Charging the iPhone 5S when staying in Bolivia

A guide showing how to recharge the iPhone 5S from a Bolivian power outlet using an Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type A power adapter and how to power the iPhone 5S using a Type C USB charger.

Bolivian power outlet

Various combinations of voltages and plug types can often lead to confusion when planning on travelling to another country, especially to the first time traveller. These instructions have been written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPhone 5S when you are travelling to Bolivia.This page contains a step by step guide showing exactly what you'll need to supply power to the iPhone 5S in Bolivia by using their types C or A 115 volt 50Hz power outlets. Power supplies are different regionally therefore we recommend reading the South America and power supplies page for a full list of countries. If your iPhone 5S slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when visiting Bolivia from another country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Electrical devices which originated from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't power up, check that the device is dual voltage (normally marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in Bolivia

Can the iPhone 5S be used in Bolivia?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 5S in Bolivia.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 5S in Bolivia?

When you are travelling with more than your iPhone 5S the best travel charger for Bolivia is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of wall outlets in Bolivia (C and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world just by switching the heads. If your type of iPhone 5S supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these types of travel adapters and additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. This will allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring seperate power adapters for your trip. Only bringing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage while travelling. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of chargers can be used back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and phones and using only a single power outlet.

For those travelling frequently we suggest searching for a versatile power charger of this nature online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Bolivia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable power grids. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 most popular portable option for travellers originating from America visiting Bolivia using type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This gives the same set of features as the BESTEK with just one 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 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 perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Bolivia. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 5S in Bolivia?

Charging the iPhone 5S from a Bolivian power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning connector and a Type A USB adapter to power your iPhone 5S with a Bolivian power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 5S using a Bolivian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - normally already supplied with your iPhone 5S by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Bolivian power outlet. This plug supply (known as the Type A power outlet [3]) is recognised by 2 thin adjacent slots next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in one end of the Lightning power cord into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector can be found at bottom of your iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Bolivian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging taking around one-four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5S from a Bolivian power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

Charging the iPhone 5S from a Bolivian power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

A guide on how to charge the iPhone 5S from a Bolivian power outlet by using a USB Lightning connector and a Europlug Type C USB charger.

  1. To power the iPhone 5S using a Bolivian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - normally already supplied with your iPhone 5S by Apple.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Bolivian power outlet. The plug supply, also known as a Type C power outlet [6] or Europlug, can be identified by the two adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect one end of the Lightning power cord into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5S.
  4. Switch on the Bolivian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which typically takes around one-four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5S from a Bolivian power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about Bolivia
  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 Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  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. 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..