Charging the iPad when planning a trip to Mexico

Using a 30-pin connector with a Type A USB charger to charge your iPad with a Mexican power outlet and how to power the iPad using a 3 pin Type B power adapter.

Mexican power outlet

When packing for a trip to Mexico it can be helpful to know in advance if you'll be able to charge all your devices like cell phones or tablets that you'll be bringing along with you. By not knowing which power socket to expect you could pack the wrong power charger, leaving you having to purchase a potentially expensive charger when you need to recharge which might not be compatible and cause problems with your iPad. Various combinations of region codes and voltages can all lead to confusion when planning to travel to a new country, especially if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of plug sockets used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to power your iPad . These instructions have been specifically written to prepare travellers wanting to power their iPad when staying in Mexico.When you are planning a holiday to Mexico this page contains useful instructions showing charging the iPad by using their standard B or A type Mexican 127 volt 60Hz power outlets, please note Type B power outlets will be used by a majority of Mexicans. Type A electrical sockets aren't as commonplace but still used by some hotels in Mexico. Most power changes regionally therefore we suggest reading the North America page for a complete list of regions and countries. If the iPad charges slowly or does not power up when you are visiting Mexico from another country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which come from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check the device is a dual voltage device (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. This page details the original iPad first generation, visit the Apple category page for the latest range of Apple iPads. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 5 or greater on the iPad.

Charging the iPad in Mexico

Can you use the iPad in Mexico?

You can use the iPad in Mexico by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad in Mexico?

When travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPad then the best travel charger for Mexico to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Mexicans use two different types of wall outlets (types B and A) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type A. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the included heads. If your iPad supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, and additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this will allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual travel chargers. Only packing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the weight and size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being convenient for charging your iPad at the airport or on the flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel adapters can be used back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and e-readers without using up an additional wall outlet.

We recommend buying a multipurpose travel charger like this at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Mexico

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which can be useful for visitors of regions with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Mexico.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This gives practically the same functionality as the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Mexico. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad in Mexico?

Powering the iPad with a Mexican power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Using a 30-pin connector with a Type A USB charger to charge your iPad with a Mexican power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPad from a Mexican power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can recognise this plug supply by the two slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral. Note that Type A power sockets aren't as common however are still found in some hotels in Mexico.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad with a Mexican power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPad with a Mexican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using a 30-pin connector with a Type B USB charger to charge your iPad with a Mexican power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPad from a Mexican power outlet you'll need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. The wall outlet (technically called the Type B power outlet [6]) is identified by the 2 thin slots next to each other for live and neutral blades with a single hole below for the slightly long grounded pin. Type B electrical outlets are the most common outlets found in Mexico.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad with a Mexican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Visitmexico - Visit Mexico Web Site
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  5. USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..