Charging the iPhone when planning a trip to India

Instructions showing you how to power the iPhone from an Indian power outlet with the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a Type D USB charger, recharging the iPhone using a 2 pin Type C power charger and recharging the iPhone using a 3 pin Type M power adapter

Indian power outlet

Varying different voltages and region codes can often be daunting when planning to stay in a foreign country especially if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of plug sockets used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to power your iPhone . When you are planning a holiday to India this page contains useful instructions showing charging the iPhone by using their standard D, C or M type Indian 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, most Indians will normally use the Type D plug outlets. You will find power is different regionally therefore we suggest reading the Asia page for a complete list of regions and countries. When travelling to India from a different country please check the iPhone can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your iPhone 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 power transformer to avoid the device from over-heating whilst powering it up.

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 India

Can you use the iPhone in India?

You can use the iPhone in India.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone in India?

When travelling with more than just your iPhone the best international travel adapter for India is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different types of power outlets that Indians use (D, C and M) 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 will mean you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the included heads. If your iPhone 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. Having a four port adapter means you can charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to pack multiple power adapters for your Indian 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 and convenient for recharging your iPhone at an airport or on the flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying this type of versatile power charger online; the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for India

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge 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 is useful for visitors of counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. 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 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international 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 India.
  • 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 much cheaper alternative to 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 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 India. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone in India?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone from an Indian power outlet

Using a 30-pin Apple cable with a Type C USB charger to charge your iPhone with an Indian power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone from an Indian power outlet you'll need to buy 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 Indian 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 mains 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 Indian 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 powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone from an Indian power outlet

How to use a Type D power charger for charging your iPhone from an Indian power outlet

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPhone from an Indian power outlet with a 30-pin Apple cable and a 3 pin Type D power adapter.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone using the Indian power outlet you will need to use a Type D USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], typically supplied with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by taking the Type D USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can recognise this plug supply by the three holes forming a triangle pattern.
  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. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the Indian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that 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, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type D power charger for charging your iPhone from an Indian power outlet

Powering the iPhone with an Indian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Instructions showing you how to power the iPhone from an Indian power outlet with a 30-pin Apple cable and a 3 pin Type M power charger.

  1. To charge the iPhone from an Indian power outlet you'll need a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will typically include this USB cable with the iPhone).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type M USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The wall outlet (technically called the Type M power outlet [8]) can be recognised by 3 large circular holes forming a triangle shape for live, neutral and ground 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. Turn on the Indian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that 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, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with an Indian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about India
  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 D power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. 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.
  10. 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..