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Ipad Air 4 charging cable

Hi everyone!

Really newbie type question I'm afraid......The charging cable supplied with my new iPad Air 4 is too short. I have bought a longer cable but the "charger brick" end is a USB connetor so will not fit the supplied charger. My original iPad air (first generation) has a USB conection on its own "brick". Can I safely use this charger to charge the new Ipad ?


iPad Air, iPadOS 14

Posted on Jul 14, 2021 6:04 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 14, 2021 6:23 AM

Your older Apple 12W Power Adapter can be used with your iPad Air4 and your “new” cable - but consider the following…


Your iPad Air4 was supplied with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter and a 1m charging cable. Be aware that your USB-C Power Adapter supports USB PD (Power Delivery) Fast Charging - which dramatically reduces charging time.


Whilst you can use other Power Adapters that feature the older USB Type-A connector, the maximum charging rate will be limited to 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V).


The simplest way to continue to benefit from Fast Charging is to substitute your 1m USB-C cable - for a longer cable:


  • USB-C Charge Cable (2m)

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MLL82ZM/A



Alternatively, if you still intend to use Power Adapter with a USB Type-A connector (accepting the reduced charging rate) you will need a USB Type-A to USB-C cable (you may have already purchased something similar):


  • mophie USB-A Cable with USB-C Connector (2 m)

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/HN8A2ZM/A


  • mophie USB-A Cable with USB-C Connector (1 m)

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/HN892ZM/A


As you’ll have to purchase a cable anyway, why not just obtain the longer (and otherwise correct) USB-C to USB-C cable?


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 14, 2021 6:23 AM in response to Mushroomsouperman

Your older Apple 12W Power Adapter can be used with your iPad Air4 and your “new” cable - but consider the following…


Your iPad Air4 was supplied with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter and a 1m charging cable. Be aware that your USB-C Power Adapter supports USB PD (Power Delivery) Fast Charging - which dramatically reduces charging time.


Whilst you can use other Power Adapters that feature the older USB Type-A connector, the maximum charging rate will be limited to 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V).


The simplest way to continue to benefit from Fast Charging is to substitute your 1m USB-C cable - for a longer cable:


  • USB-C Charge Cable (2m)

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MLL82ZM/A



Alternatively, if you still intend to use Power Adapter with a USB Type-A connector (accepting the reduced charging rate) you will need a USB Type-A to USB-C cable (you may have already purchased something similar):


  • mophie USB-A Cable with USB-C Connector (2 m)

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/HN8A2ZM/A


  • mophie USB-A Cable with USB-C Connector (1 m)

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/HN892ZM/A


As you’ll have to purchase a cable anyway, why not just obtain the longer (and otherwise correct) USB-C to USB-C cable?


Ipad Air 4 charging cable

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