How to charge the iPhone when staying in Cuba

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge the iPhone with a Cuban power outlet by using a USB 30-pin Apple connector and a Type C power charger, how to recharge the iPhone using a Type A power plug and how to recharge the iPhone using a Type B power plug

Cuban power outlet

When planning a trip to Cuba it's helpful to know if you'll be able to power your essential gadgets like mobile phones or laptops when you're there. However without knowing which power socket is being used in Cuba you are likely to bring the wrong power adaptor, therefore leaving you having to buy or borrow a suitable charger when you arrive. Varying complicated combinations of frequencies and region codes can often be confusing when planning to travel to a different country if you've never visited before. With only a handful of different types of common standards used in the world this guide shows exactly what to buy in advance to charge your iPhone in Cuba. If you are going to travel to Cuba these useful instructions show how to supply power to the iPhone using their C, A or B type 110 volt 60Hz power outlets, Type C power outlets are normally used by most Cubans. If the iPhone doesn't power up or recharges slowly when you are travelling to Cuba from a different region please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally devices which originate from a different country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts may take longer to charge or won't power up, so check that the iPhone is a dual voltage device (normally marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use.

This page details the iPhone 1st generation, the original iPhone is missing some features which have since been introduced to more recent iPhones. Visit the Apple category page for the full range of Apple iPhones. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

Charging the iPhone in Cuba

Can the iPhone be used in Cuba?

You can connect the iPhone to a Cuban power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone in Cuba?

When you are travelling with more than just your iPhone or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for Cuba to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Cubans use three different types of plug sockets (C, A and B) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world just by changing the included heads over. If your model of iPhone can support Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, and additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices. Having a four port charger means you can power multiple devices at once without needing to pack seperate power chargers or occupying additional power outlets. By only needing to pack a single international USB travel charger will also keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage whilst travelling. Due to their flexibility these types of adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and speakers without needing an additional wall outlet.

If you travel on a regular basis we recommend searching for this type of versatile travel adapter online, the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 option for travellers originating from North America going to Cuba using 3 pinned type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise 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 and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone in Cuba?

Charging the iPhone from a Cuban power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

Using a USB 30 pin Apple connector and a Type A power charger to power your iPhone from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the iPhone from the Cuban power outlet you'll need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Cuban power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 slots next to each other where the twin blades slide into.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your cell will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging taking between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone from a Cuban power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPhone from a Cuban power outlet

Using a USB 30 pin Apple connector and a Type B power charger to power your iPhone from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone from the Cuban power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter in the Cuban power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 slots where the blades slide into with a semicircle shaped hole below for the slightly longer earthed pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your cell will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging taking between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPhone from a Cuban power outlet

Powering the iPhone with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge the iPhone with a Cuban power outlet by using a USB 30-pin Apple connector and a Type C power charger.

  1. In order to charge the iPhone from the Cuban power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. This wall supply (called a Europlug or Type C power outlet [8]) can be recognised by the two circular holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple 30 pin cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging and takes between one-four hours to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuban Wiki page
  2. Apple - the original iPhone product manual
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  5. USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. 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..
  10. 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..