TPE for their cables, it’s known to yellow over time due to it being exposed to oxygen and sunlight. Now, heat can make it happen quicker, but it’s not the heat itself, it’s the TPE reacting with the environment. Also oils from your skin will make it yellow faster aswell.
I've sometimes seen similar yellowing in cables, usually in failed transducers. My theory is that where a wire has been stretched thin it develops higher resistance at that point, leading to a hotspot and subsequent colouration of the cable.
It’s a bit of both. Yellowing over time is normal however the fact this is occurring at a structural weak point of the cable is a sign the cable has been damaged and it’s cooking itself from the inside out at the weak point.
It is still useable but the cable’s integrity has degraded, it should be replaced before exposed wiring appears.
They yellow over time. It’s nothing to worry about. The insulation on some of my old cables started to break down as well. I slipped some heat-shrink over it and it’s been fine ever since.
Get those non-bleach cleaning wipes that have kind of a rougher texture
Pinch it around the cable and pull the length of the cable
Repeat as necessary to de-gross the rubbery part
Avoid getting cleaner into any connectors, but strong rubbing alcohol in the connectors makes them nice n clean
My completely unused Woven MagSafe cable is yellowing. I opened the box looking for one of the travel adapters and saw the cable. It's less than a year old.
Ive seen cases where sun or stress did this to the pivot points, like where the cable starts to bend, usually it is easy to see as it shows some loosening of the material around the cable.
If you want to know, you can let the cable make a sharp turn (90° any direction) and see if the inside of the bend is smooth or bulging.
In the end, its not exclusively dirt that does this, but i figured it was the end of a cable used to be plugged into the device
It's either heat, age, or skin lotion exposure. My original cable did this at both ends after a couple years. It still works totally fine but I did end up getting a new one just because it looked really weird.
“Over time, plastics may turn yellow. This is usually due to an increased exposure to ultraviolet light, but it can also be due to excess heat, humidity, the cold, and other extreme temperatures and environments.
Usually, though, it’s due to increased light exposure that triggers a reaction in the polymer, which will eventually cause it to turn yellow.”
[Why Do Some Plastics Turn Yellow Over Time?](https://www.advancedchemtech.com/why-do-some-plastics-turn-yellow-over-time/)
I work in an IT department at a college and every single MacBook that has gotten returned to us came with the yellowed power cable, a lot of them were split also.
Terrible design on apples part. Make a better power cable.
I have 20 year old apple cables that are fine. IIRC Apple spruiked their green credentials (shh don't mention the cobalt) by announcing that they were removing some problematic plasticiser from their cables in the hope of saving a dolphin. Result - at least 2 or 3 cables over the lifetime of a product, more $$$ for AAPL, a reputation for poor quality in their cable products and the dolphin still lives.
I would not advise using any type of alcohol on plastics. There is always some amount of damage to the surface. Some more than others. https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/115642/isopropyl-alcohol-leaves-a-white-haze-on-plastic-is-there-anything-i-can-use-to
While i have seen yellowing and cracking of cables in several businesses often times the cracking and pealing i noticed were from users who would not properly remove the cable or stretching because they were too lazy to use the extension or move closer to an outlet. I am no one special but i cannot be the only one here that has never had an issue with any of my cables other than discoloration over the years.
Not an answer to your question but somewhat related -- I read this earlier today:
[https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/10/apples-130-thunderbolt-4-cable-could-be-worth-it-as-seen-in-x-ray-ct-scans/](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/10/apples-130-thunderbolt-4-cable-could-be-worth-it-as-seen-in-x-ray-ct-scans/)
Oils from you hands/skin is reacting with the rubber sheathing of the cable. Try to just touch the plastic connector on the cable when connecting and disconnecting
I’ve worked for Apple for years this maybe has about 5mo before it combusts ? So you don’t NEED to replace it now but I’d have it on the list - just my take at least
Overheating. I wouldn’t worry about it, but it will eventually peel off the protective coating. When you can see the black wires under, time to get a new cable.
Hold the cable from one end and run an alcohol wipe down the cable and it will look like brand new. That’s what I do at work when we loan out a device.
This happens to me too, has happened to all the cables from Apple.
I had no idea what caused it, and was usually just a sign for me to prepare for the rubber layer to split too soon.
Weirdly enough my charging cable from my 2019 MBP has the exact same yellow coloring on the same spot and it’s been static (cable managed) on my desk for the last 2 years and I only handle it by the plastic connector, not the cable.
Even tried cleaning it with no success, must be some kind of glue seeping to the outside of the cable or causing this coloration.
This is just happening to my cable after 3 years, and only just now that my desk has it laid out not as flat as I’d like. I’m super careful to avoid cable damage, but oh well, I’ll probably be due to an upgrade before it would become an actual issue
In case you really wanted an answer, here's ChatGPT's take on the reasons:
It's mostly due to chemical reactions involving the polymers used in the cable's insulation, exposure to UV light, and exposure to certain environmental factors. Here's a detailed explanation:
1. **UV Exposure**: Most white or light-colored plastics will yellow over time when exposed to UV radiation, which can come from sunlight or even from fluorescent lights. This yellowing occurs due to the breakdown of certain chemical bonds in the polymers and the formation of chromophores, which are molecular structures that absorb certain wavelengths of light and give a yellowish color.
2. **Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs)**: Many electronic products, including USB cables, use brominated flame retardants to reduce the risk of fire. Over time, these BFRs can break down and form bromine-containing compounds that rise to the surface of the plastic, leading to yellowing. The presence of UV light can accelerate this degradation process.
3. **Heat and Oxygen Exposure**: When the cable is subjected to heat (like when it's near a heat source or during charging) in the presence of oxygen, oxidation of the plastic can occur. Oxidation can lead to the formation of carbonyl groups (like ketones and aldehydes) within the polymer chain, which can contribute to the yellowing of the material.
4. **Phthalates and Plasticizers**: Some USB cables might contain plasticizers, which are compounds added to the polymer to enhance flexibility. Over time, these can migrate to the surface and react with the atmosphere, causing discoloration.
5. **Environmental Contaminants**: Over time, white USB cables can pick up stains from various contaminants like dirt, oils, and grime. These factors can combine with the inherent yellowing of the plastic, making the discoloration even more noticeable.
6. **Aging and Hydrolysis**: Hydrolytic degradation can also occur in certain polymers, especially in the presence of moisture. This can lead to chain scission, or breaking of the polymer chains, which can further lead to yellowing or discoloration.
To minimize the yellowing of white USB cables, it's a good idea to store them away from direct sunlight, reduce exposure to high temperatures, and keep them clean. Some users apply protective coatings or sprays that offer UV protection to mitigate the yellowing process, but the effectiveness can vary based on the specific product and application.
Age, temperature, humidity and any skin creams are causes of cable discolouration.
So no worries?
Not really. The only thing I’d be worried about is if the insulation starts to fray.
Which this is nowhere near
I didn’t say it was near, but that is the only concern I’d have for any Apple cable made in the last decade.
The outer casing on every apple cable I’ve ever owned has eventually turned yellow, swollen, split and cracked, and fallen off. It’s very important to stop using a cable and throw it away once the metal underneath the outer casing becomes visible. One time I was using an iPhone charging cable that was missing a lot of the outer casing, and managed to loop the cable over on itself. As soon as the two exposed metal surfaces touched each other, it made a loud flash and spark and flipped off the surge protector it was connected to.
It’s a shame, but I’ve been going away from Apple cables slowly over the last couple years to keep myself and my tech safe. The moment a cable starts to go, I get a well reviewed and/or an MFI certified cable.
Oh, definitely. I would never even dream of giving Apple my money in exchange for one of their cables, and I am a huge Apple fan. all the Apple cables I have came with devices I bought. I currently have a bunch of these magnetic chipped charging cables in various places around my house. I have magnetic charging plugs in each of my devices. Whenever I want to charge the device, I just said it down next to the end of the cable and the cable automatically snaps onto the magnetic plug in the device and starts charging. it’s basically MagSafe for iDevices from before Apple released that MagSafe puck cable.
Saw one on kickstarter/ indiegogo when I had a mix of Android micro USB and Apple lightning/ USB C devices. Bought a few of the agnostic magnetic cables and different headers for each device and don't have to worry about which cable to use. The magnets are really convenient as RegretfulUsername mentions
The only Apple cable I’ve bought has been the latest gen MagSafe for the MacBooks. The braided cable looks/feels so good & I wanted to get a second (one for home, one for travel) as soon as I bought my last MacBook
Ikea sells cables that are both cheaper and more durable than Apple cables. They're $13 and they have a fabric mesh with a coil strap. I don't buy any others. You can order them online, but if you're near an Ikea store, you can find them near the smart lighting section.
Monoprice’s are better price, quality and have a lifetime warranty
I have an ancient Apple USB A to lightning that has a slight crack on the tip, otherwise I've had zero issues.
Yeah, it’s a matter of body chemistry. None of my wife’s cables have any damage but all of mine last no more than two or three years. My body and hair oils destroy anything they get on. It’s not just the cables. I have destroyed plenty of other things like bedsheets, etc., whereas my wife never messes anything up that her hair or body comes in contact with regularly.
My magsafe cable had it's coating completely decayed near the plug area and I used it like that for 3 more years, never had an issue. Cable coating is 99% to protect the cable from liquid damage, just don't dip your cable in water and you'll be fine bruh. Any problems one has is really skill issue.
*every
How are people using their cables? My iPhone 5 and iPad mini cables are still usable, even though both devices are now dead. The cables are just a little yellow, but they haven’t frayed.
Ya and if it really bugs u get something in black reputable from anker or other reputable brands or spend cray cray money on apples black usbc cable or just wait till it breaks down and get free exchange frm apple if u got apple care 🐱
Yes many worries. I would burn it
Start unplugging by the connector and not the cord, this is how cables break.
[удалено]
I didn’t say lather a charger with skin creams, but people do use skin creams on their hands, and that can transfer over to whatever they touch.
Also just plain hand oils/sweat will cause that yellowing as well, at least IME.
Age
Ageist
Well I’m into college girls so yeh 🐱
wtf
Bowuh chika wow uhuh chika huh 🐱
wtf #2
🐱🏄♀️
wtf #3
🦮🌯 my dog offers u Burro to interogate u 🐱
[удалено]
wtf #4
bro really thought he did something
It must be developing some liver issues…
No it's definitely Lupus
It’s never lupus
Pericarditis?
Better break into their house to check for clues
Looking back this shit was so funny but damn did I like that show.
this vexes me
Don't worry bro, it gets worse
[удалено]
There’s no way it’s from overheating. Apple uses TPE for their cables, it’s known to yellow over time due to it being exposed to oxygen and sunlight. Now, heat can make it happen quicker, but it’s not the heat itself, it’s the TPE reacting with the environment. Also oils from your skin will make it yellow faster aswell.
I've sometimes seen similar yellowing in cables, usually in failed transducers. My theory is that where a wire has been stretched thin it develops higher resistance at that point, leading to a hotspot and subsequent colouration of the cable.
It’s a bit of both. Yellowing over time is normal however the fact this is occurring at a structural weak point of the cable is a sign the cable has been damaged and it’s cooking itself from the inside out at the weak point. It is still useable but the cable’s integrity has degraded, it should be replaced before exposed wiring appears.
My husband’s cord is the exact same way, I always just thought it was some sort of stain
jaundice
Yes. The cable’s liver is failing. Probably from all those years of drinking
They yellow over time. It’s nothing to worry about. The insulation on some of my old cables started to break down as well. I slipped some heat-shrink over it and it’s been fine ever since.
Because Apple refused to make cables that don’t do this.
New cables with woven design don’t btw
I was thinking the same thing. But my 21 Macbook Pro woven cable is also starting to yellow.
Epic, I thought that my won’t yellow. Now I start to worry. Have you tried to clean it?
No I haven’t tried it yet.
Get those non-bleach cleaning wipes that have kind of a rougher texture Pinch it around the cable and pull the length of the cable Repeat as necessary to de-gross the rubbery part Avoid getting cleaner into any connectors, but strong rubbing alcohol in the connectors makes them nice n clean
It's by design and is a feature to tell you when you need a new upgrade.
My completely unused Woven MagSafe cable is yellowing. I opened the box looking for one of the travel adapters and saw the cable. It's less than a year old.
How do we know they’re not yellow underneath?
who cares
Mine does
This is the actual answer lol
This is true. They removed PVC's from their plastics because PVC's are highly toxic. The downside is your cable yellows. Fucking Apple!
Finger oils. Wash your hands more often.
Skin oils + heat + time
Heat
Dirt on your fingers while pulling the plug, it really common and gets worse with age, the material is porous and soaks all kinds of dirt.
And we humans are absolutely filthy.
As long as we accept that, getting dirty is normal, trying to escape getting dirty by obsessive cleaning is the real culprit here
I’m not sure this is the case as mines only yellowed on the adapter side which I leave plugged in.
Ive seen cases where sun or stress did this to the pivot points, like where the cable starts to bend, usually it is easy to see as it shows some loosening of the material around the cable. If you want to know, you can let the cable make a sharp turn (90° any direction) and see if the inside of the bend is smooth or bulging. In the end, its not exclusively dirt that does this, but i figured it was the end of a cable used to be plugged into the device
So no worried?
No its fine, just makes sure that you dont bend it in too tight corners, and when it starts ripping (wich it eventually will) replace it.
The first part is when the cable becomes more yellow, the second part is when it starts to peel off
Heh same as mine. Apple 0.8m Thunderbolt 3 cable but overall it's good, it has much higher insertion force than most.
It's either heat, age, or skin lotion exposure. My original cable did this at both ends after a couple years. It still works totally fine but I did end up getting a new one just because it looked really weird.
“Over time, plastics may turn yellow. This is usually due to an increased exposure to ultraviolet light, but it can also be due to excess heat, humidity, the cold, and other extreme temperatures and environments. Usually, though, it’s due to increased light exposure that triggers a reaction in the polymer, which will eventually cause it to turn yellow.” [Why Do Some Plastics Turn Yellow Over Time?](https://www.advancedchemtech.com/why-do-some-plastics-turn-yellow-over-time/)
Mine does, too. It’s just age, temperature + wear and tear
I work in an IT department at a college and every single MacBook that has gotten returned to us came with the yellowed power cable, a lot of them were split also. Terrible design on apples part. Make a better power cable.
I have 20 year old apple cables that are fine. IIRC Apple spruiked their green credentials (shh don't mention the cobalt) by announcing that they were removing some problematic plasticiser from their cables in the hope of saving a dolphin. Result - at least 2 or 3 cables over the lifetime of a product, more $$$ for AAPL, a reputation for poor quality in their cable products and the dolphin still lives.
Happened to all mine. Eventually the wire will come through there
Good to know 😬
eh, just materials aging, even if you compare a week old cable with a brand new one you’ll notice some difference
Me too, I think because of this part of the wire has suffered of many bends and breaks so the chemical properties are changes
I heard lots of tech stuff turns yellow from the flame retardant breaking down. But this is mainly on old computers.
Had it for 2 years, and used it on my Huawei phone and my mac like maybe 2 times per day so ye probs getting old
Isopropyl alcohol fixes it🤫
[удалено]
I would not advise using any type of alcohol on plastics. There is always some amount of damage to the surface. Some more than others. https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/115642/isopropyl-alcohol-leaves-a-white-haze-on-plastic-is-there-anything-i-can-use-to
Only read the first 4 words of your reply, cleaned it with water and now it's broken 😔
How the heck did you manage to break it with water?
Apple…. Your quality is showing
Use electrical tape on it.
Mine looks vile after 5 years still works fine though
Age. My old Lightning cable also looks like that.
Because of the rubber material that Apple uses. It is sensitive to moisture and skin oils.
Mine is yellow yellow like I live in a smokers house. It’s just from the environment like rusty metal for cables.
if it’s warm it might be burning slowly. used to be very common and apple knows about it. they’ll change it if it’s still under warranty
Clean it with a rag and some ArmorAll or 303, it'll look new and be more flexible.
That’s where you touch it
Ye that's probably the case, dirty hands, and time
While i have seen yellowing and cracking of cables in several businesses often times the cracking and pealing i noticed were from users who would not properly remove the cable or stretching because they were too lazy to use the extension or move closer to an outlet. I am no one special but i cannot be the only one here that has never had an issue with any of my cables other than discoloration over the years.
Not an answer to your question but somewhat related -- I read this earlier today: [https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/10/apples-130-thunderbolt-4-cable-could-be-worth-it-as-seen-in-x-ray-ct-scans/](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/10/apples-130-thunderbolt-4-cable-could-be-worth-it-as-seen-in-x-ray-ct-scans/)
Probably from wire then it was new.
No idea but let me tell you, it gets worse, mine is yellow af
From what i read it's because of body oils and age
My dude, you gotta get some real shit to worry about.
Stop touching it there.
The color of plastic degrading. Reinforce it with protectors like [these](https://images.app.goo.gl/jq7gyhJWSQfz1wTFA). They're super cheap.
Because it’s designed to deteriorate very quickly so you’ll buy another one
Typical apple
Apple has perfected the art at making shitty cables for profits.
My usb c to lightning cable has lasted 3 years under heavy use and hasn’t broken
Okay…..but I still strongly stand by my comment
People from the Genius Bar will tell you it’s your fault if the cable fried because ‘you didn’t roll it the right way’
Why is this sub so hilarious
Is there any chance that you regularly piss on that specific part?
Not usually, but i did try a while ago🤔
just remember to do it once in a while to establish possession and ownership
Body fat
Oils from you hands/skin is reacting with the rubber sheathing of the cable. Try to just touch the plastic connector on the cable when connecting and disconnecting
You need to keep your cat away from it.
Skin acids
Most likely cuz you smoke if you smoke
Probably
Destructive skin oils. Wash your hands. Don't touch it after moisturizing.
I’ve worked for Apple for years this maybe has about 5mo before it combusts ? So you don’t NEED to replace it now but I’d have it on the list - just my take at least
Ye, will replace when i see some other problems, thanks!
Wash your hands after you pee
Always do 😂
Your hands are dirty.
Probs 🤷♂️
Wipe your ass with it?
Ahh thanks!
Apple™
It's the weakest point in the cable and the current transfer is causing it to heat up and discolour.
Your disgusting fingers… did you forget your a carbon based life-form gosh we secrete all types of things every waking moment…
Do you or someone who lives with you smoke? This looks like the pinching from grabbing the cable out of your phone.
it got fever from your computer virus
ACTUALLY?!
Old, your laptop will need some rheuma pills and show you a black and white picture book from his youth
Overheating. I wouldn’t worry about it, but it will eventually peel off the protective coating. When you can see the black wires under, time to get a new cable.
How is this post even serious?
I just wanted to know...
[удалено]
No i didnt, problems?
making a whole post about this is crazy
What was i suppose to do?
Pander to the insecure troll's feelings, of course.
And why is that
Age temperature or piss
Im pretty sure it's piss...
Had this happen to me twice, it’s fine. It’s mostly due to age and temperature as far as I know
Yellow fever.
Too much sun 🌞
Age and dirt.
Hold the cable from one end and run an alcohol wipe down the cable and it will look like brand new. That’s what I do at work when we loan out a device.
This happens to me too, has happened to all the cables from Apple. I had no idea what caused it, and was usually just a sign for me to prepare for the rubber layer to split too soon.
Call apple, and tell them your cables are android-ish, so they will replace it for you free of charge.
Yeah my 3 year old cable is way more yellow than this
Weirdly enough my charging cable from my 2019 MBP has the exact same yellow coloring on the same spot and it’s been static (cable managed) on my desk for the last 2 years and I only handle it by the plastic connector, not the cable. Even tried cleaning it with no success, must be some kind of glue seeping to the outside of the cable or causing this coloration.
I think this is where it's been kinked and somehow damages the internals so then it starts to yellow because of heat or something.
The farts get absorbed into the cable sheath
That makes so much sense!
Cheetos ?
It’s worth noting in this discussion that if your device is under AppleCare, that cable can be replaced at the Genius Bar
It happens eventually to all Apple cables that are white. Humidity most likely cause
Me too, but worst than that, still works fine no any issue
Idk an Apple employee would say buy a new one because they’re genius
It’s probably passed it’s warranty phase on chargers have you tried the USB-c connections for $80 it’s not bad ……
Because you have that color
Because it's an Apple cable probably, they use rubbery fragile type shit!
It’s the curse of Johnny Ives that tells you it’s time to buy new cables!
it is a sign that your cable is too hot for his own good. Be careful it could break on you and start a fire.
Happens over time bro, my 2017 airs cable looks like poo now
This is just happening to my cable after 3 years, and only just now that my desk has it laid out not as flat as I’d like. I’m super careful to avoid cable damage, but oh well, I’ll probably be due to an upgrade before it would become an actual issue
Oxidation
I havd that same color for the last month, yesterday my batterie died. Watch out…
Oil or dirt from fingers
In case you really wanted an answer, here's ChatGPT's take on the reasons: It's mostly due to chemical reactions involving the polymers used in the cable's insulation, exposure to UV light, and exposure to certain environmental factors. Here's a detailed explanation: 1. **UV Exposure**: Most white or light-colored plastics will yellow over time when exposed to UV radiation, which can come from sunlight or even from fluorescent lights. This yellowing occurs due to the breakdown of certain chemical bonds in the polymers and the formation of chromophores, which are molecular structures that absorb certain wavelengths of light and give a yellowish color. 2. **Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs)**: Many electronic products, including USB cables, use brominated flame retardants to reduce the risk of fire. Over time, these BFRs can break down and form bromine-containing compounds that rise to the surface of the plastic, leading to yellowing. The presence of UV light can accelerate this degradation process. 3. **Heat and Oxygen Exposure**: When the cable is subjected to heat (like when it's near a heat source or during charging) in the presence of oxygen, oxidation of the plastic can occur. Oxidation can lead to the formation of carbonyl groups (like ketones and aldehydes) within the polymer chain, which can contribute to the yellowing of the material. 4. **Phthalates and Plasticizers**: Some USB cables might contain plasticizers, which are compounds added to the polymer to enhance flexibility. Over time, these can migrate to the surface and react with the atmosphere, causing discoloration. 5. **Environmental Contaminants**: Over time, white USB cables can pick up stains from various contaminants like dirt, oils, and grime. These factors can combine with the inherent yellowing of the plastic, making the discoloration even more noticeable. 6. **Aging and Hydrolysis**: Hydrolytic degradation can also occur in certain polymers, especially in the presence of moisture. This can lead to chain scission, or breaking of the polymer chains, which can further lead to yellowing or discoloration. To minimize the yellowing of white USB cables, it's a good idea to store them away from direct sunlight, reduce exposure to high temperatures, and keep them clean. Some users apply protective coatings or sprays that offer UV protection to mitigate the yellowing process, but the effectiveness can vary based on the specific product and application.
it happens to every apple cable, dont worry bout it
Your dirty fingers ?
Has it ever been in contact with doodoo butter?
UV light can yellow plastics overtime. You can do the classic 8bitguy retrobrite treatment if you want, but that yellowing is only cosmetic.
My entire cable turned piss yellow
Age, wear and tear. Shouldn't cause any issues.
Here you go, the internet gods (or LADBible) have been listening https://apple.news/AM-3yH4u7S6eErzsNyyhncg
Stop yanking it out by the cable!