Newsroom Update
Apple is introducing a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop, matching watch face, and dynamic iOS and iPadOS wallpapers as a way to champion global movements to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more >
Apple is introducing a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop, matching watch face, and dynamic iOS and iPadOS wallpapers as a way to champion global movements to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more >
Announcement
Introducing the iPad Pro with Apple M4 chip, the redesigned iPad Air in two sizes, and the all‑new Apple Pencil Pro. Watch the event >
Introducing the iPad Pro with Apple M4 chip, the redesigned iPad Air in two sizes, and the all‑new Apple Pencil Pro. Watch the event >
Why iPad Pro charging is so slow.
iPad Air, iOS 12
You do need to define slow.
it can take hours to fully charge an iPad’s battery
How long is it taking to charge?
You do need to define slow.
it can take hours to fully charge an iPad’s battery
How long is it taking to charge?
The key to fastest possible charging for your iPad is to use the correct Power Adapter (charger).
Assuming that you have an original first generation iPad Air, as suggested by the tags appended to your question, you will achieve the fastest possible charging when using a 12W Power Adapter. If you use a higher wattage USB Power Adapter, your iPad will still charge at its maximum design charge-rate (~12W); a lower wattage, such as 10W will be proportionately slower.
A 5W charger (as supplied with many iPhones and some earlier versions of iPad), if it charges at all, will only charge very slowly.
Connecting your iPad to a PC may not charge the iPad at all. Unless the USB port is designed for high power charging of external devices, computer USB ports are typically limited to 500mA (2.5W) or 1A (5W) at 5V.
Sone newer models of iPad and iPhone support USB Fast Charging - for which a USB-PD Power Adapter is required. iPad and iPhone that support USB-PD will charge at up to 18W - although higher wattage USB-PD Power Adapters (as used with many Mac computers) may be used; compatible iPad/iPhone will limit their power draw to 18W.
When comparing USB Fast Chargers, it is worth pointing out that their are two competing standards - these being USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) and QuickCharge (QC). Apple only supports USB-PD.
USB-PD and QC chargers both use higher voltages than the standard USB 5V supply. Both USB-PD and QC chargers will default to using standard 5V charging when used with devices that do not support the appropriate standard - although connection of devices that are not directly compatible is not necessarily advised.
It is not uncommon for owners of QC chargers to question why, when connected to their Apple devices, charging is slower than anticipated. The reason is simple - due to incompatibility, QC chargers cannot fast-charge Apple devices.
I hope this primer covers “most of the bases” in context of charging your iPad. If you have an issue that I’ve not covered, please speak-up and I try to help further.
I hope you find this information to be helpful in addressing any problems.
Why iPad Pro charging slow
