Charging the iPhone when planning a trip to Bhutan

A page showing how to recharge your iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet with the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a Type C USB charger, powering the iPhone using a 3 pin Type G power adapter and powering the iPhone using a three pin Type D power adapter

Bhutanese power outlet

Varying complicated voltages and region codes can all lead to confusion when planning to travel to a new country, especially to the first time traveller. This guide has been written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPhone when staying in Bhutan.When you're visiting Bhutan these instructions show powering the iPhone by using their standard G, C, D, F or M type Bhutanese 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets. When travelling to Bhutan from a different country please check the iPhone can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your iPhone is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to avoid the device from overheating during charging. If you're planning to visit a destination such as Thimphu we recommend referring to the Wikipedia entry about Bhutan [1] for more details.

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 that you are running Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

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Charging the iPhone in Bhutan

Can you use the iPhone in Bhutan?

You can use the iPhone in Bhutan by using a power adaptor.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone in Bhutan?

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPhone the best international travel adapter for Bhutan is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Bhutanese use five different types of power outlets (types G, C, D, F and M) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types C and G.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the included plugs over. If your type of iPhone is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, and compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

Unlike other adapters this will allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to pack multiple power adapters for your Bhutanese trip. By only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage whilst travelling as well as being suitable for charging your iPhone 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 be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and e-readers with just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to different destinations we recommend buying an adaptable travel charger like this online; the travel charger illustrated below is the universal multi-device USB wall charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Bhutan

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices using USB, however for visitors 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 useful when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Bhutan 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 North America visiting Bhutan using type B American 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 functionality as the BESTEK with 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 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 a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Bhutan. [14] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone in Bhutan?

How to use a Type G power charger for charging your iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet

A page showing how to charge your iPhone with a Bhutanese power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type G USB charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet you'll need a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - usually supplied with your iPhone.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type G USB power plug adapter into the Bhutanese power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the three rectangular slots containing shutters forming a triangle pattern.
  3. Then 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. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Turn on the Bhutanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up which typically takes roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type G power charger for charging your iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet

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

A page showing how to charge your iPhone with a Bhutanese power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable with a Type C USB charger.

  1. To charge your iPhone from the Bhutanese power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple usually include this USB cable with the iPhone).
  2. Start by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Bhutanese power outlet. You can identify the power outlet 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. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the Bhutanese 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]
Powering the iPhone with a Bhutanese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type D power charger for recharging your iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet

A page showing how to charge your iPhone with a Bhutanese power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type D USB charger.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone using the Bhutanese power outlet you will need to buy a Type D USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with the iPhone.
  2. Start by taking the Type D USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. The power outlet, technically called the Type D power outlet [8], can be identified by the 3 circular holes in a triangle pattern.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into 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 Bhutanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up taking roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type D power charger for recharging your iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet

Using the 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type F power adapter to recharge your iPhone with a Bhutanese power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone using the Bhutanese power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple typically supply the cable with the iPhone).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The circular wall outlet can be recognised by two circular holes 19 mm apart from each other where the two plug outlet pins slide into along with two metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB charger 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 Bhutanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which should take roughly 1 - 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet

Charging the iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone with a Bhutanese power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 3 pin Type M USB charger.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet you'll need a Type M USB power plug adapter [13] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPhone).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type M USB power plug adapter in the Bhutanese power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the three round holes in a triangular shape.
  3. Then connect one end of the 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. Turn on the Bhutanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your cell will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up and takes around one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone from a Bhutanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about Bhutan
  2. Apple - the original iPhone product manual
  3. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
  4. Type G USB power plug adapter - Suitable for use in England, Ireland, and Scotland, a grounded three pin Type G adapter turns UK electrical power outlets into USB ports for reliable charging..
  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 C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type D power outlet
  9. Type D USB power plug adapter - Designed for usage in South Asian countries such as India and Nepal, the Type D USB power plug adapter offers a practical solution for converting local 3-prong grounded outlets into USB ports, providing reliable charging for a range of USB devices..
  10. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  11. 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..
  12. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  13. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  14. Universal multi-device USB wall charger - A universal multi-device USB wall charger features USB PD and standard ports for fast charging simultaneous. These includes interchangeable international plug adapters making it ideal for travel and certified for safety to protect against current and heat.