Charging the iPad Mini 2 when visiting The United Kingdom

How to connect a UK power outlet to the iPad Mini 2

UK power outlet

If planning a trip to The United Kingdom it is useful to know in advance if you'll be able to use your gadgets that you'll be bringing along. However, by not knowing which power socket is being used you are more likely to bring the wrong power adaptor, meaning having to buy or borrow a potentially overpriced adaptor when you're there which could be incompatible. Varying complicated region codes and plugs can all be confusing when planning on visiting a new country to the first time traveller. This isn't as complex as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of standards used in the world this article tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to power the iPad Mini 2 . When you're travelling to The United Kingdom this page has useful instructions showing how to supply power to your iPad Mini 2 by using the 230 volt 50Hz G Type UK wall outlet, the British will use BS 1363 13 amp plugs for power outlets. When travelling anywhere you'll discover most power supplies are different regionally so please read our Wikiconnections world power sockets guide for a full list of regions and countries. When you are visiting The United Kingdom from another region please make sure that your iPad Mini 2 can accept a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) ensure that the device is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to stop the device from over-heating during charging. If you plan on travelling to places like London or Edinburgh we also recommend referring to the The United Kingdom Wikipedia web page [1] for further information on the location. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini 2.

Charging the iPad Mini 2 in The United Kingdom

Can you use the iPad Mini 2 in The United Kingdom?

Yes, you can connect the iPad Mini 2 to a UK power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini 2 in The United Kingdom?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPad Mini 2 then the best travel adapter for The United Kingdom to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the included heads over. If your iPad Mini 2 can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these types of power adapters, and support for more power hungry devices. Having a 4 port adapter will allow you to charge multiple devices at once without needing to bring multiple power chargers. Because you are only packing a single travel charger will also keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when you return home as well as abroad so when you're not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers with only a single power outlet.

If you travel to The United Kingdom we recommend buying this type of flexible power adapter at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose power charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for The United Kingdom

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to charge devices via USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unstable power grids. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from North America going to The United Kingdom using type B American 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 originating from North America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just 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 ideal for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting The United Kingdom. [6] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini 2 in The United Kingdom?

Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a UK power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

A guide showing how to power the iPad Mini 2 with a UK power outlet with a USB Lightning cable and a three pin Type G USB charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPad Mini 2 from the UK power outlet you will need a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually already included with your iPad Mini 2 by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type G USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can identify this plug outlet by three vertical rectangular slots with shutters in a triangle shape.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple power cable into the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Switch on the UK power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Mini 2 screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging which typically takes around 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a UK power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - The United Kingdom Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
  4. Type G USB power plug adapter - Suitable for use in England, Ireland, and Scotland, a grounded three pin Type G adapter turns UK electrical power outlets into USB ports for reliable 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. 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..