iPad Maximum Supported Charging Rate

Hi,


I want to know what's the maximum supported charging rate for iPads.


For: iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro


I found in the community discussion that it's 20W - Ipad charging - Apple Community

I found other untrustworthy sources that it's 30W:


https://www.guidingtech.com/best-ipad-chargers/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/ldylkc/max_charger_wattage_for_all_ipad_models/

https://www.coolblue.nl/en/advice/choosing-the-right-charger-for-your-apple-ipad.html


This is a bit confusing, I hope we can sort this out. There's also no informaiton in Apple's website. How can we know this for the future iPads that will come out?

iPad Pro, iPadOS 17

Posted on Nov 1, 2023 12:47 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 1, 2023 5:09 PM

You should note that while your iPad Pro can be charged with a 30W (or other) compatible Power Adapter, it will not charge appreciably faster than when using the USB-C 20W Power Adapter that was likely supplied with your iPad. When charged with a USB-PD Power Adapter, the maximum iPad charging rate is limited to ~20W. When using a standard USB Power Adapter, operating at 5V, the maximum charging rate is limited to 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V).


Where the higher-power Power Adapter does provide benefit is when being used with other USB devices via a USB-C hub. A higher-output Power Adapter provides a greater “power budget” - allowing other devices to receive power while maintaining the iPad’s maximum 20W charging rate. For example, a USB multiport hub may typically require 10W power; connected USB devices (external storage, keyboard, mouse etc) also draw additional power from the source. If the connected load exceeds the available supply, the iPad may not charge - or may charge at a substantially slower rate. In extremis, both the iPad and Power Adapter will share the connected load - and the iPad may actually discharge its battery to make-up the shortfall in available power from a connected Power Adapter.


You should note that while Apple devices generally support USB PD, they do not support other charging standards - such as QC (Quick Charge).


I hope this insight proves to be helpful in understanding some of the factors that will impact charging of your iPad.


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 1, 2023 5:09 PM in response to ernests_e

You should note that while your iPad Pro can be charged with a 30W (or other) compatible Power Adapter, it will not charge appreciably faster than when using the USB-C 20W Power Adapter that was likely supplied with your iPad. When charged with a USB-PD Power Adapter, the maximum iPad charging rate is limited to ~20W. When using a standard USB Power Adapter, operating at 5V, the maximum charging rate is limited to 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V).


Where the higher-power Power Adapter does provide benefit is when being used with other USB devices via a USB-C hub. A higher-output Power Adapter provides a greater “power budget” - allowing other devices to receive power while maintaining the iPad’s maximum 20W charging rate. For example, a USB multiport hub may typically require 10W power; connected USB devices (external storage, keyboard, mouse etc) also draw additional power from the source. If the connected load exceeds the available supply, the iPad may not charge - or may charge at a substantially slower rate. In extremis, both the iPad and Power Adapter will share the connected load - and the iPad may actually discharge its battery to make-up the shortfall in available power from a connected Power Adapter.


You should note that while Apple devices generally support USB PD, they do not support other charging standards - such as QC (Quick Charge).


I hope this insight proves to be helpful in understanding some of the factors that will impact charging of your iPad.


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iPad Maximum Supported Charging Rate

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