iPad Mini 4 - Not Recharging with PC USB

[MartyTX]

Bought new iPad Mini 4 and have a question about recharging.

Mini 4 recharges fine using AC wall outlet, but will not recharge connected to desktop PC USB port. The iPad screen says "Not Charging" when connected.

All other devices I use (iPhone 5 and iPad Mini 1) recharge fine using the same lightning connector cord and same PC USB port.

Need help from other iPad Mini 4 owners: can you recharge via PC USB?

If it's a defective unit, I need to return it pronto.

Thanks,

Marty

[HarryT]

That's normal. The iPad requires a higher charging current than a PC's USB port can supply. If you compare your iPhone's wall charger with the iPad charger, you'll see that the iPad charger is a 10W charger, and the iPhone only 5W. (Ie you can charge your iPhone using the iPad charger, but not vice versa).

[kyteflyer]

My iPad (Air 2 and Mini 4) both charge happily from my 2010 Macbook ports... but not from ports on my Dell U2410 monitor which I use with my Mac Mini, or from the USB hub I have attached to the Mini.

[MartyTX]

Harry & Kyteflyer,

Thank you both ... looks like my iPad Mini 4 is a keeper.

I checked the charger from an old iPhone 4 and it is 5W. Likewise, the charger from my iPad Mini 1 is 5W.

However, the iPad Mini 4 came with a 12W wall charger.

Apparently the USB on my old desktop (Windows Vista 2007) is out of its league trying to charge the more power hungry Mini 4.

Sure do like my new Mini:
Retina display versus non-retina
128GB versus 16GB of storage
Not limited to iOS 9.3.5
Faster processor, some apps load noticeably quicker

[DaleDe]

I have noticed that sometimes my iPad will say not charging but actually it is trickle charging anyway and will eventually charge.

Dale

[MartyTX]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

I have noticed that sometimes my iPad will say not charging but actually it is trickle charging anyway and will eventually charge.

Dale

Yes, that's happening with my Mini 4.

The other day, I connected the Mini to my PC's USB to back it up with iTunes. The Mini said "Recharging" and displayed the recharge icon. In the past, it always said "NOT recharging" when connected via USB. Noticed that it happened to have a 100% charge when I attached it.

So, after some experimenting, some rather odd and underwhelming conclusions about my iPad and the USB:

- When already at 100% charge, it says "Recharging" when plugged into USB.
- When attached with less than 100% charge, it says "Not Recharging", but it does recharge very slowly.

As Spock would say: illogical.

[Wearever]

Interesting. I charge my mini 4, iphone 5. and Air 2 all on their designated chargers with the wall charger. No problems, but my husbands ipad 4 is consistently saying it's not charging, like Dale said, it is trickle charging with the wall charger. His Air, and mini charges fine with the wall charger also.

Also like Harry has said ,I always make sure the phone charger and ipad charger are not on the same plug so I don't mix them up.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by MartyTX

Yes, that's happening with my Mini 4.

The other day, I connected the Mini to my PC's USB to back it up with iTunes. The Mini said "Recharging" and displayed the recharge icon. In the past, it always said "NOT recharging" when connected via USB. Noticed that it happened to have a 100% charge when I attached it.

So, after some experimenting, some rather odd and underwhelming conclusions about my iPad and the USB:

- When already at 100% charge, it says "Recharging" when plugged into USB.
- When attached with less than 100% charge, it says "Not Recharging", but it does recharge very slowly.

As Spock would say: illogical.

Depends on the logic. With the screen on the unit consumes more power and will not charge but with it off it will charge but you can't see it.

Dale

[MartyTX]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Depends on the logic. With the screen on the unit consumes more power and will not charge but with it off it will charge but you can't see it.

Dale

If an iPad Mini is in the forest and no one is around to see it charge, will it charge?

[Wearever]

Originally Posted by MartyTX

If an iPad Mini is in the forest and no one is around to see it charge, will it charge?

Only if it's solar.