Charging your iPhone from a power outlet in South Africa

A guide showing how to charge your iPhone with a South African power outlet with the Apple USB 30-pin cable and a 2 pin Type F USB charger, how to power the iPhone using a Type C USB plug and recharging the iPhone using a 3 pin Type M power charger

South African power outlet

Varying different frequencies and standards can often be confusing when planning on staying in a foreign country, especially if you've never been there before. This isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of standards used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to charge the iPhone . This guide has been specifically written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPhone when you're going abroad.If you're staying in South Africa these instructions show charging the iPhone by using the types M, C, F or N 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, a majority of South Africans will normally use Type M plugs in their plug outlets. If you are visiting South Africa from another country make sure that the iPhone can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to avoid the device from being damaged when charging it. If you plan to stay in a tourist destination such as Cape Town or Durban please refer to the Wikipedia page about South Africa [1] for more indepth information.

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 you are running Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

Charging the iPhone in South Africa

Can the iPhone be used in South Africa?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone to a South African power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone in South Africa?

When you are travelling with more than your iPhone or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for South Africa to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. South Africans use four different standards of wall outlets (types M, C, F and N) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the heads over. If your type of iPhone is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times by using one of these travel chargers, plus compatibility with certain power hungry devices. This will allow you to power more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy multiple power adapters or occupying additional wall sockets. Because you are only packing a single international travel charger will also keep the size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage while travelling. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used when you return home so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets without needing an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to South Africa we suggest buying this type of versatile power adapter at an electronics retailer. The multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for visitors of regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting South Africa using 3 pinned type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This offers the same set of features as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet for 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone in South Africa?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone from a South African power outlet

Using the Apple USB 30 pin connector and a 2 pin Type C power charger to charge your iPhone with a South African power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone using a South African power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - usually supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. The wall outlet is recognised by 2 round holes adjacent to each other where the live and neutral pins slide into.
  3. Plug in one end of the 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB power 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the cell screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which should take roughly one to four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone from a South African power outlet

Powering the iPhone with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using a 30-pin Apple connector with a Type F power adapter to power the iPhone from a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone using the South African power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple will usually include this USB cable with the iPhone.
  2. Start by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by the two large adjacent holes next to each other where the live and neutral pins slide into, plus two thin grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains USB charger 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your cell will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging which should take between one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

How to use a Type M power charger for recharging your iPhone from a South African power outlet

Using an Apple USB 30 pin connector with a three pin Type M power adapter to recharge your iPhone with a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone from a South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (typically already included with the device by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type M USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the South African power outlet. You can identify the wall outlet by the three circular holes forming a triangle pattern for live, neutral and ground pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging, typically taking between 1 - 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type M power charger for recharging your iPhone from a South African power outlet

Powering the iPhone with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

Instructions on how to recharge the iPhone from a South African power outlet with the 30-pin Apple cable and a Type N USB charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone using the South African power outlet you'll need a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is typically supplied with your iPhone by Apple.
  2. Start by plugging the Type N USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can recognise the hexagon shaped wall outlet by the three circular holes forming a triangular configuration.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains power adapter 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up taking roughly 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia page about South Africa
  2. Apple - the original iPhone product manual
  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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  7. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  8. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. 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.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 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..