How to charge your iPad Mini from a power outlet in The Philippines

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPad Mini from a Filipino power outlet using the Lightning Apple connector with a 3 pinned Type B power charger, charging the iPad Mini using a Type A power charger and charging the iPad Mini using a Type C power charger

Filipino power outlet

Differing combinations of frequencies and region codes can all be daunting when planning to visit a different country especially for the first time traveller. The following step-by-step instructions will show you what you'll need to supply power to the iPad Mini when travelling to The Philippines by using the C, A or B type 220 volt 60Hz plug outlets, Type C plug outlets will be typically used by a majority of Filipinas. If travelling to The Philippines from another country please double check your iPad Mini can be used with a 240 volt supply. If the iPad Mini originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120v check your device is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to stop the device from overheating when powering up. If you are planning on visiting a destination like Quezon City please refer to the The Philippines Wikipedia web page [1] for more information. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in The Philippines

Can you use the iPad Mini in The Philippines?

Yes, you can use the iPad Mini in The Philippines by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the iPad Mini in The Philippines?

When you are travelling to more than one country or bringing along more than just your iPad Mini the best travel adapter for The Philippines to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Filipinas use three different types of plug sockets (types C, A and B) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 - 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the heads over. If your model of iPad Mini supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times with one of these USB travel adapters, plus support for certain power hungry devices like tablets.

This means you can charge more than one device at the same time without needing to bring individual power chargers for your trip to The Philippines. Only needing to pack a single lightweight travel charger will help keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to fold up in hand baggage. 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 overnight charging multiple tablets and phones without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of versatile travel adapter online. The power adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for The Philippines

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 wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary when visiting counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, 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 best selling portable option for travellers originating from North America going to The Philippines.
  • 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 originating from the US using type B plugs and is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with one 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 wide range of travellers from around the world visiting The Philippines. [10] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPad Mini in The Philippines?

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

Instructions on how to recharge your iPad Mini from a Filipino power outlet using the Lightning Apple cable with a Type A power charger.

  1. In order to charge your iPad Mini using a Filipino power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should typically include the USB cable when you first purchase the iPad Mini).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the Filipino power outlet. This unearthed wall supply (sometimes called a Type A power outlet [3]) can be recognised by the two thin slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral blades. Note power cables with type A sockets which are rated at less that 240 V shouldn't be used in The Philippines so please check first.
  3. Then connect one end of the power cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Filipino 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 charging taking between 1-4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Filipino power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini with a Filipino power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPad Mini from a Filipino power outlet using the Lightning Apple connector with a 3 pinned Type B power charger.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini using a Filipino power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - the cable is usually included with your device by Apple.
  2. Begin by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Filipino power outlet. This wall supply (technically called a Type B power outlet [6]) can be recognised by the two thin slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral blades with a single hole below for the earthed pin. Please note that power cables with type B outlets which are rated at less that 240 V should not be used in The Philippines so please check first.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB Apple Lightning power cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Filipino power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad Mini will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which typically takes between 1-4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Filipino power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

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

Using an Apple Lightning cable and a Europlug Type C USB adapter to recharge your iPad Mini from a Filipino power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your iPad Mini using a Filipino power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should typically include the USB cable when you first purchase the iPad Mini).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Filipino power outlet. This unearthed wall supply (called a Europlug or Type C power outlet [8]) is recognised by the two round holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the charging cable into the bottom of the USB power 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. Turn on the Filipino 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 iPad is charging and takes between 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Filipino power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - The Philippines Wikipedia web 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 C power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..