How to charge the iPad Mini when planning a trip to American Samoa

A step by step guide showing you how to recharge your iPad Mini with an American Samoan power outlet by using a Lightning Apple cable with a Type A USB adapter, how to recharge the iPad Mini using a Type B power charger and powering the iPad Mini using a double pin Type F Schuko power plug

American Samoan power outlet

Varying complicated combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. These instructions were specifically written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPad Mini abroad.When visiting American Samoa this page has useful instructions showing you how to charge your iPad Mini by using the standard I, A, B or F type 120 volt 60Hz wall outlets, most American Samoans will normally use Type I wall outlets. If the iPad Mini charges slowly or does not power up when travelling to American Samoa from a different country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically electrical devices which originated from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) can take longer to charge or won't power up, so check your iPad Mini is a dual voltage device (you'll find these are normally indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. If you plan on visiting places like Tafuna or Nu'uuli we also recommend referring to the American Samoa country Wiki page [1] for further information on the location. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in American Samoa

Can the iPad Mini be used in American Samoa?

Yes, you can use the iPad Mini in American Samoa by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini in American Samoa?

When travelling to more than one country then the best international travel charger for American Samoa is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four different standards of wall outlets that American Samoans use (I, A, B and F) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the supplied plugs. If your model of iPad Mini supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these travel adapters plus additional compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel chargers this means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate power adapters on your American Samoan trip. By only bringing a single international USB travel charger will keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage whilst travelling as well as being on hand for recharging your iPad Mini at the airport or on a flight. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used back at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets using just a single plug socket.

We suggest searching for a multipurpose travel adapter similar to this online. The travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for American Samoa

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices using USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be crucial for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both American Samoa 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 best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America visiting American Samoa.
  • 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 America using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 wide range of travellers from around the world visiting American Samoa. [12] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini in American Samoa?

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

Instructions showing how to power the iPad Mini with an American Samoan power outlet with a USB Lightning cable with a double pin Type A USB charger.

  1. To charge the iPad Mini using an American Samoan power outlet you will need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually already included with your iPad Mini by Apple).
  2. Start by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the American Samoan power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the 2 thin slots adjacent to each other.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the American Samoan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad Mini will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from an American Samoan power outlet

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

Using a USB Lightning cable and a three pinned Type B power charger to recharge the iPad Mini with an American Samoan power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad Mini from an American Samoan power outlet you will need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Start by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the wall outlet. The power supply, sometimes known as the Type B power outlet [6], is identified by two slots parallel to each other for live and neutral blades with a semicircle shaped hole below for the long earth pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple power cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the American Samoan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Mini screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging which should take around 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPad Mini from an American Samoan power outlet

Powering the iPad Mini with an American Samoan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using a Lightning cable and a double pinned Schuko Type F power charger to charge the iPad Mini from an American Samoan power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini using the American Samoan power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], typically already supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can identify this plug outlet by two 4.8mm circular holes 19 mm next to each other, plus thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the charging cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the American Samoan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is recharging, typically taking around 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with an American Samoan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini with an American Samoan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

A guide showing how to power the iPad Mini with an American Samoan power outlet with a USB Lightning cable and a three pin Type I USB charger.

  1. To supply power to your iPad Mini from an American Samoan power outlet you will need to buy a Type I USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple normally supply this USB cable when you purchase the iPad Mini.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type I USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. The plug supply, sometimes called the Type I power outlet [10], can be recognised by three slots for the live, neutral and ground blades.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the American Samoan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad Mini will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging and takes roughly one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with an American Samoan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - American Samoa country Wiki page
  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. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. 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..
  10. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  11. 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.
  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..