Charging your iPhone from a power outlet in Spain

A page showing how to charge your iPhone from a Spanish power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple cable and a Type C USB charger and how to charge the iPhone using a 2 pin Type F power plug.

Spanish power outlet

When organizing a trip it's useful to know in advance if you'll be able to charge all your vital electrical devices such as mobiles and laptops when you get there. Without knowing which power socket is used you may pack the wrong power adaptor, therefore needing to buy a potentially expensive charger when you're there that could be incompatible and damage the device. Complicated region codes and voltages can all be daunting when planning on staying in another country especially if you've never been there before. This guide has been written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPhone abroad.If you're staying in Spain these instructions show charging the iPhone by using the types F or C 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, most Spaniards typically use Type F plugs in their plug outlets. If you are travelling to Spain from a different region please check the iPhone can accept a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v double check the device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to stop the device from being damaged whilst powering it up. If you're planning on taking a trip to somewhere like Madrid or Barcelona please refer to the Wikipedia.org entry about Spain [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 Spain

Can you use the iPhone in Spain?

You can use the iPhone in Spain.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone in Spain?

When travelling to more than one country or bringing along more than your iPhone then the best international travel adapter for Spain is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of wall outlets that Spaniards use (types F and C) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by changing the heads. If your type of iPhone is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these USB travel chargers, plus additional compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

This will also allow you to power more than one device at once 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 as well as being suitable for charging your iPhone at an airport or on the plane. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and smartphones without using up an additional power outlet.

We recommend buying a versatile power adapter like this at your preferred electronics retailer. The travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Spain

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, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies. These power adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Spain and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Spain.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs and offers practically the same functionality as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 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 wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Spain. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone in Spain?

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

A page showing how to charge your iPhone from a Spanish power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple cable and a Type C USB charger.

  1. To power your iPhone using the Spanish power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is typically supplied with your iPhone.
  2. Start by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The wall outlet is identified by 2 circular holes next to each other where the live and neutral pins go.
  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 Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the cellphone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which typically takes around one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Charging the iPhone from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

A page showing how to recharge the iPhone from a Spanish power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple cable and a Type F USB charger.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone using a Spanish power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - usually supplied with the device by Apple.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Spanish power outlet. This recessed round power outlet, also known as a Schuko outlet, can be identified by the two circular holes 19 mm apart from each other and a pair of metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple 30 pin USB 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. Switch on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging taking around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about Spain
  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..