A very common question among Apple device users is whether you can use iPhone and iPad chargers interchangeably.
You can absolutely charge your iPad using an iPhone charger and vice versa. Apple designs its devices so that all devices with a lightning connection (iPhone, iPad, Airpods, iPod touch) can be charged using any charger that comes with an Apple device.
The only difference is that the chargers for the various different Apple devices do not all have the same wattage. An iPad charger has more wattage than an iPhone charger does. Therefore if you use an iPhone charger to charge your iPad, it will take longer to charge than with an iPad charger.
Keep reading to learn more about the safety and utility of using different chargers for your various devices.
Is charging an iPad with an iPhone charger bad?
Charging an iPad with an iPhone charger is not bad. It will definitely not damage the device. The charger that comes with your iPhone has a wattage of 5 watt, while the iPad charger has a wattage of 12 watt.
The iPad is a bigger device and therefore requires more electricity to be charged. Therefore when you use your “weaker” iPhone charger to charge your iPad, it will take noticeably longer to charge than with the regular iPad charger.
What charger comes with iPad ?
It depends on the model and the generation of the iPad:
These models come with a 20 watt charger:
- The most recent iPad (8th generation)
- The most recent iPad Air (4th generation)
These models come with an 18 watt charger:
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch (3rd & 4th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st & 2nd generation)
These models come with an 12 watt charger (and in some countries, a 10 watt charger):
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st & 2nd generation)
- iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
- iPad Pro (9.7-inch)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad (5 to 7th generation)
These models come with an 10 watt charger:
- iPad Air & iPad Air 2
- iPad mini (2nd to 4th generation)
- iPad 2
These might differ slightly in different countries due to local legal & safety regulations, but the above is a general guide.
How long does it take to charge an iPad with an iPhone charger?
Generally speaking, using the classic 5 watt iPhone USB charger to charge your iPad would take longer than 5 hours
How long it will take for your iPad to get fully charged using an iPhone charger depends largely on the models of both devices.
iPad chargers can range from 10 watt to 20 watt depending on the model. The vast majority of iPhone chargers are the 5 watt ones. However, the iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max both have a 18 watt charger.
Is it bad to charge iPhone with 12W?
In the short-term, it is not harmful to charge your iPhone with a 12 watt charger. Apple actively encourages its users to use the chargers for their various Apple devices interchangeably.
However, in the long-term you might want to be careful as using a “stronger” charger might stress the device over time. Your battery might therefore wear out faster and not work as well sooner than normal.
It is normal for battery performance to worsen over time, however by regularly using a higher voltage and amperage battery, you’ll likely speed up this process.
Using a 12W charger occasionally with your iPhone should not be a problem, but one thing to keep an eye out for is overheating. Heat has a detrimental effect on the lithium batteries used in iPhones.
Therefore, do not use it in high temperatures such as during the summer or during heatwaves.
Be sure to check whether the battery and the back of your iPhone aren’t too hot every once in a while if you need to do a fast charge during the warmer months.
Can I use a 30W charger for iPad?
You can use a 30W charger to charge an iPad. The iPad should regulate the amount of charging. However in the long-term, you are better off sticking with your iPad’s designated charger if your concern is long-term battery health.
Can I use an 18W charger for iPad?
Some of the more recent models of iPads already come with an 18 or 20 watt charger.
It should be completely fine to use the 18W charger even for older models that usually come with 10 or 12 Watt charger.
However, be careful and make sure that your iPad is not overheating when you are using the 18 watt charger. If it overheats regularly, it could have detrimental effects on the battery of your iPad.
Can I charge my iPad with a 20W charger?
You can charge your iPad with a 20W charger. The latest models – 8th generation iPad and 4th generation iPad Air both come with a 20W charger.
It is OK to use a 20W charger for older iPad models too as long as you regulate usage and ensure that your device is not overheating when you are charging with the 20W charger.
What is the difference between 5W and 12W Apple chargers?
The 5W charger comes with iPhones while the 12W charger comes with older generations of iPads. The 12W charger performs better and charges faster as it is made for devices that are bigger and use more power.
Can I use my old charger with iPhone 12?
You can definitely use an older charger with your iPhone 12. Apple stopped including the standard USB charging brick with the release of the iPhone 12. There is only a USB-C to lightning cable included now.
Using an older charger can therefore be useful and is completely safe.
How long does it take to charge iPhone 12 with an old charger?
Charging the iPhone 12 with the regular 5 watt charger will take about 2 – 2.5 hrs.
Why do iPads charge so slow?
If your iPad is charging too slowly, it might be due to one of these reasons:
- You have a recent model but are using an older charger to charge it. For example, if you have a model that normally comes with a 12, 18 or 20 watt charger but are charging it with a 5, 10 or 12 watt one, it might charge slower.
Check your model and your charger wattage to make sure this is not the case. - Your charging port is dirty and is causing the iPad to be charged slowly. Check the state of your charging port using a flashlight. If you see some dirt, use an anti-static brush to gently wipe it clean.
Can iPad be charged with wireless charger?
As of the latest model (iPad Pro 2021), no iPad model has wireless charging. The first iPad with wireless charging should be introduced in 2022.
Can you charge iPad with any USB-C?
You can charge your iPad with any USB-C, it is safe to use.
Why is iPad not charging when plugged into computer?
If your iPad is not charging when plugged into a computer, the issue is usually with the computer, not the iPad. Older Macbooks and laptops in general tend to have ports (USB 2.0 port etc.) that do not allow enough power for your iPad to be charged.
Try charging your iPad on a more recent laptop/Macbook and see if it works.
Can I use a non-Apple charger for my iPad?
Non-Apple chargers are generally safe to use, however you will want to check whether they have enough wattage to charge your iPad. A 5W charger would charge your iPad very slowly.
Is it OK to use Samsung charger for iPad?
It is definitely ok to use a Samsung charger for your iPad.
Is it bad to leave iPad charging overnight?
Leaving your iPad or any other Apple device to charge overnight is absolutely OK and does not damage the battery of the device at all.
Leaving your iPad or any other Apple device to charge overnight is absolutely OK and does not damage the battery of the device at all.
Once the lithium battery is charged up to 100%, the device stops the charging in order to prevent overload. Then once it falls to 99%, it charges it up to 100% again. Therefore, you won’t harm your device by leaving it to charge overnight.
However, if your main objective is long-term battery health, then it is best to charge lithium batteries (the ones in your iPad or iPhone) up to between 50-80%. This means charging your device in shorter sessions but multiple times during the day.