How to charge the iPhone when staying in South Korea

Using the 30 pin Apple connector and a Type C power charger to recharge your iPhone from a South Korean power outlet and charging the iPhone using a 2 pinned Type F USB adapter.

South Korean power outlet

Complicated region codes and plugs can often be confusing when planning to visit a different country if you've never visited before. When visiting South Korea the following instructions show charging your iPhone using their F or C type 220 volt 60Hz power outlets, Type F power outlets are used by most South Koreans. When you are visiting South Korea from a different country double check your iPhone can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) double check your device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to stop the device from overheating when powering up.

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 have installed Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

Charging the iPhone in South Korea

Can the iPhone be used in South Korea?

You can connect the iPhone to a South Korean power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the iPhone in South Korea?

If travelling to more than one country the best travel charger for South Korea is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. South Koreans use two different types of plug sockets (F and C) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by switching the plugs. If your iPhone is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these power chargers plus support for certain power demanding devices. Having a four port charger means you can power multiple devices at once without needing to pack seperate power chargers. Because you are only bringing a single travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage. Due to their flexibility these types of adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and speakers with only a single plug socket.

We suggest buying an adaptable power charger similar to this at an electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries.

Alternative travel adapter for South Korea

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both South Korea 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 best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting South Korea.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting South Korea. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPhone in South Korea?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone from a South Korean power outlet

Using the 30 pin Apple connector and a Type C power charger to recharge your iPhone from a South Korean power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone using a South Korean power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 adjacent holes. Type C electrical sockets in South Korea might not be as common as Type F sockets.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the USB power 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 South Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging and takes between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone from a South Korean power outlet

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone from a South Korean power outlet

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge the iPhone with a South Korean power outlet by using a USB 30-pin cable with a 2 pinned Type F USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone using a South Korean power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this power supply by two 4.8mm round adjacent holes where the twin pins slide into along with grounding clips on the top and bottom. These are the most common outlets found in South Korea.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB 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 South Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your cell screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is charging which should take roughly one to four hours to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone from a South Korean power outlet

See also

  1. Visitkorea - Korea Tourism Organization site
  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 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..