How to charge the iPhone 5S from a power outlet in China

Instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 5S from a Chinese power outlet with the Lightning Apple cable with a Type A USB adapter, how to recharge the iPhone 5S using a two pinned Europlug Type C power plug and recharging the iPhone 5S using a Type I power plug

Chinese power outlet

If packing for a holiday it is helpful to know if you can charge any essential devices when you arrive. By not knowing which wall socket to expect you may bring the wrong power adaptor, meaning needing to borrow a suitable adaptor on arrival. Varying complicated standards and plugs can often cause confusion when planning on travelling to a different country especially if you've never been there before. This guide was written to assist visitors wanting to charge the iPhone 5S when visiting abroad.If you're going to China this page has instructions showing how to supply power to your iPhone 5S by using the standard Type I, A or C 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, most Chinese normally use the Type I power outlets. Most power sockets change depending on which area you travelling to therefore please read our Wikiconnections global power supplies page where you'll find a complete list showing destinations. If you are travelling to China from a different country make sure the iPhone 5S can be charged using a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts make sure your device is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to stop the device from overheating whilst powering it up. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in China

Can you use the iPhone 5S in China?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 5S in China by using a power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the iPhone 5S in China?

When you are travelling with more than just your iPhone 5S and visiting more than one country then the best international travel charger for China is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Chinese use three different standards of plug sockets (types I, A and C) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C. As these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by changing the plugs over. If your model of iPhone 5S supports Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers along with additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets.

Having a 4 port adapter will allow you to recharge more than one device at once without needing to pack individual travel adapters on your Chinese trip. Because you are only needing to pack a single travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage whilst travelling. Due to their space saving versatility these types of power adapters can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets and smartphones with only a single wall outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of versatile travel charger at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for China

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 5S, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 compact power adapter for travellers originating from America visiting China.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also 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 and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting China. [10] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPhone 5S in China?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from a Chinese power outlet

Using the Lightning Apple cable with a Type A power adapter to charge your iPhone 5S from a Chinese power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your iPhone 5S using a Chinese power outlet you will need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally already supplied with the device).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter into the wall outlet. The power supply (technically called a Type A power outlet [3]) is recognised by the 2 slots next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet blades sit.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Lightning charging cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your mobile will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from a Chinese power outlet

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Chinese power outlet

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a 2 pinned Type C power adapter to charge the iPhone 5S from a Chinese power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your iPhone 5S using a Chinese power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally supplied with the device).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by 2 circular holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Lightning charging cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your mobile will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5S is powering up, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Chinese power outlet

Powering the iPhone 5S with a Chinese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

A step-by-step guide showing how to recharge your iPhone 5S from a Chinese power outlet using a Lightning cable and a three pin Type I USB adapter.

  1. In order to power the iPhone 5S using the Chinese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type I USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should usually include the USB cable when you first purchase your iPhone 5S).
  2. First plug the Type I USB power plug adapter in the Chinese power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the 3 slots for the live, neutral and ground. Note that the live and neutral blades are reversed compared to Argentinian plug outlets therefore please check that your Type I travel adaptor is compatible in China.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. You can find the Lightning connector on your iPhone 5S situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5S.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging and takes roughly 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5S with a Chinese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - China Wikipedia web page
  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. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  9. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  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..