Charging the iPhone 4S when visiting France

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 4S with a French power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type C USB charger and charging the iPhone 4S using a Type E USB charger.

French power outlet

Differing combinations of region codes and voltages can all be daunting when planning on visiting another country for the first time traveller. These instructions were specifically written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPhone 4S when staying abroad.When you're visiting France these instructions show how to supply power to the iPhone 4S by using their standard E or C type French 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, please be aware that Type E plug outlets will be used by a majority of French. If you are visiting France from another country ensure that your iPhone 4S can be charged using a 240v supply. If it was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) double check the device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to avoid the device from over-heating when powering up. If you plan to stay somewhere such as Paris or Marseilles read the Wikipedia entry about France [1] for more indepth information. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4S.

Charging the iPhone 4S in France

Can you use the iPhone 4S in France?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 4S to a French power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 4S in France?

If you are travelling to more than one country then the best travel charger for France to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of power outlets that French use (E and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your iPhone 4S can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times by using one of these USB power adapters along with compatibility with certain power hungry devices like tablets. Having a four port adapter means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack multiple power adapters. By only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage while travelling as well as being suitable for charging your iPhone 4S at the airport or on your flight. Due to their versatility these types of chargers 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 e-readers using just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to France we suggest searching for an adaptable travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer - the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for France

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 4S, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. These travel adapters are 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 option for travellers originating from America going to France.
  • 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 the US using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a 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 most travellers from around the world visiting France. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 4S in France?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 4S from a French power outlet

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power charger to recharge your iPhone 4S with a French power outlet.

  1. In order to power your iPhone 4S from a French power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with the iPhone 4S.
  2. Start by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can identify this power supply by the two adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power 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. Switch on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 4S is charging which typically takes roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 4S from a French power outlet

Charging the iPhone 4S from a French power outlet by using a two pinned Type E USB adapter

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type E USB charger to charge your iPhone 4S with a French power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone 4S from a French power outlet you'll need a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is typically supplied with your iPhone 4S.
  2. Start by inserting the Type E USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The sunken circular power supply can be recognised by two circular holes 19mm apart from each other where the twin plug outlet pins slide into with a metal earth pin protruding in the top in a triangular shape.
  3. 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 4S. The iPhone 4S dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 4S.
  4. Switch on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging which should take between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 4S from a French power outlet by using a two pinned Type E USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about France
  2. Apple - official iPhone user guide
  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 E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  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..