Charging your iPad Air 2 from a power outlet in Germany

Using the Apple USB Lightning cable and a Europlug Type C USB charger to recharge an iPad Air 2 from a German power outlet and charging an iPad Air 2 using a two pin Schuko Type F power adapter.

German power outlet

Different combinations of region codes and voltages can often be daunting when planning to visit a new country if you've never been there before. However this isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets used throughout the world this article shows exactly what you'll need in advance to charge the iPad Air 2 . These guidelines were specifically written to help assist people wanting to power the iPad Air 2 when they're staying in Germany.If staying in Germany these useful instructions show how to power your iPad Air 2 by using their types F or C 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, please note Type F wall outlets are normally used by a majority of Germans. When travelling to Germany from a different country ensure that your iPad Air 2 can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) check the iPad Air 2 is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to avoid the device from being damaged when charging it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on an iPad Air 2.

Charging an iPad Air 2 in Germany

Can you use an iPad Air 2 in Germany?

You can connect an iPad Air 2 to a German power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for recharging an iPad Air 2 in Germany?

If travelling with more than just your iPad Air 2 and visiting more than one country then the best travel power adapter for Germany is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of wall outlets in Germany (F and C) and using a travel adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by switching the supplied plugs. If your iPad Air 2 is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these types of USB power adapters, plus additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters this will allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time without needing to bring seperate travel adapters. By only needing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage and suitable for charging your iPad Air 2 at the airport or on a flight. Due to their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets using only a single power outlet.

We suggest searching for a flexible power adapter like this online; the multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Germany

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad Air 2, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable option for travellers originating from America going to Germany using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Germany. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging an iPad Air 2 in Germany?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Air 2 from a German power outlet

Using the Apple USB Lightning cable and a Europlug Type C USB charger to recharge an iPad Air 2 from a German power outlet.

  1. To charge your iPad Air 2 using the German power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the USB cable is typically supplied with the device by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can recognise the wall outlet by the 2 circular holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple power cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Switch on the German power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which typically takes around 60 to 240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Air 2 from a German power outlet

Powering an iPad Air 2 with a German power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning Apple cable with a double pinned Type F USB adapter to power your iPad Air 2 with a German power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Air 2 from a German power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the cable is normally supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Start by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the German power outlet. This circular power supply can be identified by the two 4.8mm adjacent holes next to each other, plus thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Switch on the German power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering an iPad Air 2 with a German power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Germany Wikipedia page
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  5. USB to Apple Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  6. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  7. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  8. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..