Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Safe to charge my iphone with ipad charger?
- Thread starter armoredsaint
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I think this has been discussed many many many times.
It's compatible with ALL iDevices
Yes, as the iPhone regulates the charging itself - So it will only draw 5W even though the charger is capable of drawing 10W.
If that is true, then why does my iPhone charge twice as fast when I charge it with my iPad adapter?
Yeah, it's been we'll documented on MR that it charges the iPhone faster than the iPhone's native charger. I've never researched it to verify, but it sure seems much faster to me.
*i mean it charges faster with iPad adapter (you said iPhone adapter, I inadvertently agreed)
Last edited:
I have been charging my iPhones with iPad charger for quite a some time. There are no issues.. In fact iPhone charges much faster...
does charging faster shorten battery life, i assume it can since you're speeding up the process maybe 
Interesting... I wonder if it's hard on the battery? Because if it were fine to charge it as fast as it charges with a 10W then Apple would have used a 10W adaptor for the iPhone too, wouldn't they?
Uhmm... Didn't you read my post and see the pic I posted?
Also it's a price point issue.
It's amazing how often this topic comes up.
Apple's website clearly states the iPad charger can be used with all devices.
The phone circuitry controls how much power it draws while charging and prevents any damage.
Apple should really stop building the 5W charger as the parts are no longer a cost issue - though they were in the first versions of the 10W charger. If you open up the two devices today you will find the same chip controls each.
Since all of these devices can be physically plugged into any USB port or charging device from computers to car chargers and camera or headphone chargers, Apple made the decision early on to make the iDevice charging circuitry smart enough to limit the amount of power it draws to protect itself.
If the device can use the higher power to charge itself faster it does.
No harm. No over charging.
Apple's website clearly states the iPad charger can be used with all devices.
The phone circuitry controls how much power it draws while charging and prevents any damage.
Apple should really stop building the 5W charger as the parts are no longer a cost issue - though they were in the first versions of the 10W charger. If you open up the two devices today you will find the same chip controls each.
Since all of these devices can be physically plugged into any USB port or charging device from computers to car chargers and camera or headphone chargers, Apple made the decision early on to make the iDevice charging circuitry smart enough to limit the amount of power it draws to protect itself.
If the device can use the higher power to charge itself faster it does.
No harm. No over charging.