How to charge your iPhone 3GS from a power outlet in Afghanistan

Instructions on how to recharge your iPhone 3GS from an Afghan power outlet using the 30 pin Apple cable with a Type C power charger and charging the iPhone 3GS using a Type F power plug.

Afghan power outlet

Various standards and plugs can often be daunting when planning on staying in another country especially if you've never visited before. This guide was specifically written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 3GS when you're travelling abroad.When you're staying in Afghanistan this page contains instructions showing how to power the iPhone 3GS using their Type F or C Afghan 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets. If travelling to Afghanistan from another country please make sure that your iPhone 3GS can be used with a 240v supply. If your iPhone 3GS originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts make sure your device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to prevent the device from over-heating when powering up. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Afghanistan

Can the iPhone 3GS be used in Afghanistan?

You can connect the iPhone 3GS to an Afghan power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Afghanistan?

When you are travelling to multiple countries the best travel power adapter for Afghanistan to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Afghans use two different standards of wall outlets (F and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by changing the supplied heads over. If your iPhone 3GS is compatible with Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these types of USB travel adapters plus support for certain power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel chargers having a four port charger means you can power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring multiple travel chargers for your Afghan trip or occupying additional power outlets. Because you are only packing a single international USB travel charger will also keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage whilst travelling and convenient for charging your iPhone 3GS at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of adapters can be used when you return home as well as abroad so when you're not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones, tablets and e-readers without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest buying a flexible power charger similar to this online, the power charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Afghanistan

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 3GS, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental 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 best selling portable option for travellers originating from North America going to Afghanistan.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise 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 is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Afghanistan. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Afghanistan?

Powering the iPhone 3GS with an Afghan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using the Apple 30 pin cable and a Type C USB adapter to charge the iPhone 3GS from an Afghan power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your iPhone 3GS using an Afghan power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will normally include the cable when you first purchase your iPhone 3GS.
  2. Begin by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Afghan power outlet. This unearthed wall supply (sometimes called a Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug) is recognised by the two circular adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Turn on the Afghan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is powering up which typically takes between 1-4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with an Afghan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 3GS with an Afghan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

A guide on how to power your iPhone 3GS with an Afghan power outlet by using the Apple 30 pin cable and a Type F USB adapter.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone 3GS using an Afghan power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple normally supply this cable with your iPhone 3GS.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. You can recognise this wall supply by two large circular adjacent holes next to each other along with a pair of two thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Turn on the Afghan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone 3GS will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up, typically taking roughly 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with an Afghan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Afghanistan Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS user guide
  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..