Charge the AirPods case with your iPhone and iPad
The AirPods come in a plastic box, which you can charge with a regular Lightning or USB-C cable. But you have to be near a power socket or have a MacBook. If you want to be able to charge your AirPods case on the go, you can also do this via the iPhone and iPad.
- Charge AirPods with USB-C on iPhone or iPad
- Charge AirPods with Lightning on iPhone or iPad
Charge AirPods with USB-C on iPhone or iPad
Charging your AirPods is easiest if you have an iPhone or iPad with a USB-C connection. This concerns the following models:
- iPhone 15 and newer
- iPad Pro 2018 and newer
- iPad Air (2020) fourth generation and newer
- iPad mini (2021) sixth generation and newer
- Standard iPad 2022 and newer
Which cable you need depends on the AirPods case. Only the latest AirPods Pro 2023 have a USB-C port. All other AirPods are equipped with a charging case with Lighting connection.
In the first case, you need a USB-C to USB-C cable (€25). If you have AirPods with a Lightning port, you will need a USB-C to Lightning cable (€25). There is also a longer version of 2 meters, for which you pay 35 euros.
Charge AirPods with Lightning on iPhone or iPad
If you have an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connection, things become a little more complicated. You will need the Lightning to USB camera adapter (€35) in combination with a standard USB-A to USB-C cable.
But then you’re not always there. If you connect the charging case in this way, charging may stop at some point because the AirPods require too much power. You can prevent this with a so-called USB data blocker, for example from the PortaPow brand (approx. 6 euros). This accessory ensures that charging is faster, but it also offers new possibilities, such as charging the AirPods on a Lightning port.
This can be useful for people who are often on the road and do not always have a power socket at hand. With a cable and a simple accessory you can top up your AirPods case at any time. It is not the most elegant solution, but if you already take adapters with you, you can still add that one USB plug.
There are even more fun tricks you can do with the AirPods. You can also use the AirPods case as a holder to place your iPhone upright if you want to watch a movie – although it is not always stable.
