How to charge the iPad Mini 4 when staying in Mexico

A page on how to power your iPad Mini 4 from a Mexican power outlet with the Lightning Apple connector and a Type A power charger and powering the iPad Mini 4 using a 3 pinned Type B USB charger.

Mexican power outlet

Differing region codes and plugs can often be confusing when planning to travel to a different country if you've never visited before. These instructions were written to assist visitors wanting to charge their iPad Mini 4 abroad.If you're travelling to Mexico these instructions show powering your iPad Mini 4 using their B or A type 127 volt 60Hz power outlets, Type B power outlets are used by most Mexicans. Type A electrical sockets aren't as commonplace but still used by some hotels in Mexico. Power sources change from country to country therefore please read the Wiki Connections world power supplies page for a full list showing regions and countries. If your iPad Mini 4 charges slowly or does not power up when travelling to Mexico from another country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originated from a country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts may take longer to charge or won't power up, so check that the iPad Mini 4 is dual voltage (you'll find these are normally marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 9 or greater on the iPad Mini 4.

Charging the iPad Mini 4 in Mexico

Can the iPad Mini 4 be used in Mexico?

You can connect the iPad Mini 4 to a Mexican power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Mini 4 in Mexico?

When you are travelling with more than just your iPad Mini 4 or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for Mexico to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different standards of power outlets in Mexico (types B and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type A.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by switching the included plugs. If your iPad Mini 4 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these power chargers plus support for certain power demanding devices. Having a four port charger means you can charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy individual travel adapters on your trip to Mexico or occupying additional power outlets. By only needing to pack a single international USB travel charger will also keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage whilst travelling and suitable for recharging your iPad Mini 4 at the airport or on the plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones, tablets and e-readers with only a single wall outlet.

We suggest buying an adaptable power charger similar to this at an electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Mexico

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of counties with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America going to Mexico using 3 pinned type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs. This offers almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more generous 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Mexico. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Mini 4 in Mexico?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a Mexican power outlet

A page on how to power your iPad Mini 4 from a Mexican power outlet with the Lightning Apple connector and a Type A power charger.

  1. If you want to power your iPad Mini 4 using a Mexican power outlet you will need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPad Mini 4).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Mexican power outlet. The plug outlet, technically known as the Type A power outlet [3], is recognised by the two thin adjacent slots. Type A electrical sockets in Mexico might not be as common but might still found in some hotels.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which takes roughly 1 - 4.5 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a Mexican power outlet

Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Mexican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

A page on how to power your iPad Mini 4 from a Mexican power outlet with the Lightning Apple connector and a Type B power charger.

  1. If you want to power your iPad Mini 4 from the Mexican power outlet you will need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPad Mini 4.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter in the Mexican power outlet. The plug outlet, technically known as the Type B power outlet [6], is recognised by the two thin slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral blades with a single semicircle shaped hole below for the ground pin. The most commonly used sockets in Mexico are Type B electrical sockets.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which should take roughly one to five and a half hours to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Mexican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Visitmexico - Visit Mexico Web Site
  2. Apple - iPad Mini 4 user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  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 B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  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..