Charging the iPad Mini 2 when planning a trip to America

Instructions on how to recharge the iPad Mini 2 from an American power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type A USB charger and charging the iPad Mini 2 using a Type B USB charger.

American power outlet

If packing for a holiday to America it can be helpful to know in advance if you'll be able to charge all your devices when you're there. Without knowing which power socket to expect you are likely to bring the wrong adaptor, therefore needing to buy or borrow a suitable power adaptor when you're there which might be incompatible and cause problems with your iPad Mini 2. Various combinations of voltages and sockets can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country especially if you've never been there before. This guide has been specifically written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPad Mini 2 when staying abroad.This page contains a guide telling you exactly what you'll need to power your iPad Mini 2 when staying in America using the Type B or A American 120 volt 60Hz power outlets, a majority of Americans will use the Type B plug outlets. If your iPad Mini 2 doesn't power up or recharges slowly when visiting America from another region please check that it is compatible with a 120 volt power supply. Typically electrical devices which come from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check the device is dual voltage (usually indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini 2.

Charging the iPad Mini 2 in America

Can you use the iPad Mini 2 in America?

You can use the iPad Mini 2 in America by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad Mini 2 in America?

When you are travelling with more than your iPad Mini 2 or visiting more than one country the best travel charger for America to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of wall outlets that Americans use (B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A.

Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by switching the included plugs over. If your type of iPad Mini 2 is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for certain power hungry devices.

Unlike other adapters having a four port adapter will allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers on your American trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only packing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage while travelling. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used when you return home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and smartphones with just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to different destinations we suggest buying an adaptable travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer - the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for America

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 Mini 2, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These power adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international 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 America using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also 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 gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers 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 a majority of travellers from around the world visiting America. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad Mini 2 in America?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad Mini 2 from an American power outlet

A guide showing how to power the iPad Mini 2 from an American power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Type A USB charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPad Mini 2 from an American power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this USB cable is typically already supplied with your iPad Mini 2).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the American power outlet. The power supply, technically called the Type A power outlet [3], can be recognised by 2 thin slots next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB charger 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 American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad Mini 2 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad Mini 2 from an American power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from an American power outlet

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad Mini 2 from an American power outlet with a Lightning connector with a Type B USB adapter.

  1. In order to power your iPad Mini 2 from an American power outlet you'll need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple will normally supply the cable with the iPad Mini 2).
  2. Insert the Type B USB power plug adapter into the American power outlet. You can identify the power outlet by the two slots parallel to each other for live and neutral blades with a single hole below for the earth pin.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Apple Lightning power cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Turn on the American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad Mini 2 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging which should take roughly 1 - 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from an American power outlet

See also

  1. Visittheusa - Visit The USA
  2. Apple - official iPad 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..