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Charge my new iPad Air 5 with old cords?

Is there an adapter available so that I can use my old iPad cords to charge?

Posted on Mar 22, 2022 8:08 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 22, 2022 8:17 AM

You have presumably purchased a newer model iPad that has a USB-C port - with which you have received a USB-C Power Adapter and a USB-C to USB-C charging cable.


If you need to connect your iPad to an older style Power Adapter or computer, that has a USB Type-A port, you will simply require a certified USB3 Type-A to USB-C charging/data cable. These are readily available from good computer stores - and from Apple.


Here is an example from mophie, marketed by Apple:


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

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


Be aware that plug-adapters commonly marketed to connect a USB-C plug to a older style USB port should be avoided. The USB-C specification does not allow the use of “plug adapters”; with USB-C, you should only use an appropriate certified cable, as doing so will protect your relatively expensive USB-C device (in this case, your iPad) from potentially damaging wiring combinations. Certified USB-C cables incorporate protective circuitry that is otherwise absent.


While third-party USB Type-A to USB-C adapters can be found, you use them at your own risk. You need to decide whether the risk of serious damage occurring to your iPad is worthwhile. A certified USB-C cable, with the correct connectors (and built-in protective circuitry) is a cheap insurance policy.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 22, 2022 8:17 AM in response to Timmyray

You have presumably purchased a newer model iPad that has a USB-C port - with which you have received a USB-C Power Adapter and a USB-C to USB-C charging cable.


If you need to connect your iPad to an older style Power Adapter or computer, that has a USB Type-A port, you will simply require a certified USB3 Type-A to USB-C charging/data cable. These are readily available from good computer stores - and from Apple.


Here is an example from mophie, marketed by Apple:


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

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


Be aware that plug-adapters commonly marketed to connect a USB-C plug to a older style USB port should be avoided. The USB-C specification does not allow the use of “plug adapters”; with USB-C, you should only use an appropriate certified cable, as doing so will protect your relatively expensive USB-C device (in this case, your iPad) from potentially damaging wiring combinations. Certified USB-C cables incorporate protective circuitry that is otherwise absent.


While third-party USB Type-A to USB-C adapters can be found, you use them at your own risk. You need to decide whether the risk of serious damage occurring to your iPad is worthwhile. A certified USB-C cable, with the correct connectors (and built-in protective circuitry) is a cheap insurance policy.

Charge my new iPad Air 5 with old cords?

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