Update a Bose 30 pin Sounddock to Apple lightning connector supporting charging and audio

Update a Bose 30 pin Sounddock to support iPhone 5 and 5S or iPad Mini with Apple lightning connector using the Ruark Audio lightning adapter support and the Apple Lightning to 30 pin Adapter.
This setup supports full dock functionality, including audio playback through the Bose, charging of the device and remote control of the device using the Bose IR remote control.
Also a demonstration of how a case similar to Apple's 5S leather case can prevent the Apple Lightning Adapter from connecting. Also works with iPhone 6 6s 7 7s plus.

[@benrichardson14]

Thank you David. This really helped and the support is a cheap option for the stability of the phone on the dock. Keep up the good work!

[@farlo144]

Thank you David! I've been struggling with this issue on my Sounddock II since the iPhone 5 came out. I just called Bose and talked to their support team about it and their suggestion was to send it in to them for them to repair for $100 or buy the Sounddock 3! I like your solution a lot better David. Well done mate!

[@davidjamesosborne]

Very glad to be of help, thank you for your comment.

[@chickenvittles]

Thank you so much for sharing this information!! Super helpful and now I can use my Bose Sounddock for longer.

[@bobmullaney]

Nice, simple, effective, affordable solution to extend the useful life of the Bose SoundDock. Thanks for sharing your solution.

[@Tube-bank]

David, thanks for your tip. I've decided to give it up for the moment. I'm just using the "wobbly" Apple adapter on its own and it seems to be working fine for me.

[@NorwegianQvirr]

Great! I've had my Bose with an i4s for a couple of years now and just updated to i6s, so this was great help :D Hope you are doing well!

[@davidjamesosborne]

Glad to help

[@nanciramage3260]

Great idea. Thanks for sharing. It works perfect, just as you described!

[@ssbib]

Thanks for all the info. Good to know it can be removed and this installed. I can always paint it black if there are no silver. Thanks very much for the video.

[@davidjamesosborne]

Thanks for saying thanks!

[@umbertoformicola9558]

Thanks for your clear and useful video!

[@11babymm]

This video is perfect! Huge help. Thanks

[@davidjamesosborne]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@parthivkurup1]

Awesome, thanks for the help! I've been thinking the same, that the 30 pin to Lightning adapter onto my Bose Sounddock II would then make the new setup flimsy. I can see that I need the universal adapter too or as Michael mentions, the dock III! Cheers.

[@davidjamesosborne]

Yes, the back support is what makes this adapter worthwhile for the Sounddock II. If only someone can make a lightning adapter or even a completely new dock which supports and properly fits the iPhone 6 Plus in the official Apple leather case I will be very happy. (I'm speaking about the issue with the case preventing a connection with the lightning connector)

[@Ghosttaff1]

Thanks for the vid!

[@RonCombo]

Really useful, thank you.

[@svenvandesijpe4045]

Clear, useful, thank u !!

I buyed both, and works great! the only (minor) problem, is that the adapter is almost impossible to remove! :P

[@arronb1]

Great Video!

[@kraftygmx]

Good work sir

[@laurahaughey]

Thank you for the tip!

[@davidjamesosborne]

Pleasure Laura

[@gemmamccalmont3974]

nice presentation style, good info. Not sure I could cope with the misaligned lip though. I'll have a search around the internet for a slightly cleaner solution but will go with this if I don't find anything. It's a shame Bose don't over official adapters. It's great kit but it's pricey and I don't want to replace a completely good system which has served me well and which I love!

[@davidjamesosborne]

Thank you for your positive feedback Gemma. I agree that the misaligned lip is an irritation but it is not a deal breaker for me as I think it still looks quite smart (and I can be quite fussy about these sorts of things).

[@sarahpage4177]

Great thank you, 👍

[@stigonutube]

Good ,Nice and Clear and explains all pitfalls i can think off. Why apple would change to such a dodgy system "not that 30pin is perfect but offered broader BASE support" . great video mate. @tj willy great comment and @davis osborne great answer as i did not know that and would have bought china cheapo and well @#$##@@..lol

[@rachelsfilmroll]

I have the same bose system as you, and am planning on buying an iphone 6, and was wondering, when you use the lightning to 30 pin connecter does it still charge up your phone and play music, as it does with my old (30 pin) ipod?

[@tndang53]

This is a great video! Thanks, I don't need to throw away my sound dock

[@ninocordova9631]

I Think ur so rich..

[@BlackEagleGermany]

lightning mount is also a thing to help, but black and white version.

[@kpowell8238]

Only trouble is finding the ruark audio lighting adapter in the U.S. only found in the u.k..... sold out on Amazon.... no other sellers...

[@viviendicks86]

Thanks for this - sorted out a simple problem for me... why won't my new iPod sit snugly on the Bose... Simples. The case.

[@davidjamesosborne]

Thanks Vivien, I wish Apple would provide a 'simples' solution to this case issue by making their lightning adapter have a raised section to fit into their own cases!

[@darrenhargreaves6995]

what connector do I need to connect my old ipod classic to my new bose docking station

[@carolestanford4480]

I’m having trouble connecting my iPhone with the Apple 30pin to lightning adapter. The sound comes through the phone not the dock. I have a cover on the phone, but the bottom is open. Any ideas of what I’m doing wrong

[@brucepeltier]

I bought the adapter at an Apple store, don't know if it's a 0.2mm. It includes a 5 inch wire so that my phone lays flat on the table while it is plugged into the Bose. If I dock it upright using the other kind of adapter (that has no wire), the phone blocks the receiver on the Bose and my remote does not work.

[@brucepeltier]

Had trouble making my SoundDock work with my new iPhone 6+ and lightning adapter. Called Bose, they recommended (get this!) that I reboot my phone. I did and it worked! Also, the 6+ is so big that it blocks the receiver on the Bose so that my remote won't work from a distance of more than two feet away. So, I use the apple adapter that has a little cable and it works perfectly.

[@davidjamesosborne]

Is that the 0.2m lightning to dock cable? I also have one of those which does get around the leather case issue. I prefer to have the phone docked upright though, rather than sitting next to the Sounddock. Great rebooting tip.... has always been a good fix since the early days of tv and computers! Thank you.

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

You can get the cabled version but it is sold out

[@Tube-bank]

David, great video, many thanks. Are you or anyone else still around to answer a question on the compatability of my Sound Dock Portable? Thanks, Peter England (UK)

[@davidjamesosborne]

Sure, I’ll do my best to answer.

[@stig5763]

Year 2020... Throw everything you have away in this video besides the boes docking station. Go and buy a Bluetooth receiver. Plug it in the audio out. Boom this old docking station is now a 100% Bluetooth enabled speaker. In the day we payed 600$ for these docking stations and they became obsolete. Well not anymore. This sounds better than any 100-200$ speaker on the market. It’s much better than my jbl pill style but it’s less portable.

[@Tube-bank]

Hello David, I’ve drafted the query I want to put to you with some links but frustratingly it seems I can’t paste a copy of it in KZbin “Comments”. Is that right? There’s no such thing as “Private Message” in KZbin is there? Peter

[@JuanSalazar-dc6re]

Buenos dias x favor me podrian informar. donde puedo conseguir ese adsptador _ lo necesito. _ gracias

[@Tube-bank]

Hello David, I meant to respond much earlier to your kind offer to answer my query. I’ve just got round to trying to fit the copy Ruark 30-pin to Lightning dock support by Proporta. Sorry for the delay in getting back. I’m having trouble fitting the adapter. When you say in your video feet in first then apply pressure at the back to snap it in, how much pressure can you use? Thanks, Peter

[@davidjamesosborne]

Peter Swinbank just seen your comment. Hope you have things working by now but if not...... the front ‘feet’ as I referred to them need to be slotted in first. Once they are aligned then pressing down on the back requires a fair amount of pressure as it is a substantial metal clip at the back. I would advise pressing straight down behind the metal bar and apply pressure ‘till it clicks in place. The clip is sprung metal so can take some force without issue.

[@Tube-bank]

@@davidjamesosborne David, it's great to hear from you. I'd given up on a response, so this had made my day. I'll try what you have just said - I'm worried about using too much force. I attach my iPhone SE a lot (to play and charge) to the Sound Dock and it works great. The dock must be 10 years old now but the battery seems to be ok - marvellous! I need to decide if once I get the Proporta to snap in to the dock to support my iPhone 5, can I live with not being easily able to attach my iPhone SE i.e. I don't want to be continually taking the Proporta out and replacing it with my Apple adapter so I can attach the iPhone SE. Does that make sense? Peter

[@Tube-bank]

David, I’ve had another go using a lot of pressure, but no luck. The Proporta “feet” look as if they are too short to reach the two slots in the Bose. Just for clarification, when you said “.... clip at the back. I would advise pressing straight down behind the metal bar ... “, did you mean “metal clip”? On the Proporta there just isn’t any room to get your fingers behind that metal clip to press down. I suspect there is room on the Ruark. Another thing worth mentioning and which may help is that I think my SoundDock Portable (Material Number 300657-2110 on box) is the version before yours. The tray does not look exactly the same. I’m beginning to think the Proporta was a poor copy of the Ruark badly made in China. Peter :-(

[@davidjamesosborne]

@@Tube-bank if you have a slightly different Sounddock and a different brand adapter it is difficult to say for certain. One trick that may work is to poke the metal clip into the slot (so it no longer sticks out) then just let the adapter rest in place. I did this accidentally on mine one time when fiddling with the clip. Might be worth a go?

[@adriannaleitner3806]

Hello. Do you need that little plastic thing that goes around the dock area because I am having problems with my Bose radio not playing or Eve charging the phone

[@davidjamesosborne]

Hi Adrianna, do you mean the grey plastic adapter in my video? The only piece you need is the white Apple 30pin dock to lightning adapter. However, the grey Ruark plastic adapter is there to provide support and look more integrated. If you have problems playing and charging, make sure you are using the official Apple adapter, I have found many of the alternative makes to be poorly built and not work in either playing or charging. I know the Apple ones are expensive but it's cheaper than a new Sounddock. David

[@kaloyanvasilev1523]

Hey there! Do you know, if it is still available.?

[@strebis6]

I bought this Apple 30 to 10 pin for my Bose sound Dock series II and my iPhone 5s charges but no music transfer. Very disappointing!

[@davidjamesosborne]

Hi Strebis6, I can assure you that the official Apple lightning to 30pin dock adapter does pass audio to the Sounddock as I use this setup everyday to play music. Is your adapter official Apple or 3rd party? If it is official then my guess would be a hardware fault somewhere.

[@strebis6]

+David Osborne it is an official Apple adapter. My iPad will work with it but not my 5s.

[@ssbib]

Do they come in black and how exactly do you remove the original rest from the Bose? Mine appears quite secure and I don't want to just pull it.

[@davidjamesosborne]

Hi Phill, I have only seen it in silver but I do not know whether other colours are available? To remove the original fitting I used a flathead screwdriver with a bit of paper folded over the end so as not to scratch the plastic. My video didn't actually show this well but just place the screwdriver into the slot at the behind the dock connector and then push down and it will suddenly pop out. It takes a bit of a firm push and do make sure that you cover the screwdriver with paper or card so it doesn't scratch the plastic.

[@victorl.almgren2485]

Does the support cradle also fit on the bose sounddock series I?

[@davidjamesosborne]

I have not tested it but it fits in the Apple 'universal' fitting that the Sounddock 1 also uses so the answer should be yes. I have not seen it available to buy in white although you could remove the metal bar and spray it gloss white to match the Sounddock 1.

[@danieljohnson6623]

David, do you have a link to this adapter so that i can buy it?

[@davidjamesosborne]

I’m afraid they are no longer stocked in John Lewis where I bought them from. EBay or similar may be your best option? Hope you can find them.

[@wallacebchase]

can you tell me if your phone will charge with this solution? Thank You

[@davidjamesosborne]

Yes, all original functions work. Charging, music, IR remote control. You must be using the official Apple connector to ensure that music works, some 3rd party adapters do not work.

[@mdconn22]

When using with the Bose Wave Dock, does this solution still charge the phone?

[@davidjamesosborne]

This solution uses the official Apple Lightning to 30 pin Dock connector and supports all the functionality that the dock you connect to supports. ie. if your Bose Wave dock charges and plays music so will this solution. Thanks for watching.

[@JuanSalazar-dc6re]

Buenas tardes xfa la dirección donde puedo comprarlo _ gracias

[@janicebrigance1813]

I just saw your video and i do not think they make these anymore. Darn...

[@andreaquijano8179]

Hi! Do you know if it works with the lightning to 30 pin Adapter (.2m)?

[@davidjamesosborne]

Hi Andrea, I can confirm that all the functionality of the Sounddock is available in the same way when using the 0.2m lightning cable but the Ruark adapter is not really suitable with this cable it is best just used on its own. The 0.2m lightning cable is not flexible enough to tuck inside the Ruark adapter and let the iPhone sit on top. However the 0.2m lightning cable from Apple does fit with the iPhone 5S leather cases!

[@guthriefamilyvideos8301]

Does this method work for Bose Sound Dock 1 for iPhone 5s

[@davidjamesosborne]

Guthrie Family Videos , It does use the same 'universal' dock fitting that the original SoundDock 1 uses so the answer should be yes but I haven't tried it. David

[@ssbib]

Where did you get this new rest from?

[@davidjamesosborne]

I bought it from John Lewis department store in the UK but I have also seen it on Amazon. Search for 'Ruark Lightning Adapter'.

[@davidperry4013]

Does this work with a series 1 bose sounddock.

[@davidjamesosborne]

Hi David, It does use the same 'universal' dock fitting that the original SoundDock 1 uses so the answer should be yes but I haven't tried it. David

[@sPaZzO2stronk]

I seem to have trouble connecting it. When i use the 30pin to thunderbolt, it charges, but the audio continues to output through the phone instead of the sounddock. Any suggestions? Would be much appreciated!

[@davidjamesosborne]

Hi Vinson, May I ask if you have purchased the official Apple 30 pin to Lightning adapter? It is more expensive than 3rd party makes but part of the reason for this is that it has built in DAC circuitry (Digital to Audio Converter) to connect to analogue audio pins on the 30 pin dock connector. I suspect that many of the cheaper makes of adapter do not include this, therefore they charge but don't play audio. David

[@sPaZzO2stronk]

Ohh okay, I did buy a third party one from a store, but i'll be sure to grab the adapter to double check if that works! Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes :)

[@Photodude413]

Can someone please tell me if this also works with the Bose portable sound dock?

[@davidjamesosborne]

Hi Jorge, I do not own a Sounddock Portable to test this with, however I do know that they use the same removable 'universal' dock adapter. Therefore the Ruark Lightning adapter should fit in as it does in my video. The only obvious caveat is that the Ruark adapter would need to be removed if you wish to close the Sounddock Portable's dock frame that tucks away inside the unit when travelling. Hope this helps you. David

[@Photodude413]

David Osborne yes, it definitely helps, thanks. I knew that I would have to take it off to close the base part which is fine, I was just wondering if it had that removable part also so that I would be able to place this in. Thank you.

[@davidjamesosborne]

***** Hi Jorge, I checked for you and the Bose Portable Sounddock does have the same removeable universal adapter plate. You can remove this and use this Ruark adapter with no problem.

[@thesquirrelman6420]

Does it Charge the 5s??

[@davidjamesosborne]

Hi Kim, Yes it certainly does charge the 5s. This setup supports every single one of the Sounddock's original features. It will charge all lightning iPhones from the 5 through to the 6 plus. It will also play music and allows the Sounddock's IR remote to control the music playback on the phone (play, pause, changing tracks etc). Hope this helps you out, David

[@mikster2525]

I have found the 'Apple Universal Dock' support.apple.com/kb/HT1380 and was looking for something just like this, GOOD FIND! I will try it on my Pioneer z-smc3

[@tjwilly]

I was under the impression the 30 pin adapter did not pass audio.

[@davidjamesosborne]

Some of the 3rd party adapters only support power and not audio. However, the official Apple 30pin to Lightning has a DAC converter in it to support audio through the 30pin dock, so music plays great through this setup.

[@chinyanyie]

How many inch is that fullrange speaker.

[@davidjamesosborne]

Inside are two 2.25″ paper cone speakers but the Bose sound output is much better than that spec would imply.

[@chinyanyie]

@@davidjamesosborne i found some 2.75inch speaker can it fit??

[@chinyanyie]

@@davidjamesosborne like their soundtouch 10 speaker

[@davidjamesosborne]

stanley chin Not sure I am afraid. It is quite compact in there.

[@chinyanyie]

@@davidjamesosborne thanks for the reply.

[@ozzzz1994]

Why not just get a wireless adapter?

[@davidjamesosborne]

Hi Ozzzz1994, wireless Bluetooth audio dock adapters are great for playing music and cost about £25. However, they do not charge the phone which is of major importance to me as the Sounddock is in the bedroom and charges my phone overnight. Cheers.

[@north-noise9826]

欲しいけど日本じゃ買えない

[@Largie67]

why do you go on so much, just get on with the review.