How to charge your iPhone 4S from a power outlet in Germany

Instructions on how to recharge your iPhone 4S from a German power outlet with an Apple USB 30-pin cable with a Type C power charger and powering the iPhone 4S using a 2 pinned Type F USB adapter.

German power outlet

Various voltages and standards can all be confusing when planning to travel to a different country to the first time traveller. However this isn't as complicated as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of sockets used in the world this guide shows exactly what to pick up in advance to charge your iPhone 4S in Germany. This page has been specifically written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 4S when abroad.This guide shows how to power the iPhone 4S when staying in Germany by using the F or C type 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, most Germans will typically use the Type F plug outlets. Most power supplies will change from country to country so please read the Wiki Connections global power supplies page for a full list showing powering devices in different destinations. If visiting Germany from a different region check your iPhone 4S can be used with a 240v supply. If your iPhone 4S originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts ensure that the iPhone 4S is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to stop the device from overheating when powering up. If you intend on staying somewhere like Berlin we also recommend referring to the wikipedia entry about Germany [1] for more indepth details prior to the location. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4S.

Charging the iPhone 4S in Germany

Can you use the iPhone 4S in Germany?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 4S in Germany.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 4S in Germany?

If travelling with more than your iPhone 4S then the best travel charger for Germany is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Germans use two different standards of wall outlets (F and C) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by changing the supplied heads over. If your model of iPhone 4S supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, and support for certain power demanding devices. This means you can power multiple devices at once without needing to buy individual travel adapters on your trip to Germany. Because you are only packing a single international USB travel charger will also keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage as well as being convenient for recharging your iPhone 4S at the airport or on the plane. Because of their flexibility these types of adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, phones and speakers without needing an additional power outlet.

If you travel frequently we recommend buying this type of flexible power charger online, the multipurpose power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Germany

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be necessary when visiting counties with unreliable power grids. These travel converters are 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 best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Germany 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 Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and gives the same functionality as the BESTEK with just 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Germany. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 4S in Germany?

Charging the iPhone 4S from a German power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Instructions on how to recharge your iPhone 4S from a German power outlet with an Apple USB 30-pin cable with a Type C power charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 4S using a German power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple should usually supply this cable with your iPhone 4S.
  2. Begin by taking the Type C USB power adapter and plugging it into the German power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 round adjacent holes.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 4S.
  4. Switch on the German 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 phone is charging which typically takes roughly 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 4S from a German power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 4S with a German power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using an Apple 30 pin cable with a 2 pinned Type F power charger to power your iPhone 4S from a German power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your iPhone 4S using a German power outlet you will need a Type F USB power adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple typically supply this cable when you first purchase the iPhone 4S.
  2. Start by inserting the Type F USB power adapter in the German power outlet. The recessed circular plug outlet (sometimes known as the Type F power outlet [6]) can be identified by two large circular holes 19 mm adjacent to each other, plus a pair of two thin grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 4S.
  4. Turn on the German power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 4S will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up, typically taking around one to four hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4S with a German power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia entry about Germany
  2. Apple - official iPhone user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C USB power adapter - European Type C USB chargers are unearthed and have two 4mm rounded pins spaced 19mm apart.
  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 adapter - Type F USB chargers are earthed using two clips at the top and bottom with two rounded 4.8mm pins set 19mm apart.
  8. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A universal USB charger capable of charging up to 4 USB devices with swappable international adapters.