Everything You Need to Know about the Apple iPhone Charger

Have you ever lost your Apple iPhone charger and tried to use another one that had the right connection but didn’t work for charging your phone? There is a lot that you need to know about Apple iPhone chargers because they’re unique, unlike many of the other brands. To help you have the best of success with your Apple iPhone charger, here is everything that you need to know about it along with some little known facts about these electronics accessories.

Simple on the outside and complicated on the interior

The charger for the Apple iPhone might look like a very simple device, but it’s what goes on inside the plastic case that gets complicated. The manufacturer follows very detailed plans for creating the inner workings of this magical device that powers your Apple iPhone. The same rule applies for all Apple chargers whether it’s for a phone or a tablet. The reason for making a big deal out of the design of the charger is so it will be safe for users as well as deliver high quality with strong and fast charging along with durability so it will last longer. There are processes which occur at lightning speed inside of the charger to regulate the flow of electricity to deliver the precise voltage for charging your device safely. This requires a somewhat complicated circuitry. The tiny components are expertly arranged to ensure that each charger delivers the best possible charging feature possible for Apple iPhones.

Can you use old Apple iPhone chargers for newer phones?

Fans of Apple products are likely to have several different device chargers around the house. If you own several different Apple mobile iOs devices, such as an Apple Watch, an iPod Touch, an iPad and a variety of iPhones it may be hard to know which charger to use on which device. It can get confusing. Is it okay to use an Apple charger that was made for another model iPhone? The answer is that they come in different sizes and although most of them will accept a USB cable, the label indicates how they are different. The wattage for these chargers may be different even if the connectors are a perfect match. The good news is that the 5 Watt Apple chargers are standard for use with the Apple Watch and iPhones and they can safely be used if the connections fit without damaging the phone but it’s not likely to charge all models as quickly as the one that was made for it.

Can you use an Apple iPhone charger to charge your iPad?

Before we answer this question, it’s important to understand how Apple chargers and any other charger or that matter work. They come in different sizes, watts and voltages. An iPhone charger that is 5 volts is 1 amps and 5 watts typically. an Apple PC USB is 5 volts and .5 amps and 2.5 watts and an iPad charger is 5.1 volts with 2.1 amps and 12 watts. They are all configured differently and each is made specifically for its own intended device for optimal charging. To answer the question, they will all charge an iPad, even if the device displays a message that says it is not charging. The problem is that the rate of re-charge is much slower and it could take as long as four times the usual amount of time when you’re not using the recommended charger. The caveat here is that the screen of the iPad needs to be turned off or the small trickle of power that is coming through will be used to power the screen alone and you won’t benefit.

The best practice with Apple iPhone chargers

There are many of us who have a tendency to hang onto old chargers long after the device has been disposed of. It’s not a bad thing to keep something that might be useful in the future because it can save a lot of money, but it’s not the best approach to take. In a perfect world, the best solution is to maintain your Apple iPhone charger and avoid twisting the cord or subjecting it to other types of damage and use the cord that came with the phone or other Apple device to get the ideal charging speed. In an emergency, you an usually get away with leaving an Apple device plugged in to an Apple charger from a different device but it’s going to take between two to four times as long for it to charge when the device is turned off so the power is all going to the battery. It’s best to avoid the temptation and if you’re prone to breaking your chargers or misplacing them, it might be a good idea to keep a spare around for emergency situations.

How to charge your Apple iPhone faster

Fast charging is a new feature that is offered for iPhone 8, 8 plus and X models. These phones are sold with a 5 Watt adapter that doesn’t allow for the use of the feature because it’s not powerful enough. In order to fast charge one of these phones, you’ll need to purchase two extra accessories which are a USB-C to Lightning Cable and a 29 Watt USB-C power adapter for a total cost of around $75. You’ll lower the charging time for the iPhone 8 Plus from 190 minutes to 118 when using the fast charge adapter. Apple techs developed this fast charging system using their proprietary USB PD protocol to Lightning cables for iOS charging. The USB Type C was made specifically for their new Android phone generation and it eliminated the issues experienced with the lightning cables while maintaining the advantages.

Watch out for counterfeit Lightning connectors

Another thing to be aware of is that when you’re gong with the fast charge option you’re likely purchasing an accessory that did not come with your phone. It’s important to be aware of the fact that there are a lot of companies out there that produce accessories that are labeled as Apple products but they may not be certified or they may be counterfeit. The best way to avoid being tricked into buying a potentially hazardous fake Apple accessory is to make sure that you buy from a trusted source that carries genuine certified Apple products and accessories. If you do buy from other vendors make sure to check the packaging as well as the writing that Apple products include on the cable. If the product is made from a third party that is certified, there will be an MFi badge on the package and you should see a serial number as proof that contains 12 digits, according to Apple Support.

Common myths about iPhone chargers

According to TD of Cable Wholesale’s blog, there are several myths about Apple iPhone chargers that need to be cleared up. Not all of us are cell phone experts so most users don’t know fact from fiction when it comes to safety and their high tech electronics and chargers. Here are some of the most common myths about charging your iPhone that need to be clarified so you’ll have the straight facts for your safety and ultimate satisfaction with the products.

• It’s okay to use a generic charger for your iPhone – There are a lot of knockoff brands out there and they’re usually less expensive than an authentic iPhone charger. While there are a lot of users who opt for the cheaper cables and chargers and have no problems ,there are those who have major problems including battery explosions and phones catching fire. This is because some of the more cheaply made chargers are not equipped with the safety circuitry that prevents these types of tragedies from happening and the consequences can be dire and result in extreme harm or worse.
• You can’t use your phone while it’s charging – This is another myth. There was an incident of an iPhone exploding while charging but it was because the charger was not an authentic Apple product.
• You should never charge your phone overnight – This is a myth that is based on the possibility of the phone overcharging and being damaged or causing a fire. The real fact is that when your iPhone that is plugged in to the recommended iPhone charger’s battery is full it will automatically stop receiving a charge, even when it’s plugged in. These are the three most common myths that have no basis in reality.

Trouble shooting if your Apple charger won’t charge the device

If you plug your iPhone in to charge but it’s not charging properly it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s a serious problem. Sometimes it’s something simple that can be remedied fast. Even if you see an alert there are a few steps that you should take before rushing out to buy a new charger. First, check to make sure that you grabbed the right cord. Check all of the connections to your phone, the USB connection to your charger and the end that is plugged into the power source to make sure that everything is secure. If this doesn’t solve the problem, then check to make sure that the cable you’re using is an Apple certified product. If not, this could be the problem and it’s not recommended to continue charging with such an adapter.

Charging your iPhone on a other devices

Also make sure that the power source is working properly. Sometimes moving to another power outlet will solve the problem. you can also plug your charging cable into a port on your computer. Make sure that the computer is turned on and that you are using a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port. You can charge with a USB hub or docking station but only use USB hubs or docking stations that are Apple certified to charge your iPhone .

Why is it so important to go with Apple certified accessories?

We’ve all heard the stories about Apple iPhones or their batteries exploding and causing severe injuries to the people who happen to be around when it happens. There are documented occurrences of these tragedies and it’s just not worth taking the chance with your well being first of all, and secondly, with an expensive device that contains information that you’ve stored and hold dear. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Even if you’ve been lucky so far, and haven’t had any problems with generic or knockoff cheaper versions, the risk is always there. Most of the cheaper products are not made with a fail safe design that Apple is passionate about including, hence the complexity of the internal workings of their adapters and cords. It’s well worth paying a few extra dollars to protect your health and your devices.

Final thoughts

Apple iPhone chargers are very unique within the market. They’re made differently than other brands and it’s all for good reasons. The cost for buying authentic certified Apple accessories is more than the knockoff brands that are vying for your business through dirt cheap prices, but they don’t offer the safety and protection that you get with Apple. There is no substitute for the quality and special built-in features that come with the real deal. While you can use Apple iPhone chargers to charge other devices, be aware that there are differences in the internal design, the wattage and the amps that will affect charging times. You have the information to separate the facts from the myths and you’re somewhat of an expert on Apple chargers, so spread the word to let other Apple device users know why it’s so important to stick with the proven accessories that come with a guarantee from the manufacturer.