Charging your iPad Mini 2 from a power outlet in Germany

A guide showing how to charge your iPad Mini 2 from a German power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple cable and a Europlug Type C USB charger and powering the iPad Mini 2 using a two pin Schuko Type F power adapter.

German power outlet

Differing combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning on staying in another country, especially if you've never been there before. This page has been written to help assist travellers wanting to power their iPad Mini 2 when they're going abroad.This page has step-by-step instructions showing you exactly what you'll need to power your iPad Mini 2 when you are travelling to Germany using the standard F or C type German 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, most Germans will use the Type F plugs in their wall outlets. If you are visiting Germany from another country double check the iPad Mini 2 can be used with a 240v supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts check the iPad Mini 2 is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from overheating whilst powering it up. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini 2.

Charging the iPad Mini 2 in Germany

Can the iPad Mini 2 be used in Germany?

Yes, you can connect the iPad Mini 2 to a German power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

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

If travelling to more than one country or bringing along more than your iPad Mini 2 the best international travel adapter for Germany to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of plug sockets in Germany (F and C) and using a power adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by switching the supplied plugs over. If your iPad Mini 2 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times by using one of these USB travel chargers, and compatibility with certain power hungry devices like tablets. Having a four port adapter means you can charge more than one device at once without needing to bring individual power adapters or occupying additional power sockets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage as well as being suitable for charging your iPad Mini 2 at the airport or on the plane. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets without needing an additional wall outlet.

We recommend buying a versatile power charger of this nature online; the multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Germany

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPad Mini 2, but for visitors 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 useful for travellers to counties with unreliable power grids. These power converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Germany and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor 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.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This offers 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 ideal for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Germany. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini 2 in Germany?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from a German power outlet

Instructions showing how to charge your iPad Mini 2 with a German power outlet with a Lightning Apple cable and a Type C Europlug power charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPad Mini 2 from a German power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], typically already included with the iPad Mini 2.
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the power supply by the two circular holes next to each other where the twin pins go.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Apple power cable into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Turn on the German power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the tablet will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which should take around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from a German power outlet

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

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector and a Type F Schuko power adapter to recharge your iPad Mini 2 with a German power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Mini 2 using a German power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should normally supply this USB cable with the iPad Mini 2).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter into the German power outlet. The circular power supply, sometimes called the Type F power outlet [6], can be identified by the two round adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral along with a pair of thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Apple charging cord into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Switch on the German power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging, typically taking roughly one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a German power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia entry about Germany
  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..