How to charge any mobile phone in India

Instructions showing how to power any mobile phone with an Indian power outlet with type B USB cable with a three pin Europlug Type C power adapter, how to power any mobile phone using a three pinned Type D power charger and powering any mobile phone using a three pinned Type M power plug

Indian power outlet

When planning a vacation it is helpful to know in advance if you can use all your electronics when you get there. By not knowing which plug socket is being used in India you are more likely to bring the wrong charger, therefore needing to purchase a suitable power adaptor when you need it. Various standards and plugs can all be confusing when planning to visit another country if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of standards being used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the mobile phone . These instructions have been written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge the mobile phone abroad.These instructions tells you exactly what you'll need to supply power to the mobile phone when going to India using the standard D, C or M type 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, you'll find a majority of Indians will use the Type D plugs in their power outlets. If travelling to India from a different country ensure that the mobile phone can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) ensure that your device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to prevent the device from overloading when charging it.

These instructions are for a generic mobile phone and assume the phone has a standard micro USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone socket. For all the latest phones please visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in India

Can the mobile phone be used in India?

Yes, you can use any mobile phone in India.

What is the best travel charger for any mobile phone in India?

When travelling with more than your mobile phone the best travel power adapter for India is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Indians use three different standards of power outlets (D, C and M) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by changing the included plugs over. If your mobile phone supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these travel adapters and additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters this means you can power more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack individual travel chargers. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend searching for a flexible power adapter of this nature online. The travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for India

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the mobile phone, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable power grids. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both India and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to India using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting India. [9] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for any mobile phone in India?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your mobile phone from an Indian power outlet

Instructions showing how to power any mobile phone with an Indian power outlet with type B USB cable with a three pin Europlug Type C power adapter.

  1. To power the mobile phone using an Indian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Indian power outlet. This plug outlet (known as the Type C power outlet [2] or Europlug) is recognised by 2 round holes adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet pins go.
  3. Plug in one end of the type B USB cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note you can usually connect the cable which came with your mobile phone for charging with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port can typically be found either on the bottom or side of the mobile.
  5. Switch on the Indian power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone should indicate that the device is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will typically take. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your mobile phone from an Indian power outlet

Powering any mobile phone with an Indian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter

A guide on how to charge any mobile phone from an Indian power outlet using micro USB Type B connector and a Type D power adapter.

  1. To power the mobile phone from an Indian power outlet you'll need to use a Type D USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin by plugging the Type D USB power plug adapter in the Indian power outlet. This wall outlet (technically known as a Type D power outlet [5]) looks like 3 circular holes forming a triangle configuration.
  3. Plug in one end of the micro USB Type B cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note that you can usually connect the cable which came with your mobile phone for charging with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port is typically located either on the side or bottom of the mobile.
  5. Turn on the Indian power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone will indicate that the device is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will typically take. [AD]
Powering any mobile phone with an Indian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter

How to use a Type M power charger for charging your mobile phone from an Indian power outlet

Using type B USB cable with a three pinned Type M power charger to charge any mobile phone from an Indian power outlet.

  1. In order to power any mobile phone from the Indian power outlet you will need a Type M USB power plug adapter [8] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Plug the Type M USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by three holes forming a triangular configuration for live, neutral and ground pins.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note you can usually connect the cable which came with your mobile phone to charge with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port can typically be found either on the bottom or side of the mobile.
  5. Switch on the Indian power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone should indicate that the device is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will typically take. [AD]
How to use a Type M power charger for charging your mobile phone from an Indian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - India Wikipedia web page
  2. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  3. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  4. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  5. iec.ch - Type D power outlet
  6. Type D USB power plug adapter - Designed for usage in South Asian countries such as India and Nepal, the Type D USB power plug adapter offers a practical solution for converting local 3-prong grounded outlets into USB ports, providing reliable charging for a range of USB devices..
  7. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  8. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  9. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..