Charging the iPhone 4S when planning a trip to Portugal

Instructions showing you how to power the iPhone 4S from a Portuguese power outlet with a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power adapter and how to power the iPhone 4S using a 2 pin Type F power adapter.

Portuguese power outlet

If planning a vacation it's useful to know if you can use any common electronics when you arrive. By not knowing which plug socket is used you could pack the wrong power charger, leaving you having to purchase a potentially expensive charger when you need to recharge which might not be compatible and cause problems with your iPhone 4S. Various combinations of frequencies and standards can all be daunting when planning to stay in another country especially for the first time traveller. This page was written to stop people worrying if they'll be able to charge the iPhone 4S when they're going abroad.When you are planning a holiday to Portugal these useful instructions show how to supply power to the iPhone 4S using the Type F or C 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, you will discover a majority of Portuguese typically use Type F plugs in their wall outlets. Most power changes regionally therefore we suggest reading the Europe page for a complete list of regions and countries. When travelling to Portugal from a different country please check the iPhone 4S can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your iPhone 4S was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts double check the device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to avoid the device from overloading whilst powering it up. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4S.

Charging the iPhone 4S in Portugal

Can you use the iPhone 4S in Portugal?

You can use the iPhone 4S in Portugal.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 4S in Portugal?

If you are travelling with more than your iPhone 4S or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for Portugal is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of power outlets that Portuguese use (F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the included heads. If your iPhone 4S can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this will allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual power adapters for your Portuguese trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only needing a single USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used when you return home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and e-readers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying an adaptable travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Portugal

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, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Portugal 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 Portugal using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs and offers practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Portugal. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 4S in Portugal?

Powering the iPhone 4S with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Instructions showing you how to power the iPhone 4S from a Portuguese power outlet with a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power adapter.

  1. To charge the iPhone 4S from a Portuguese 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 device by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Portuguese power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two holes adjacent to each other.
  3. Plug in 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. Turn on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your cellphone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging which typically takes roughly 1 - 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4S with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 4S from a Portuguese power outlet

Using a 30-pin Apple cable with a Type F USB charger to recharge your iPhone 4S with a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone 4S using a Portuguese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Portuguese power outlet. This recessed round plug supply, sometimes called the Schuko outlet, can be identified by the two 4.8mm round holes 19 mm next to each other where the twin pins slide into and a pair of thin grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the bottom of the USB 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 Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging which typically takes roughly one to four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 4S from a Portuguese power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Portugal page on Wikipedia
  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 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..