Searched for hours but can't find this.
I have a USB charger block that tells me the current in Amperes the charging devices are pulling in. My iPhone through generic mfi lightning cable charges at 2.4 Amps. My iPad Air 2021 through several different good quality USB A->USB C cables Never gets to 1 A. It hovers at 0.97-0.99 amps. Never over that.
Why is that? Anything to do about it?
iPad Air
The intended chargers are not being shipped with the device anymore and I gather there are a number of different apple chargers that have quite different characteristics belying their similar appearance. Besides that my main charger is in my office, secured into my desk, at the third floor and I'm not taking it with me everywhere. This charger with display I'm talking about is located in my living room, two floors down and is for general use for us and guests, so for all sorts of devices with all sorts of short cables attached.
I'm just disappointed that my newer device will not charge at the same, quite ordinary rate as my older one. 2A is not a difficult to handle current. This iPad is being throttled.
Again Apple making stuff difficult and taking away from the user experience like they do with so many things. Like non-upgradable memory, non-repairable devices, huge markup on apps in the store, etc. We all know Apple is not strapped for cash. They have better reserves and cashflow than an average country, not even third world.
I'm deeply and thoroughly invested in the apple ecosystem with all of my family's devices being Apples. But if you are the best company, treat us as the best customers and not make us feel we're being boxed in and wrung out all the time.
Wow. That escalated quickly. Apparently it's bugging me.
Be aware that the Apple Support Community is a user-to-user technical forum. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you.
Apple are not here. Other than the site Moderators, who (a) ensure that contributors abide by the Terms Of Use that govern participation within the Community - and (b) will try to provide information and support for topics that are unanswered - Apple neither monitor nor participate within these communities. As such, your complaint will be unseen by its presumed target audience.
As for your iPad, it will charge at its maximum supported rate when used with an appropriate Power Adapter. As soon as USB Type-A appears at any point in the connection chain, you will reduce the iPad’s maximum supported 20W charging rate to 12W - and this will extend the charging time for your iPad.
Your iPad supports USB PD (Power Delivery). This fast charging standard, delivered over USB-C, allows connected devices to select a mutually supported power-profile - permitting fast charging of large batteries. Remember, the battery within your iPad is significantly larger than that within your iPhone - and this impacts charging requirements.
If you wish to benefit from fast charging in multiple rooms without moving your Power Adapter, you’ll need to invest in one or more additional Power Adapters. The 20W (or greater) USB-C Power Adapters are fully compatible with your iPhone when used with a USB-C to Lightning charging cable.
USB Type-A is an old (now deprecated) standard that has been replaced by USB-C. Within Europe and many other countries, USB-C is now the legally mandated connection standard for all rechargeable portable electronic devices. USB Type-A is being progressively phased-out, world-wide.
Your iPad battery is considerably larger than your iPhone - and this, in part, will contribute to differences in charging performance. Also be aware that recent Apple devices support and utilise USB PD (Power Delivery) - this having substantial impact upon charging speed and efficiency.
Most models of iPad require a Power Adapter rated at 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V) or greater to reliably charge. 5W Power Adapters (1.0A @5V) intended for older models of iPhone are inadequate to charge an iPad; if the iPad charges at all, charging will be very slow. Recent models of iPad are supplied with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter.
Some third-party USB-C power adapters (and portable PowerBanks) may not support USB PD (Power Delivery). Power Delivery mutually negotiates the charging voltage; the source, load and cable are all elements involved in the negotiation protocol. Unless the Power Adapter explicitly supports USB PD, it will almost certainly fail to charge the iPad via a USB-C hub.
Also be aware that USB standards limit USB-C cables to a maximum of 2m. Longer non-certified third-party cables may be available, but may not be usable. Remember, USB-C cables are not all the same. They are “active” - in that they include additional electronics built-in to their connectors.
Also worthy of mention, many computer USB ports also cannot source sufficient power to charge an iPad. Unless explicitly designed for charging connected devices, computer USB ports are typically limited to 0.5-1A @5V (i.e., 2.5-5.0W).
In summary, USB Type-A Power Adapters and cables will only operate at 5V - and will therefore limit the effective charging rate to ~12W (i.e, 2.4A @5V). USB-C Power Adapters that support USB PD can charge at higher voltage (in practice, 9/12/15V) - the charging rate being limited to ~20W.
This does not appear to address my question.
The same charger, rated at over 12W, charges older iPhone @ 2A+ and newer iPad @ 1A-. Both short cables.
Apparently anything that does not answer the iPad in the preferred way gets throttled to 1A.
That's progress for you.
Have you updated your iPad to iPadOS 16.5.1?
There have been some reported charging issues with iPadOS 16.4.x/16.5 - reportedly resolved in iPadOS 16.5.1.
Regardless, your iPad Air will be optimally charged when using the intended USB-C Power Adapter.
I know. just venting. Sorry.
Still nowhere explains this thing. This charger with USB-A comfortably charges several other devices (also USB-A, either to lightning, USB micro or USB-C) at 20W and not the newer iPad. It's as simple as that.
Does a bigger battery require slower charging? Does not seem logical.
I'll forego my comments on USB-A not being gone for a long time (just think cars that are still delivered with them) and the environmental strain of prematurely binning all those chargers.
You don’t need to “bin” your older Power Adapters. They are still perfectly usable - but if you wish to charge your iPad at it’s fastest supported charging rate, you’ll have to use a USB-C Power Adapter rated at 20W or greater.
Why does my iPad Air 2021 charge slow compared to my iPhone 12 Pro?
