Charging the iPhone from a power outlet in Portugal

Instructions showing how to power the iPhone with a Portuguese power outlet with the Apple 30-pin connector with a Type C USB charger and how to charge the iPhone using a Type F USB adapter.

Portuguese power outlet

Various combinations of voltages and plug types can often lead to confusion when planning on travelling to another country, especially to the first time traveller. This guide has been specifically written to assist people wanting to power their iPhone when they are abroad.This page contains instructions demonstrating exactly what you'll need to charge the iPhone when you're travelling to Portugal using their standard Type F or C 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, please note Type F wall outlets are normally used by a majority of Portuguese. If you are visiting Portugal from a different region please check that your iPhone can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If your iPhone originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) make sure that the device is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional transformer to prevent the device from over-heating when charging it. If you are planning on visiting a Portuguese place such as Lisbon we also recommend referring to the Portuguese Wikipedia web page [1] for more details.

This page details the iPhone first 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 Portugal

Can you use the iPhone in Portugal?

You can connect the iPhone to a Portuguese power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone in Portugal?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPhone and visiting more than one country then the best travel power adapter for Portugal is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different standards of plug sockets in Portugal (types F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by changing the heads over. If your iPhone can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times by using one of these types of power adapters plus additional compatibility with certain power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other travel adapters this will allow you to recharge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring seperate power adapters for your trip. Only bringing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage while travelling. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when you return home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones, tablets and speakers without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest searching for a flexible power adapter of this nature online. The multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Portugal

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, however 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 is crucial when visiting counties with unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 best selling portable power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Portugal using type B US 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 America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Portugal. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone in Portugal?

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

Using the 30-pin Apple connector with a two pin Type C USB charger to recharge the iPhone from a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone using a Portuguese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - normally already supplied with your iPhone by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Portuguese power outlet. The plug supply (sometimes called a Europlug) can be recognised by the 2 adjacent holes where the pins go.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the 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 Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the cell screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up taking between 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

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

Using the Apple 30-pin connector and a Type F USB adapter to power the iPhone with a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPhone from a Portuguese power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], the cable is normally supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Portuguese power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two large round holes 19 mm apart from each other for live and neutral pins and a pair of two grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in one end of the cable into the bottom of the USB mains 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 Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging, typically taking between 60-240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Portuguese Wikipedia web page
  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. 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..