I am after a USB to USB C cable for use with an iPad Pro 2020 on an aeroplane!
Cables that I have looked at do not always seem to be rated for charging (perhaps I'm wrong)?
I wondered if anyone can recommend a suitable cable for use on flight, that will also allow my iPad to be charged, my flight seat has a USB port, the airline will be Singapore Air......
iPad Pro, iPadOS 14
Thanks for your reply, I did in fact ask Anker Support as they were the first company I thought of.
Here is their reply:
Thank you for reaching out to Anker customer support and let us know your concern.
From what we know, an iPad Pro 2020 should be charged with a USB C to USB C cable with a USB C port. If it is with a USB A to USB C cable, it will charge very slowly and there is much chance that it can not hold the battery life especially when in use.
In this case, do you still want to try a USB A to USB C cable? If so, you can take a look at the following one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3NB6FB
If you have any other concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always here to assist you.
Thanks for your reply, I did in fact ask Anker Support as they were the first company I thought of.
Here is their reply:
Thank you for reaching out to Anker customer support and let us know your concern.
From what we know, an iPad Pro 2020 should be charged with a USB C to USB C cable with a USB C port. If it is with a USB A to USB C cable, it will charge very slowly and there is much chance that it can not hold the battery life especially when in use.
In this case, do you still want to try a USB A to USB C cable? If so, you can take a look at the following one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3NB6FB
If you have any other concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always here to assist you.
The reply you received from Anker contains both half-truth and totally inaccurate/misleading information.
Using a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-PD (Power Delivery) Power Adapter can achieve the fastest possible charging rate supported by your iPad Pro - this being 18W (i.e, 1.5A @12V). USB-PD compliant devices can charge a higher voltages than the standard USB 5V, achieving faster charging.
When using a USB Type-A to USB-C cable and a standard USB Type-A Power Adapter, the maximum charge rate is 12W (2.4A @5V). The majority (if not all) Aircraft USB charging systems using the standard/universal 5V. It will obviously take linger to charge at 12W than at 18W charge rates, however, the charging rate will always be limited by the maximum power that the source can provide.
Using a different cable will have no impact on your iPad’s ability to retain charge.
Please be assured that the suggested cable is completely suitable - and is designed for the task. As with all cables, some are higher quality than others. Other manufacturers are available elsewhere.
Mophie and Anker are both good cable manufacturers. I suggested the Mophie options as these are marketed by Apple both online and instore.
On the basis of the bad information that you received from Anker, I’d be inclined to vote with my wallet.
USB Type-A to USB-C charging and data cable:
mophie USB-A Cable with USB-C Connector (1 m)
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/HN892ZM/A
mophie USB-A Cable with USB-C Connector (2 m)
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/HN8A2ZM/A
Thanks for the product info. You may find the reply I received from Anker of interest.
I will touch base with Apple support to confirm that the Mophie cable is capable of supplying the power my iPad Pro requires.
Thanks for your reply. I have no wish to dispute the veracity of Anker's reply.
I have asked 'ZAGG' via email to confirm that the Mophie products they supply to Apple are suitable for my requirements.
I have no doubt the answer will be positive.
Thank you everyone for replying.
I will await a response from ‘Zagg’ regarding the Mophie cable sold by Apple.
In answer to the wildcard suggestions re a power bank, I had considered one, but at 70 years of age I do not feel it’s a worthwhile purchase for me.
You are most welcome, Peter.
As for the possible purchase / use of a Power Bank, please forgive me, but I don't understand what your age has to do with it. Even though I am older than you, I love traveling with my wife (although in this pandemic time we can't) and I find an extra battery a very useful item in many circumstances and for many electronic devices.
Of course I still respect your decision.
Take care.
Giulio
To my knowledge, PD Power Banks below 100Wh should be allowed without any approval in the aircraft cabin.
Giulio
👍
Lotus Pilot is correct.
The type of cable has no bearing on charging speed.
The fact that you plugging into a USB-A source utomatically means the charging speed/power to your iPad Pro is going to be slower AND if the USB-A power plugs on the aircraft in question are lower wattage output, like Lotus Pilot suggested, instead, then your iPad Pro is going to charge slower on the plane.
To fuel the controversy a bit (my intention is to do it in a constructive sense), have you ever thought about buying a PD power bank for your iPad Pro 2020?
Sure it costs more than a cable or adapter, but maybe your problem goes away forever.
Regards
Giulio
That's true.
A portable PD power/battery pack would solve this issue.
The problem is would something like this get through TSA and would it be allowed in a plane cabin?
It is a a large dedicated rechargeable battery pack.
A fairly large mobile battery pack.
Would something like this be allowed on a plane and in a pressurised plane cabin?
It has been a quite a long time since I flew on a plane and I have never flown on a plane with any of the mobile technologies that have been available last time I did, which was about 9-years, ago.
I ordered the Mophie USB A to USB C cable direct from ZAGG and was kindly presented with a 35% discount.
Age, well without getting too personal, it is more to do with my wife's medical condition which limits our travelling to a large extent. So we do not wander far these days, we have an opportunity to stay with family in NZ and I felt that the cable option was the simplest solution.
May your God go with you and thank you.
I have every confidence that the cable will serve you well. A PowerBank is nonetheless useful - as it provides useful autonomy in situations where AC Power (or other USB outlet) is not available. Many a time I have found myself with an unexpected delay of many hours, in an airport lounge, where access to power has been impossible.
The PowerBank allows the iPad to be used without fear of exhausting the battery - this being important as airport security screening requires that the device can be turned-on, if required, during carry-on baggage screening.
For info, I routinely carry a Mophie (Zagg) PowerStation USB-C 3XL when travelling or away from the office.
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/HM8X2ZM/B
Anker makes very good cables and also have USB-C to USB-A cables, as well.
Check them out on Amazon.
USB to USB C cable
