Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a power outlet in Italy

A page showing how to charge your iPad Mini 4 from an Italian power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning connector with a three pin Type L power adapter, recharging the iPad Mini 4 using a Type C Europlug power charger and powering the iPad Mini 4 using a Type F Schuko power charger

Italian power outlet

Complicated combinations of region codes and plugs can often be daunting when planning to travel to a new country especially for the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of plug sockets used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to charge your iPad Mini 4 . This page was written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPad Mini 4 when staying abroad.When you are visiting Italy this page has instructions showing you charging the iPad Mini 4 using the types L, C or F 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, a majority of Italians will normally use Type L plugs in their wall outlets. If you are visiting Italy from another region please double check the iPad Mini 4 can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to avoid the device from over-heating when powering up. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 9 or greater on the iPad Mini 4.

Charging the iPad Mini 4 in Italy

Can you use the iPad Mini 4 in Italy?

You can use the iPad Mini 4 in Italy.

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

When you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPad Mini 4 the best international travel adapter for Italy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three standards of wall outlets that Italians use (L, C and F) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your iPad Mini 4 can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from faster charging times with one of these types of travel chargers, and compatibility with certain power hungry devices. This will also allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to bring individual power adapters. Only needing a single USB travel charger will keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage and on hand for recharging your iPad Mini 4 at the airport or on your flight. Due to their versatility these types of chargers can be used when you return home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones, tablets and speakers using only a single power outlet.

For those travelling to Italy we recommend buying this type of versatile power adapter online. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Italy

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for visitors of counties with unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Italy and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America going to Italy using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and offers the same set of features as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet for 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in Italy?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from an Italian power outlet

Using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a Type C Europlug power adapter to recharge your iPad Mini 4 with an Italian power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPad Mini 4 from an Italian power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Firstly you'll need to plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Italian power outlet. The power supply (known as a Europlug) can be recognised by 2 round holes adjacent to each other where the live and neutral pins go.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple power cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter 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 Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which should take roughly 1-4.5 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from an Italian power outlet

Powering the iPad Mini 4 with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a Type F Schuko power charger to charge your iPad Mini 4 with an Italian power outlet.

  1. To charge your iPad Mini 4 using the Italian power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The circular power supply (sometimes called a Type F power outlet [6] or Schuko plug) can be recognised by two circular holes 19 mm next to each other and a pair of thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter 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 Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPad Mini 4 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging which typically takes around one to five and a half hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 4 with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from an Italian power outlet

A page showing how to charge your iPad Mini 4 from an Italian power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning connector with a three pin Type L power adapter.

  1. If you want to power the iPad Mini 4 from an Italian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually included with the device by Apple).
  2. Insert the Type L USB power plug adapter into the Italian power outlet. You can identify the squashed hexagon shaped plug supply by the 3 large adjecent holes in a line. Note that there are two types of Type L power supply rated at 10 amps and 16 amps. The 10 amp wall outlet has 4mm thick round pins which are spaced 5.5mm apart whilst the 16 amp version has larger 5mm round pins spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the mains power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 4 is powering up which typically takes roughly 60 to 300 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from an Italian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Italian country page on Wikipedia
  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. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  9. Type L USB power plug adapter - Earthed Type L USB chargers comprise of three 4mm pins placed in parallel 5.5mm apart used in Italy.
  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..