How to charge the iPhone 5 when visiting Italy

Instructions showing how to power your iPhone 5 with an Italian power outlet with a USB Lightning cable and a double pinned Europlug Type C power charger, charging the iPhone 5 using a Type F Schuko USB plug and charging the iPhone 5 using a three pin Type L USB charger

Italian power outlet

Various standards and voltages can often cause confusion when planning to visit another country, especially to the first time traveller. This guide was written to prevent you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 5 when you are going to Italy.When visiting Italy this page contains useful instructions showing you how to charge your iPhone 5 by using the L, C or F type Italian 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, please be aware that Type L power outlets are typically used by a majority of Italians. When travelling to Italy from another region check that the iPhone 5 can be charged using a 240v supply. If your iPhone 5 originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check the iPhone 5 is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overheating when powering up. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5.

Charging the iPhone 5 in Italy

Can the iPhone 5 be used in Italy?

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

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 5 in Italy?

When you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing more than just your iPhone 5 the best international travel charger for Italy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different standards of wall outlets that Italians use (L, C and F) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by changing the plugs over. If your iPhone 5 is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers, and support for more power hungry devices. Unlike other travel adapters this will also allow you to power multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy seperate power adapters on your Italian trip or occupying additional wall sockets. By only packing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage as well as being convenient for recharging your iPhone 5 at an airport or on a plane. Due to their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when you return home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and phones without using up an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling frequently we suggest buying an adaptable travel adapter like this online. The travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Italy

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices via USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is crucial when visiting counties with unstable power grids. These travel adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • 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 North America visiting Italy.
  • 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. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half 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 perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 5 in Italy?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone 5 from an Italian power outlet

Using the Lightning Apple cable with a double pin Europlug Type C power charger to charge the iPhone 5 from an Italian power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPhone 5 using the Italian power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the cable is normally supplied with the device).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Italian power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the 2 round holes adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet pins go.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 Lightning connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 5 under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your cell will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone 5 from an Italian power outlet

Powering the iPhone 5 with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Instructions showing how to power the iPhone 5 with an Italian power outlet with a USB Lightning cable and a double pinned Type F power adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 5 from an Italian power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - normally already supplied with the device.
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. The recessed circular wall supply (known as the Schuko outlet) can be identified by the two adjacent holes, plus a pair of metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in one end of the Lightning charging cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 Lightning connector can be found at bottom of your iPhone 5 under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the cell screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 5 is charging, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5 with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 5 with an Italian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning cable and a three pinned Type L power charger to recharge the iPhone 5 from an Italian power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 5 from the Italian power outlet you will need a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this cable is normally supplied with the device).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type L USB power plug adapter in the Italian power outlet. You can recognise this hexagon shaped plug outlet by three large holes forming a line. Note there are two different variations of Type L wall outlet, one rated at 10 amps and one for 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm thick pins which are spaced 5.5mm apart, and a 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm pins that are spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5 under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPhone will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes roughly one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5 with an Italian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about Italy
  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 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 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. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  9. Type L USB power plug adapter - Earthed Type L USB chargers comprise of three 4mm pins placed in parallel 5.5mm apart used in Italy.
  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..