How to charge your iPhone 4S from a power outlet in America

Using a 30 pin Apple connector with a 2 pinned Type A USB charger to power your iPhone 4S from an American power outlet and how to recharge the iPhone 4S using a three pin Type B USB adapter.

American power outlet

Various standards and plugs can often be daunting when planning on visiting another country, especially if you've never visited before. This page has simple instructions demonstrating exactly how to charge your iPhone 4S when you're travelling to America using their B or A type 120 volt 60Hz plug outlets, most Americans use Type B wall outlets. Power sources differ depending on which area you visiting therefore please read the Wiki Connections world power supplies list where you'll find a complete list of regions and countries. If your iPhone 4S charges slowly or does not power up when you are travelling to America from a different country check that it is compatible with a 120 volt power supply. Devices which originate from a different country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts may take longer to charge or won't power up, check your device is dual voltage (usually marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4S.

Charging the iPhone 4S in America

Can the iPhone 4S be used in America?

You can connect the iPhone 4S to an American power outlet.

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

If travelling to multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for America is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Americans use two different types of plug sockets (B and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type A.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by changing the supplied heads over. If your iPhone 4S is compatible with Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these travel adapters, along with additional support for certain power demanding devices. Having a four port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack seperate power chargers on your trip to America. Only needing to pack a single international travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand luggage as well as being on hand for charging your iPhone 4S at an airport or on the plane. Because of their flexibility these types of adapters can be used back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets and phones without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest buying a versatile travel adapter like this at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for America

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both America and over 150 countries around the world:

  • 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 compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting America using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more generous 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting America. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 4S in America?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 4S from an American power outlet

Using a 30 pin Apple connector and a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter to power your iPhone 4S from an American power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 4S from the American power outlet you will need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple normally include this cable with your iPhone 4S).
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter in the American power outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by 2 adjacent slots where the twin plug outlet pins go.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the bottom of the USB power 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 American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your mobile will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 4S is recharging which typically takes roughly one to four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 4S from an American power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 4S from an American power outlet

Instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 4S from an American power outlet with a USB 30 pin Apple connector and a three pinned Type B USB adapter.

  1. To power the iPhone 4S from the American power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple typically supply this cable with your iPhone 4S.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the American power outlet. The power supply, sometimes called the Type B power outlet [6], can be identified by 2 slots parallel to each other for live and neutral blades with a single hole below for the grounded pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the cable into the power 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. Turn on the American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the cellphone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is powering up which should take between one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 4S from an American power outlet

See also

  1. Visittheusa - Visit The USA
  2. Apple - official iPhone user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device 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 B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  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..