Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a power outlet in China

A page showing how to charge your iPad Mini 4 from a Chinese power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning connector with a double pinned Type C USB charger, charging the iPad Mini 4 using a double pinned Type A power adapter and charging the iPad Mini 4 using a Type I USB charger

Chinese power outlet

Different region codes and voltages can all lead to confusion when planning to stay in another country for the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of plug sockets used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to charge your iPad Mini 4 . These instructions have been specifically written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPad Mini 4 when you are abroad.When you're visiting China this page has instructions showing charging the iPad Mini 4 using the types I, A or C 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets, Type I plug outlets will be used by a majority of Chinese. If you are visiting China from another region please double check the iPad Mini 4 can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your iPad Mini 4 is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to prevent the device from overheating whilst powering it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 9 or greater on the iPad Mini 4.

Charging the iPad Mini 4 in China

Can you use the iPad Mini 4 in China?

You can use the iPad Mini 4 in China.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in China?

When travelling to more than one country or bringing more than your iPad Mini 4 then the best travel charger for China is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Chinese use three different types of power outlets (types I, A and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the included heads. If your iPad Mini 4 can support Fast Charge (note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster charging times with one of these types of travel chargers, and compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

This means you can recharge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy seperate travel chargers on your Chinese trip or using up additional power sockets. Only bringing a single international travel charger will also keep the size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage whilst travelling. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones, tablets and speakers without using up an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to China we suggest searching for this type of flexible power adapter online; the travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for China

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 4, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both China and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 power adapter for travellers originating from North America going to China using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 China. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in China?

Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Instructions on how to power the iPad Mini 4 from a Chinese power outlet with a Lightning connector and a 2 pin Type A power adapter.

  1. To power your iPad Mini 4 using the Chinese power outlet you will need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the cable is normally already included with the device by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. The wall outlet, sometimes known as a Type A power outlet [3], can be recognised by 2 slots adjacent to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple power cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging, typically taking between one-five and a half hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

A page showing how to charge your iPad Mini 4 from a Chinese power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning connector with a double pinned Type C USB charger.

  1. To power your iPad Mini 4 using the Chinese power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the cable is normally already included with the device by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by the two holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple power cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging, typically taking between one-five and a half hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

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

Using a USB Lightning Apple cable and a 3 pin Type I USB charger to charge your iPad Mini 4 with a Chinese power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Mini 4 from a Chinese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type I USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple usually include this cable with the iPad Mini 4).
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type I USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by the three slots forming an upside-down triangular shape with a single vertical pin at the base and the top two slots sloping upwards for the live, neutral and earth. Please note that the live and neutral blades are configured reversed compared to Argentinian power outlets, please check that your Type I travel adaptor is compatible in China.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB 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. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 4 is powering up taking roughly 60 to 300 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Chinese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about China
  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 C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  9. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  10. 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..