New iPads - Headphone choices?

[Dave Winter]

Kia ora e te whānau 

With new iPads not supporting headphones with a 3.5 jack -- I am interested in knowing what people are doing (for juniors in particular)?

An over ear option with USB-c built in is probably the preference but I am struggling to find a reasonably priced one that is robust from a New Zealand supplier.

Would be delighted to get the  lowdown from the Techies 

Ngā mihi Dave

 

[Matt Strickland]

Would you consider the USB-C to 3.5mm jack? for ~$10-15 and use the existing 3.5mm headphones?

Its a bit like myself sourcing good quality wired apple keyboards as I don't use the wireless ones. I use the Satechi ones currently. (Or use what old apple ones I have with a A to C adaptor)

Matt

[Jeffrey B]

Aliexpress or Temu, if your juniors are anything like ours subtlety is not yet an acquired skill.  Nice 1-2$ 3.5 adaptors that are readily replaceable are a far more pragmatic choice.

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From: 'Matt Strickland' via Techies for schools <techies-f...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:15:04 PM
To: Techies for schools <techies-f...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [techies-for-schools] Re: New iPads - Headphone choices?

 

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[Stephen Moran]

There’s a couple of options out there for tough cases with a built in head-phone jack ie USB-C>3.5mm.  While they’re dearer than your basics, it’s easier to replace a case for a damaged headphone jack or USB C receiver than a whole iPad.

Stephen

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[Jeffrey B]

Colour me interested, any links? We have had to trash several older ipads due to snapped off headphone plugs with their lack of ability to disable jack sensing.

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From: techies-f...@googlegroups.com <techies-f...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Stephen Moran <ste...@entity.nz>
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2025 1:39:57 PM
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Subject: Re: [techies-for-schools] New iPads - Headphone choices?

 

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[Pete Mundy]

One neat way to extract a broken headphone plug from the socket is to cut one of the older style of cotton earbuds sticks in half - the older plastic ones - then insert the open end of the plastic tube down into the socket and down over the stuck tip. Pull back slowly to extract. If it won't hold, try a very small drip of CA ('superglue') and give it time to set before trying again. If it's already broken then what more damage can you do, might as well try :)

Pete

[Stephen Moran]

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TAASTM6195239/STM-Dux-OX-Case-with-a-built-in-aux-headphone-port

Lightning (and USB-C)>Aux adapters should always override the internal headphone jack so unless that port was also problematic that was how we always got around it if we couldn’t get the jack tips out.  

Stephen

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[William Hamilton]

I have a set of micro drill bits (with pin vice) which I have used with a decent success rate for extraction..  grab enough of the plastic to be able to pull it out; otherwise, it's off to Pete's suggestion with CA glue

Something along the line sof. https://www.franklinhobbies.co.nz/collections/drills-drill-bits

this one is pretty cheap. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006413522189.html

W

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[Jeffrey B]

Thanks for the pointers to the integrated case and the repair options.  Have tried the mini drills, glue, hot paperclip and even building a shim out of a v can for some but they are very well wedged.  These are basically EOL with unsupported ios versions anyway so gave up in the end. Good to have more options for the ones worth fixing though.

Jeffrey.

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From: techies-f...@googlegroups.com <techies-f...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of William Hamilton <william....@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2025 3:00:58 PM
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Subject: Re: [techies-for-schools] broken 3.5mm minijack plugs

 

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[Dave Winter]

Thanks for all that's great info and the leads. 

I like the idea of an integrated solution especially into the headphone cord but with the pricing an adapter seems like a good option.

Dave Winter - Book a meeting with me

Network Delivery Manager - Kaiwhakahaere o Manaiakalani  Mobile: +64 0211769425 | Email: dave....@manaiakalani.org

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