Charging the iPad Mini 4 in Spain

Instructions showing you how to recharge your iPad Mini 4 from a Spanish power outlet by using a Lightning Apple cable with a double pin Europlug Type C power charger and how to charge the iPad Mini 4 using a Type F USB adapter.

Spanish power outlet

Complicated combinations of frequencies and standards can all be confusing when planning to visit another country to the first time traveller. These guidelines were specifically written to stop people having to worry if they'll be able to power their iPad Mini 4 when they're abroad.The following step-by-step instructions shows what you'll need to power the iPad Mini 4 when you're visiting Spain using their standard Type F or C 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, most Spaniards will normally use Type F plug outlets. Most power sockets change depending on which area you are travelling to therefore we recommend reading the Europe page for a full list of countries. If you are visiting Spain from a different region please make sure your iPad Mini 4 can accept a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts make sure your device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from over-heating when charging it. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 9 or greater on the iPad Mini 4.

Charging the iPad Mini 4 in Spain

Can you use the iPad Mini 4 in Spain?

Yes, you can connect the iPad Mini 4 to a Spanish power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Mini 4 in Spain?

If travelling with more than just your iPad Mini 4 the best travel power adapter for Spain is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of wall outlets that Spaniards use (F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by switching the included heads over. If your iPad Mini 4 can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these travel adapters and additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets.

This will allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring individual power chargers. By only packing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and smartphones using just a single wall outlet.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible power adapter at an electronics retailer, the power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Spain

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 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 adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Spain 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 best selling portable option for travellers originating from America visiting Spain.
  • 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 North America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a flexible 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Spain. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Mini 4 in Spain?

Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type C Europlug USB charger to recharge the iPad Mini 4 with a Spanish power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad Mini 4 from a Spanish power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple typically supply this USB cable when you purchase your iPad Mini 4).
  2. Plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power supply. The power supply (known as the Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug) is recognised by two adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 4 is charging, typically taking roughly one-five and a half hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector with a Schuko Type F USB charger to power the iPad Mini 4 with a Spanish power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini 4 from the Spanish power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple should typically include this cable when you buy the iPad Mini 4.
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Spanish power outlet. This circular plug supply, also known as the Schuko outlet, can be identified by two 4.8mm holes 19 mm next to each other for live and neutral pins, plus thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the Lightning charging cord into the bottom of the USB mains charger 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 Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Mini 4 screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging which should take around 1 - 4.5 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about Spain
  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. 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..