How to charge the iPad Mini 4 when planning a trip to Sao Tome

A guide showing how to power the iPad Mini 4 with a Sao Tome power outlet with a Lightning Apple cable with a Type C Europlug USB charger and how to recharge the iPad Mini 4 using a two pinned Type F power adapter.

Sao Tome power outlet

Complicated voltages and plugs can all be confusing when planning on visiting another country to the first time traveller. This guide was written to prevent you having to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPad Mini 4 abroad.This page has simple instructions telling you exactly what you'll need to supply power to the iPad Mini 4 when staying in Sao Tome using their types F or C Sao Tome 220 volt 50Hz plug outlets. You will discover power will change depending on which country you are visiting so please read the World power supplies page for a complete list of countries. If you are visiting Sao Tome from a different country please ensure that the iPad Mini 4 can be used with a 240v supply. If the iPad Mini 4 came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) double check the iPad Mini 4 is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to prevent the device from overloading when charging it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 9 or greater on the iPad Mini 4.

Charging the iPad Mini 4 in Sao Tome

Can you use the iPad Mini 4 in Sao Tome?

Yes, you can connect the iPad Mini 4 to a Sao Tome power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in Sao Tome?

If travelling with more than just your iPad Mini 4 then the best international travel charger for Sao Tome to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different standards of wall outlets that Sao Tomean use (F and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by switching the heads over. If your iPad Mini 4 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times with one of these USB travel chargers and additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices.

Having a 4 port charger will also allow you to power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring individual power chargers or using up additional power outlets. Because you are only needing to bring a single lightweight travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage as well as being convenient for recharging your iPad Mini 4 at the airport or on a flight. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional power outlet.

For those travelling to different continents we recommend buying this type of flexible power adapter at your preferred electronics retailer; the multipurpose travel charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Sao Tome

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPad Mini 4, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be necessary for visitors of regions with unreliable power supplies. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from North America going to Sao Tome using type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from North America using type B plugs and is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a generous 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 Sao Tome. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in Sao Tome?

Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

A guide showing how to power the iPad Mini 4 with a Sao Tome power outlet with a Lightning Apple cable with a Type C Europlug USB charger.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini 4 using the Sao Tome power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - the USB cable is usually included with your iPad Mini 4 by Apple.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Sao Tome power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the 2 round adjacent holes where the twin plug outlet pins go.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Turn on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which typically takes between one to five and a half hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet

A guide on how to charge the iPad Mini 4 with a Sao Tome power outlet with a Lightning cable and a double pin Type F Schuko power charger.

  1. To power the iPad Mini 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple will usually supply the USB cable with your iPad Mini 4).
  2. Start by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. This recessed circular power supply can be recognised by the two adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral and two thin grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the Lightning charging cable into the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Mini 4 will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly 60-300 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Sao Tome page on wikipedia
  2. Apple - iPad Mini 4 user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  5. USB to Apple Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  6. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  7. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  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..