Charging the iPhone 5S when staying in North Korea

Instructions showing you how to power your iPhone 5S with a North Korean power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple connector with a two pin Type C Europlug power charger, charging the iPhone 5S using a double pin Type A power plug and charging the iPhone 5S using a two pin Type F Schuko power plug

North Korean power outlet

Complicated combinations of voltages and plug types can often lead to confusion when planning on travelling to another country, especially to the first time traveller. This isn't as complex as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of common standards used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the iPhone 5S . This page was written to prevent you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 5S abroad.This page has step-by-step instructions demonstrating what you'll need to power your iPhone 5S when you're travelling to North Korea using their standard Type F, A or C 220 volt 60Hz plug outlets. If you are travelling to North Korea from a different country please ensure your iPhone 5S can accept a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) check the iPhone 5S is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to stop the device from being damaged whilst powering it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in North Korea

Can the iPhone 5S be used in North Korea?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 5S in North Korea.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 5S in North Korea?

If travelling to multiple countries then the best international travel adapter for North Korea to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. North Koreans use three different types of power outlets (F, A and C) and using a power adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the included heads. If your type of iPhone 5S supports Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these travel adapters and additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other travel adapters this will allow you to recharge multiple devices at once without needing to bring individual power adapters on your North Korean trip or using up additional wall outlets. Because you are only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand luggage and convenient for charging your iPhone 5S at the airport or on a flight. Due to their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend searching for an adaptable power adapter like this online. The multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for North Korea

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 5S, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters 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 adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable option for travellers originating from North America visiting North Korea.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a flexible 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 a majority of travellers from around the world visiting North Korea. [10] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 5S in North Korea?

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

Using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type A USB charger to power the iPhone 5S with a North Korean power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 5S using a North Korean power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the cable is normally already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Firstly plug in the Type A USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by two thin adjacent slots where the live and neutral blades go.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB Apple power cable 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 North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your mobile will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging and takes around 1 - 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5S from a North Korean power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from a North Korean power outlet

Instructions showing you how to power your iPhone 5S with a North Korean power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple connector with a two pin Type C Europlug power charger.

  1. To charge the iPhone 5S using a North Korean power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the cable is normally already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. This ungrounded wall outlet is recognised by 2 round adjacent holes next to each other where the pins go.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB charging cable 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 North Korean 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 taking around 1 - 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from a North Korean power outlet

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from a North Korean power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple cable and a double pinned Type F USB adapter to power your iPhone 5S with a North Korean power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPhone 5S from the North Korean power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple usually supply the cable with the iPhone 5S.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the North Korean power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by the two circular holes 19 mm next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins sit, plus thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Apple USB cable into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Turn on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPhone 5S will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 5S is recharging, typically taking roughly 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from a North Korean power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - North Korean 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 F power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..