Are iPhone/iPad chargers interchangable?

[wahoo10]

The subject somewhat says it all. I know the iPhone charger would probably charge the iPad slower, but I don't know if the iPad charger would fry the iPhone.

I plugged a third-party USB cord into my work computer yesterday and my iPad refused to charge off of it, so that's why I'm wondering...

 

[AceCoolie]

I've used a 10 watt iPad charger on both my iPhone 4 and iPod touch without any problems. It just charges faster .

 

[Stealthipad]

BUT, your iPhone charger will not charge your iPad 3. If it did it would be so slow it would not be worth it.

 

[JMG]

That USB on your friend's computer should charge unless it wasn't plugged into a powered USB port like an unpowered hub.

 

[ZhenyaF]

AS said above, iPad charger for iPhone is fine. The iPhone will take the necessary power that it needs.

 

[thewitt]

That USB on your friend's computer should charge unless it wasn't plugged into a powered USB port like an unpowered hub.

Even some powered USB ports simply don't supply enough current for the iPad.

 

[RetiredInFl]

The subject somewhat says it all. I know the iPhone charger would probably charge the iPad slower, but I don't know if the iPad charger would fry the iPhone.

I plugged a third-party USB cord into my work computer yesterday and my iPad refused to charge off of it, so that's why I'm wondering...

The iPhone charger will take 2X as long to charge the iPad as it is one-half the power. It will work, but slowly.

A USB port will also charge the iPad despite the fact it says on top "not charging." I do it all the time, it is just VERY slow. At least as slow as using an iPHONE charger and possibly even slower depending on the power of the USB port.

The iPAD charger will charge the iPHONE in the same time the iPHONE charger will, not faster, because each device is set for it's own charge RATE in the hardware. You could put a 1,000,000 watt charger on an iPhone or an iPad and both devices will only charge at the set rate in it's firmware.

Some DEVS have modified the charging rate on some Android devices through the devices firmware but it is dangerous unfortunately Apple doesn't provide that access even on a jailbroken device.

As for cords, I have a couple 3rd party cables that charged the iPad 2 fine but don't work on the iPad 3. Well, the do sorta work, it took like 17 hours to charge it.

 

[JMG]

If the iPad charger is 10w, what is a standard USB plug on a computer and what is the iPhone's charger?

 

[RetiredInFl]

If the iPad charger is 10w, what is a standard USB plug on a computer and what is the iPhone's charger?

5 watts, approx 1000mah for iPhone, 10 watts, approx 2000mah for iPad and most motherboard powered USB ports are around 500mah, 2.5 watts (not 100% on that one but I believe the "spec" is that).

 

[JMG]

5 watts, approx 1000mah for iPhone, 10 watts, approx 2000mah for iPad and most motherboard powered USB ports are around 500mah, 2.5 watts (not 100% on that one but I believe the "spec" is that).

So the iPhone will charge slower plugged into a computer than its power adapter? What are the USB plugs for cigarette lighters in cars?

 

[RetiredInFl]

So the iPhone will charge slower plugged into a computer than its power adapter? What are the USB plugs for cigarette lighters in cars?

Yes.

USB cigarette lighter plugs vary (if you believe the manufacturers or websites or eBay descriptions - you usually get what you pay for). I use a single outlet Scosche (http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCOSCHE-USB...661?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6bf7ef5d) which is rated at 2.1 amps (same as the iPad wall charger). There are dual outlet models as well but each outlet uses 1/2 the rated power.