Charging the iPad Mini 4 when planning a trip to South Africa

Instructions on how to power the iPad Mini 4 from a South African power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Type C Europlug power adapter, how to power the iPad Mini 4 using a 2 pin Schuko Type F power adapter and charging the iPad Mini 4 using a three pinned Type M power adapter

South African power outlet

Differing voltages and plug types can often be daunting when planning to stay in a foreign country, especially if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of standards being used in the world this article shows exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to charge the iPad Mini 4 . If travelling to South Africa this page has useful instructions showing charging the iPad Mini 4 by using their standard Type M, C, F or N 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, please note Type M power outlets will be used by a majority of South Africans. If you are visiting South Africa from another country ensure that your iPad Mini 4 can be charged using a 240v supply. If your iPad Mini 4 was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check the device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to avoid the device from over-heating when powering up. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 9 or greater on the iPad Mini 4.

Charging the iPad Mini 4 in South Africa

Can you use the iPad Mini 4 in South Africa?

You can use the iPad Mini 4 in South Africa by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini 4 in South Africa?

If you are travelling to more than one country or bringing more than your iPad Mini 4 then the best travel charger for South Africa to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four different types of power outlets that South Africans use (M, C, F and N) and using a power adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your iPad Mini 4 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times by using one of these USB power adapters along with compatibility with certain power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack multiple power adapters. By only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage and convenient for charging your iPad Mini 4 at the airport or on your flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when you return home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers without using up an additional wall outlet.

If you travel to different places we suggest searching for a versatile power adapter like this at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

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 strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for visitors of counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters come 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 power adapter for travellers originating from America going to South Africa 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 1 less AC outlet for 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 South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini 4 in South Africa?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a South African power outlet

Instructions on how to power the iPad Mini 4 from a South African power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Type C Europlug power adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Mini 4 using the South African power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple usually include this USB cable with the iPad Mini 4).
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. The wall outlet, also known as the Europlug or Type C power outlet [3], can be recognised by 2 circular holes next to each other where the two plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Connect one 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 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad Mini 4 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which takes roughly 1 - 4.5 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a South African power outlet

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a South African power outlet

Using a Lightning connector with a Schuko Type F USB charger to charge your iPad Mini 4 with a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad Mini 4 from a South African power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with your iPad Mini 4.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can recognise this plug supply by the two 4.8mm round holes 19 mm next to each other for live and neutral pins and a pair of thin grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB charging cord into 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 South African 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 Mini 4 is powering up taking roughly 60 to 300 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a South African power outlet

Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

A guide showing how to power the iPad Mini 4 from a South African power outlet with the Apple Lightning connector with a Type M USB charger.

  1. To charge the iPad Mini 4 from a South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - usually supplied with your iPad Mini 4.
  2. Start by plugging the Type M USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The power outlet, technically called the Type M power outlet [8], looks like 3 large holes forming a triangle shape for live, neutral and earth.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging, typically taking between 60 to 300 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

Instructions on how to power the iPad Mini 4 from a South African power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Type N USB charger.

  1. To power your iPad Mini 4 using the South African power outlet you will need to use a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually supplied with your iPad Mini 4.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type N USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the hexagon shaped wall outlet by the three round holes in a flattened triangle pattern for live, neutral and ground pins.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the South African 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 charging which should take roughly 60 to 300 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South Africa Wiki page
  2. Apple - iPad Mini 4 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. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 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..