Adapter for old lightning cables for new IPad with USB C??

[TimRichards]

Hi. I recently got a new iPad 4 which has a USB C port on the bottom for charging etc. I now realize I have NINE cable in place which all end with the Apple lightning end. These cables are all in different locations where I commonly need a charge, e.g. cabin, boat, vehicles, home. Is there a reliable way to buy and use adapters to charge my new iPad using the old cables? The internet tells me some vendors sell adapters, some in packages is six, for between two and thirty dollars. So I’m hoping someone with a little experience can steer me towards possible reliable solutions. Thanks and greetings from the rain up coast.

 

[chas_m]

If your iPad has a USB-C port, then it is either an iPad Air (2020 or 2022 models only), or an iPad Pro (2018 or later). No other iPads have USB-C ports. Assuming you meant an iPad Pro or Air 4th generation, you can't really use those Lightning cables for charging this new one at all -- there's no such thing as a Lightning-to-USB-C adapter that I'm aware of.

Any USB-C cables that are unusually cheap are to be avoided, as they generally lack the safety features of MfI (Apple certified third-party) cables and can cause battery damage or even fires. As long as a third-party cable is Apple-certified, it meets their safety requirements.

 

[TimRichards]

This is very much appreciated Chas, thank you.

 

[elr-vmug]

There are adapters for this purpose (our kids just ran into this issue); we got a bunch of adapters like these and they are good-to-go!

 

[chas_m]

There are adapters for this purpose (our kids just ran into this issue); we got a bunch of adapters like these and they are good-to-go!

So they DRAIN the battery of a lightning device, and feed power TO the iPad? Or do they use the iPad's USB-C port to charge the Lightning devices? The latter, I can understand. I have my USB-C MBP charging an iPhone right now, but the reverse? What would be the point, exactly?

Also, how are these adapters compatible with Android products as it claims on their page? Who's using an iPhone or iPad to charge an Android USB-C device? I'm scratching my head on this one, but at least I stand corrected that they do indeed exist.

 

[elr-vmug]

No - the OP said he wanted to utilize his existing lightning cables (power into wall, other end is lightning) to charge his new USB-C device (iPad). He can plug his existing lightning cables into the adapter, and the adapter into his USB-C device and voila, it charges using his existing lightning cables all over his house (exactly how the video illustrates on the product page). Rather than buying all new USB-C charging cables.

Unsure why this is confusing.

 

[chas_m]

Lightning cables are only rated for as high as 12 watts, so using them will take longer for iPads than USB-C cables would (iPad Pro and Air have 20W chargers).

 

[TimRichards]

No - the OP said he wanted to utilize his existing lightning cables (power into wall, other end is lightning) to charge his new USB-C device (iPad). He can plug his existing lightning cables into the adapter, and the adapter into his USB-C device and voila, it charges using his existing lightning cables all over his house (exactly how the video illustrates on the product page). Rather than buying all new USB-C charging cables.

Unsure why this is confusing.

I hadn’t noticed the link in your reply, clicked over there and ordered a two-pack. My need is mostly for convenience and so I don’t have to buy too many new cables. I’ll station these two in likely spots. The speed issue is noted... all good.