Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,471
4,331
Down south
Which one is it? How long does it take to charge as opposed to the one it comes with? What all needs to be purchased?
 
My understanding is that you need the Apple 29W USB-C power adapter (29W USB-C Power Adapter https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MJ262LL/A) along with the USB-C to Lightning cable (USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MK0X2AM/A) to enable the fast charging.

I linked the 1-meter cable but there are other lengths as well.

This is a different set of connectors than the typical USB-to-Lightning that shows with the iPhone and iPad.

Edit: CNet had the charging time approximately twice as fast: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/ipad-pro-fast-charging/

Edit2: more in-depth results from 29W charger vs the packaged 12W charger: https://www.macstories.net/ios/testing-apples-29w-usb-c-power-adapter-and-ipad-pro-fast-charging/
  • At full brightness while on the Home screen, the 29W adapter charged the iPad Pro by 7.5% (21.9% to 29.4%) in 10 minutes; the 12W adapter charged the iPad by 1.1% only.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: luy
I used the charger from my MacBook Pro and it was a lot faster, although I did not do any sort of proper timing of it.
 
I got the fast charging equipment for the old 12.9 Pro. It makes a massive difference. Highly recommended!
 
  • Like
Reactions: sracer
You have not experienced slow charging until you have accidentally used the cable from your 5W phone charger to charge your 12.9" iPad...

A.
 
Oh! Didn't think of this!

I did need to also buy a USB-C to Lightning cable though. My plan was to buy something in the middle if would reasonably charge a MacBook Pro, like the 61w and scale down what I travel with to save some weight. The one that the MCP comes with takes some real estate and isn’t a feather either.
 
The 12.9 iPad Pro 2017 is known for needing a faster charger. The one included in the box is woefully inadequate. I ordered 3rd party reputable chargers to save a bunch of money and hopefully get a product that lasts more than 5 minutes, but you can use the Apple ones if you prefer.
 
I used the charger from my MacBook Pro and it was a lot faster, although I did not do any sort of proper timing of it.
Just to confirm, you're saying I can use the 87W from my MBP and charge the iPad with a Lightning-USBC cable? It doesn't have to be the 29W adapter, correct?
 
And how did you verify you're getting 29w of fast charging?
I don't use any app, just noted the time I was at 2% then a while later when I got to 80%. It was just under 2 hours. Additionally I bought the charger as a spare for my 12" MacBook and it charges the laptop the same as the 29w charger from Apple.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ABC5S
I don't use any app, just noted the time I was at 2% then a while later when I got to 80%. It was just under 2 hours. Additionally I bought the charger as a spare for my 12" MacBook and it charges the laptop the same as the 29w charger from Apple.

Yeah, that doesn't really count.

For real "fast charging", both the brick and the cable need to support 14.5V @ 2amps (29w), not just 9V @ 3amps (18w) which your setup is likely doing the latter. Also FYI, that USB-C to Lightning cable you have is not MFi-certified, only the version from Apple is considered genuine.

More info here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...oesnt-charge-12-9-ipad-pro-29w.2015416/page-3
 
  • Like
Reactions: A.R.E.A.M.
Yeah, that doesn't really count.

For real "fast charging", both the brick and the cable need to support 14.5V @ 2amps (29w), not just 9V @ 3amps (18w) which your setup is likely doing the latter. Also FYI, that USB-C to Lightning cable you have is not MFi-certified, only the version from Apple is considered genuine.

More info here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...oesnt-charge-12-9-ipad-pro-29w.2015416/page-3

Look I'm just posting my personal experience with what I've experienced. I understand you don't want to "believe" what I'm saying so I'll just not bother to interject with you anymore at this time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ABC5S
Look I'm just posting my personal experience with what I've experienced. I understand you don't want to "believe" what I'm saying so I'll just not bother to interject with you anymore at this time.

I just want to point out for our MR members that there is an objective way to measure/define "fast charging" with the iPad Pros other than 'it works'. Not attacking you. So far, only the OEM Apple 29w charger has been measured to actually deliver a maximum charging amount to the iPad Pros. Unless you can demonstrate that the Anker provides 29w (instead of 18w or lower), then we have no real basis of comparison for what you're experiencing with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: A.R.E.A.M.
\ Unless you can demonstrate that the Anker provides 29w (instead of 18w or lower), then we have no real basis of comparison for what you're experiencing with it.


There's a ton of conflicting info out there. I've realizing that I'm Googling this issue a lot. My latest (possibly relevent) hit, was at a site that seems to have done real testing on the three Apple ones: 87W, 61W, and 29W. The test was rather recent, and all three negotiate the higher voltage 'fast charge' with at least the two new iPad models. There was some question as to wether the higher capacity Apple adapters would negotiate the 29W similar to the actual 29w Apple adapter. The test seems to say they do, and perhaps actually supply more power than 29W.

Here's the link

https://gtrusted.com/apple-ipad-pro...w-usb-c-power-adapter-over-usb-power-delivery
 
Last edited:
There's a ton of conflicting info out there. I've realizing that I'm Googling this issue a lot. My latest (possibly relevent) hit, was at a site that seems to have done real testing on the three Apple ones: 87W, 61W, and 29W. The test was rather recent, and all three negotiate the higher voltage 'fast charge' with at least the two new iPad models. There was some question as to wether the higher capacity Apple adapters would negotiate the 29W similar to the actual 29w Apple adapter. The test seems to say they do, and perhaps actually supply more power than 29W.

I will try to find the link, but Google this yourself.

No need to Google, this topic with the 61w/87w USB-C chargers and the 'fast-charge-capable iPads' has already been discussed and tested here on these forums: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/use-apple-87w-charger-with-macbook.2040394/#post-24482166
 
No need to Google, this topic with the 61w/87w USB-C chargers and the 'fast-charge-capable iPads' has already been discussed and tested here on these forums: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/use-apple-87w-charger-with-macbook.2040394/#post-24482166
But isn't it possible that Apple updated how the 2017 iPad Pros negotiate charging via usb-c? The discussion from previous threads is only in regards to the 2015 model. My hope is that the 2017 iPad Pros are able to negotiate more "standard" volt and amp combinations over usb-c and, therefore, can be fast charged by many more third party chargers. That would be a very welcome improvement.
 
But isn't it possible that Apple updated how the 2017 iPad Pros negotiate charging via usb-c? The discussion from previous threads is only in regards to the 2015 model. My hope is that the 2017 iPad Pros are able to negotiate more "standard" volt and amp combinations over usb-c and, therefore, can be fast charged by many more third party chargers. That would be a very welcome improvement.

It's possible, but knowing Apple, unlikely.

Again, this is why I was asking @HengenJL for more objective analysis of his experience.

Actually I have a Kill-A-Watt, as well as both 29w and 61w USB-C chargers, and the 10.5 Pro. So I will test later to see if the 10.5 can draw a full 29w from the 61w-version charger, or (likely) the expected 18w.
 
I just want to point out for our MR members that there is an objective way to measure/define "fast charging" with the iPad Pros other than 'it works'. Not attacking you. So far, only the OEM Apple 29w charger has been measured to actually deliver a maximum charging amount to the iPad Pros. Unless you can demonstrate that the Anker provides 29w (instead of 18w or lower), then we have no real basis of comparison for what you're experiencing with it.

I get what you're saying. Definitive data is good. However, if you can charge from 2% to 80% in 2 hours, then it's pretty obvious that you're charging much faster than the supplied charger and cable allow. So, more data is needed to know the specifics, but you can rest assured that you're getting a noticeable benefit.
 
I get what you're saying. Definitive data is good. However, if you can charge from 2% to 80% in 2 hours, then it's pretty obvious that you're charging much faster than the supplied charger and cable allow. So, more data is needed to know the specifics, but you can rest assured that you're getting a noticeable benefit.

Here's the "more data" you might be interested in ;)

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/10-5-ipad-pro-fast-charging.2050391/page-3#post-24713109
 
Yes, that's good to know - thank you. I'm going to try the 3rd party charger recommended here by a couple of others along with a more durable braided cable and see how it goes.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.