Resolved Fast Charge 2021 iPad Pro 12.9

[iAdamator]

Can the 2021 12.9 iPad Pro be fast charged? If so, what watt power adapter is required?

I don't know if this is "new" or not, but I feel like my iPad charges very slow. Today for example, it took about 6 hours using the supplied 20W adapter. Is that normal? Admittedly I was using it off and on while it was chraging, but that still seems extremely slow to me. Funny part is I don't know if this is new behavior, or just something I haven't noticed before. Haha!

 

[sparksd]

Yes, with a 30W or greater Power Delivery charger & compatible cable.

 

[rui no onna]

6 hours sounds kinda long for 20W. Were you gaming at 100% brightness or something? Also, do you have a Kill-A-Watt or similar? Maybe you can check if the iPad is actually pulling 20W. 6 hours sounds more like what you'd get with a 10W charger.

I created some shortcuts/automations to message me the battery charge and time with certain events. This was using a 100W charger (same one I use for laptop). The max power draw from the wall while charging the iPad was ~38W. The iPad was locked while charging.

iPad Pro 12.9 (5th gen, 2021):

• 12% at 5:17 PM
• 91% at 6:46 PM
• 98% at 7:15 PM

As you can see, ~+80% charge after ~1.5 hours. After that, it's just trickle charging.

 

[JPack]

Check the adapter. It should be warm during charging. If not, the cable may be damaged and need to be replaced.

 

[iAdamator]

Check the adapter. It should be warm during charging. If not, the cable may be damaged and need to be replaced.

It’s under my desk and not super easy to get to but I did feel it during this charge today and it wasn’t too warm. It’s just a stock Apple 20W Adapter. I’m not using the Apple supplied USB cable, it’s still in the box. I’m using an Anker braided cable. Rated for at least 60 watts. I’d be surprised if the cable was the issue.

6 hours sounds kinda long for 20W. Were you gaming at 100% brightness or something? Also, do you have a Kill-A-Watt or similar? Maybe you can check if the iPad is actually pulling 20W. 6 hours sounds more like what you'd get with a 10W charger.

I created some shortcuts/automations to message me the battery charge and time with certain events. This was using a 100W charger (same one I use for laptop). The max power draw from the wall while charging the iPad was ~38W. The iPad was locked while charging.

iPad Pro 12.9 (5th gen, 2021):

• 12% at 5:17 PM
• 91% at 6:46 PM
• 98% at 7:15 PM

As you can see, ~+80% charge after ~1.5 hours. After that, it's just trickle charging.

Yeah it does seem slow. And I swear it wasn’t always this slow, but none of my equipment has changed. All I was doing was watching YouTube videos at normal brightness. I don’t have a Kill-A-Watt or anything like that.

Screenshot of my battery being charged today. I wonder if it’s time to make Use of my AppleCare+. Could something actually be wrong?

 

[rui no onna]

It’s under my desk and not super easy to get to but I did feel it during this charge today and it wasn’t too warm. It’s just a stock Apple 20W Adapter. I’m not using the Apple supplied USB cable, it’s still in the box. I’m using an Anker braided cable. Rated for at least 60 watts. I’d be surprised if the cable was the issue.

Cables do go bad. I also have a silver Anker USB-C 6ft 60W nylon braided cable that bit the dust. That one wouldn't even charge at all.

Try a different cable first (the Apple one would be good) before you even bother setting up an AC+ appointment.

 

[iAdamator]

Cables do go bad. I also have a silver Anker USB-C 6ft 60W nylon braided cable that bit the dust. That one wouldn't even charge at all.

Try a different cable first (the Apple one would be good) before you even bother setting up an AC+ appointment.

I’m currently draining my iPad so I can charge it.

Should I first test to see how fast it charges if I DONT use it while it charges?

 

[rui no onna]

Should I first test to see how fast it charges if I DONT use it while it charges?

That would be best.

 

[iAdamator]

Still running tests. I was just thinking, with the supplied 20W adapter, that can't be enough to "fast charge" the iPad is it? A post above mentions needing a 30W adapter and that makes sense.

Then again, even if my iPad doesn't "fast charge" with what I am using, it's "Normal charge" seems awfully slow doesn't it?

I've been charging it from completely dead since 7am. It's been 2 hours and 5 minutes so far and it's at 69%. This is without me using the iPad at all.

 

[rui no onna]

I just monitored charging with the 20W while using the iPad.

37% at 7:06 AM
50% at 7:36 AM
91% at 9:03 AM

So 54% charge in 2 hours with display at 15% brightness while browsing with Safari.

That 69% in 2 hours doesn’t seem too bad. That means it will likely go from 0% to 90-100% charge in 3 hours. A far cry from the 6 hours you were getting previously.

Are you still using the Anker cable or have you switched to the Apple one?

 

[iAdamator]

I just monitored charging with the 20W while using the iPad.

37% at 7:06 AM
50% at 7:36 AM
91% at 9:03 AM

So 54% charge in 2 hours with display at 15% brightness while browsing with Safari.

That 69% in 2 hours doesn’t seem too bad. That means it will likely go from 0% to 90-100% charge in 3 hours. A far cry from the 6 hours you were getting previously.

Are you still using the Anker cable or have you switched to the Apple one?

I was doing a baseline test with what I had been using previously, which was the supplied 20W Apple charger and my same Anker Cable. As you suspected, it was completely full in 3 hours almost exactly. I wanted to see how much of a difference not using the iPad while charging made.

Based on this, I'm going to say my hardware and charging equipment is all probably fine. I guess it really was just the fact that I was actively using the iPad is what made it charge so slow. I'm fine with that, just glad to know something does not seem to be "wrong" with any of my stuff.

Also, I do have a magic keyboard so that could also factor into it charging a bit slower while in use.

I appreciate all the replies and help.

 

[rui no onna]

I was doing a baseline test with what I had been using previously, which was the supplied 20W Apple charger and my same Anker Cable. As you suspected, it was completely full in 3 hours almost exactly. I wanted to see how much of a difference not using the iPad while charging made.

Based on this, I'm going to say my hardware and charging equipment is all probably fine. I guess it really was just the fact that I was actively using the iPad is what made it charge so slow. I'm fine with that, just glad to know something does not seem to be "wrong" with any of my stuff.

Glad to see everything’s fine with your gear.

Also, I do have a magic keyboard so that could also factor into it charging a bit slower while in use.

Ah yes, I’ve seen reports here about faster battery drain with Magic Keyboard. I don’t have one myself. I just use the same multi-device bluetooth keyboard and mouse that I use for my desktop.

 

[activeuro]

Since we're on this topic, Quick question for everyone, how long does a charge last you on average, just using the iPad lightly, email, surfing, Twitter, no gaming? Just wondering what's normal between charges. I have to charge every 2 days, which doesn't look normal to me.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I hate to revive this topic, but I'm seriously considering getting the iPad Pro 12.9" (M1 or M2 version). Does anyone think something like the Anker 521 40-watt charger will be powerful enough to charge this iPad Pro to full power in under three hours?

 

[BeatCrazy]

I hate to revive this topic, but I'm seriously considering getting the iPad Pro 12.9" (M1 or M2 version). Does anyone think something like the Anker 521 40-watt charger will be powerful enough to charge this iPad Pro to full power in under three hours?

The max the 12.9" Mx iPad can use is ~30w. So the Anker will be fine, and faster than the 20w adapter.

Note, the "quicker" charging times only happen between 0-50%. Once they start getting full, the charging rate slows down dramatically, regardless if you're using 20w or 40w.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I hate to revive this topic, but I'm seriously considering getting the iPad Pro 12.9" (M1 or M2 version). Does anyone think something like the Anker 521 40-watt charger will be powerful enough to charge this iPad Pro to full power in under three hours?

From what I could find, 12.9 M1 Pro can draw 36-39w when charging so the 40w charging brick your refering too should be able to charge the 12.9 as fast as possible. Not sure what will happen to charging time if your using it while charging though

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2021-m1-ipad-pro-max-charging-wattage.2297876/

 

[SactoGuy18]

Thank you for all the answers. I will likely get the Anker 521 USB-C charger if I do get the 2021 or 2022 12.9" iPad Pros. I would consider Apple's own 35 watt dual port charger but the price is $52 compared to Anker 521's $36 price...