How to charge your iPad Mini 2 from a power outlet in France

Using an Apple USB Lightning connector and a double pin Type C Europlug USB adapter to recharge your iPad Mini 2 from a French power outlet and how to charge the iPad Mini 2 using a Type E USB adapter.

French power outlet

Varying different combinations of voltages and sockets can all be daunting when planning to visit a different country especially for the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of common standards used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what you'll need in advance to power your iPad Mini 2 in France. This page has instructions showing you exactly how to charge your iPad Mini 2 when you're travelling to France using their E or C type French 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, a majority of French use Type E wall outlets. When you are visiting France from a different region please ensure that the iPad Mini 2 can accept a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) ensure the iPad Mini 2 is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to avoid the device from over-heating during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini 2.

Charging the iPad Mini 2 in France

Can you use the iPad Mini 2 in France?

Yes, you can use the iPad Mini 2 in France by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel charger for the iPad Mini 2 in France?

If travelling with more than just your iPad Mini 2 or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel charger for France is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. French use two different types of plug sockets (types E and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by changing the included plugs. If your iPad Mini 2 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB travel chargers plus support for more power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other chargers this means you can power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring multiple travel chargers or occupying additional power outlets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage whilst travelling and suitable for charging your iPad Mini 2 at an airport or on a flight. Because of their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets with only a single wall outlet.

If you travel frequently we suggest buying a versatile travel adapter like this at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for France

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, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unreliable or unstable power grids. These travel adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both France and over 150 countries around the world:

  • 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 power adapter for travellers originating from America visiting France using 3 pin type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half the 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 perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting France. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPad Mini 2 in France?

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

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a double pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter to power your iPad Mini 2 from a French power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPad Mini 2 from the French power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple normally include the cable when you first purchase your iPad Mini 2).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. This power outlet, sometimes known as the Europlug or Type C power outlet [3], is recognised by the two circular adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Switch on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging and takes between 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from a French power outlet

Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a French power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad Mini 2 with a French power outlet with an Apple USB Lightning connector and a Type E USB adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Mini 2 using a French power outlet you'll need to use a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple normally include the cable when you first purchase your iPad Mini 2.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type E USB power plug adapter in the French power outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by the two holes 19mm apart from each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins go along with one metal earth pin protruding from the top forming a triangle configuration.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Turn on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which should take between one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a French power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia web page about France
  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 E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  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..