Charging the iPad Mini from a power outlet in Mexico

Instructions showing how to power the iPad Mini with a Mexican power outlet using a Lightning Apple cable and a double pinned Type A power adapter and how to charge the iPad Mini using a Type B USB adapter.

Mexican power outlet

Various combinations of voltages and plug types can often lead to confusion when planning to stay in another country especially to the first time traveller. This guide has been specifically written to prepare people wanting to power their iPad Mini when they're staying in Mexico.This page has instructions telling you what you'll need to power the iPad Mini when you're travelling to Mexico using their standard Type B or A 127 volt 60Hz wall outlets, please be aware Type B plug outlets are typically used by a majority of Mexicans. Type A electrical sockets aren't as commonplace but still used by some hotels in Mexico. Power supplies change regionally therefore we recommend reading the North America and power supplies page for a full list of regions and countries. If your iPad Mini slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when visiting Mexico from another country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Electrical devices which originated from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't power up, check that the device is dual voltage (normally indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Mexico

Can you use the iPad Mini in Mexico?

You can connect the iPad Mini to a Mexican power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

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

If travelling with more than just your iPad Mini and visiting more than one country then the best travel adapter for Mexico is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Mexicans use two different standards of plug sockets (types B and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type A. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by changing the plugs over. If your iPad Mini can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these types of power adapters plus additional compatibility with certain power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters this will allow you to recharge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring individual power adapters on your trip. Because you are only bringing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand baggage while travelling. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of chargers can be used back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and phones without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest searching for a versatile power charger of this nature online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Mexico

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, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Mexico using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with one 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Mexico. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Mini in Mexico?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Mexican power outlet

Using a USB Lightning connector and a Type A USB adapter to power your iPad Mini with a Mexican power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the iPad Mini from the Mexican power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple will usually include the cable when you buy the iPad Mini).
  2. Begin by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. This ungrounded wall outlet, technically called the Type A power outlet [3], can be identified by the two slots next to each other. Type A electrical outlets in Mexico aren't as common but could still used in some hotels.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple Lightning charging cord into the USB mains adapter 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. Switch on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Mexican power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Mexican power outlet

Using an Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type B USB adapter to power your iPad Mini with a Mexican power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini from the Mexican power outlet you will need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should typically include this cable when you buy your iPad Mini).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Mexican power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two thin slots parallel to each other for live and neutral blades with a hole below for the grounded pin. The most commonly used outlets in Mexico are Type B electrical outlets.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple Lightning charging cord into the USB mains adapter 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. Switch on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Mexican power outlet

See also

  1. Visitmexico - Visit Mexico Web Site
  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. 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..