Charging your iPhone 4S from a power outlet in Spain

Using an Apple USB 30 pin connector with a two pin Type C power adapter to recharge your iPhone 4S with a Spanish power outlet and recharging the iPhone 4S using a 2 pin Type F power charger.

Spanish power outlet

Various combinations of voltages and region codes can all lead to confusion when planning to travel to another country for the first time traveller. These instructions have been specifically written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 4S when staying in Spain.This page contains instructions telling you what you'll need to power your iPhone 4S when staying in Spain using their standard F or C type Spanish 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, Type F wall outlets are normally used by a majority of Spaniards. When travelling to Spain from a different country please make sure that your iPhone 4S can be charged using a 240v supply. If it was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check the device is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to avoid the device from overheating during charging. If you're planning on taking a trip to a city like Madrid or Alicante please refer to the Spanish country wikipedia page [1] for more indepth information. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4S.

Charging the iPhone 4S in Spain

Can the iPhone 4S be used in Spain?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 4S to a Spanish power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 4S in Spain?

When travelling to more than one country or bringing more than your iPhone 4S then the best travel adapter for Spain is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of wall outlets that Spaniards use (F and C) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world just by switching the included heads. If your iPhone 4S supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these USB power adapters plus additional support for more power demanding devices.

Having a four port adapter means you can recharge more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel adapters for your Spanish trip. By only needing a single USB travel charger will keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage. Because of their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and smartphones without needing an additional plug socket.

If you travel on a regular basis we suggest searching for this type of flexible travel adapter online; the multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Spain

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from America going to Spain.
  • 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 originating from America using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to 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 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 a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Spain. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 4S in Spain?

Powering the iPhone 4S with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using an Apple USB 30 pin connector with a two pin Type C power adapter to recharge your iPhone 4S with a Spanish power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone 4S using the Spanish 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 usually include this USB cable with the iPhone 4S.
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The wall outlet is identified by the 2 circular holes next to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 4S.
  4. Turn on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging, typically taking between 1 - 4 hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4S with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 4S with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

A page showing how to recharge the iPhone 4S from a Spanish power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple cable and a Type F USB charger.

  1. To charge your iPhone 4S using the Spanish power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple should typically include this USB cable with the iPhone 4S).
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. The circular power supply can be recognised by two 4.8mm holes 19 mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral along with two metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 4S.
  4. Switch on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 4S screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 4S is powering up and takes roughly 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4S with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Spanish country wikipedia page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 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..