How to charge your iPhone 6 from a power outlet in France

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter to power your iPhone 6 from a French power outlet and how to recharge the iPhone 6 using a double pin Type E USB adapter.

French power outlet

Various standards and voltages can often be daunting when planning on travelling to another country, especially if you've never visited before. This guide was specifically written to prevent visitors needing to worry if they'll be able to power the iPhone 6 abroad.If you are visiting France these useful instructions show charging your iPhone 6 by using the standard types E or C French 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, please be aware Type E wall outlets will be normally used by most French. Most power sockets will vary from country to country therefore please read the power supplies and Europe page for a complete list of countries. If travelling to France from another region check your iPhone 6 can accept a 240 volt supply. If the iPhone 6 originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) double check your device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overloading when charging it. If you plan on staying somewhere such as Paris or Avignon we also recommend reading the wikipedia.org entry about France [1] for more indepth details prior to travelling to the area. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 6.

Charging the iPhone 6 in France

Can you use the iPhone 6 in France?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 6 in France by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 6 in France?

If travelling with more than just your iPhone 6 or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel charger for France is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. French use two different types of plug sockets (types E and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by changing the included plugs. If your iPhone 6 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB travel chargers plus support for more power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other chargers this means you can power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring multiple travel chargers or occupying additional power outlets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage whilst travelling and suitable for charging your iPhone 6 at an airport or on a flight. Because of their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets with only a single wall outlet.

If you travel frequently we suggest buying a versatile travel adapter like this at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for France

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 6, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unreliable or unstable power grids. These travel adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both France and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power adapter for travellers originating from America visiting France using 3 pin type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers 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 perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting France. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 6 in France?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 6 from a French power outlet

A page on how to recharge the iPhone 6 with a French power outlet by using an Apple Lightning cable with a Type C power adapter.

  1. To supply power to your iPhone 6 from the French power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple normally include the cable when you first purchase your iPhone 6).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. This power outlet, sometimes known as the Europlug or Type C power outlet [3], is recognised by the two circular adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 6. The iPhone 6 Lightning connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 6 under the home button.
  4. Switch on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your phone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 6 is recharging and takes roughly 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 6 from a French power outlet

Powering the iPhone 6 with a French power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 6 from a French power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a double pin Type E USB adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 6 using a French power outlet you'll need to use a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include this cable when you first purchase your iPhone 6.
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type E USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the French power outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by the two holes 19mm apart from each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins go along with one metal grounding pin protruding from the top forming a triangle configuration.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 6. The iPhone 6 Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 6 under the home button.
  4. Turn on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the mobile screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes between 1-4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 6 with a French power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about France
  2. Apple - official iPhone user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. 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..
  5. USB to Apple Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  6. iec.ch - Type E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  8. 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..