Charging the iPhone 5 when staying in Bolivia

A guide showing how to recharge the iPhone 5 from a Bolivian power outlet using an Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type A power adapter and charging the iPhone 5 using a two pin Europlug Type C power charger.

Bolivian power outlet

Various combinations of voltages and plug types can often lead to confusion when planning on visiting 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 being used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the iPhone 5 in Bolivia. If visiting Bolivia the following useful instructions show powering the iPhone 5 using the standard C or A type 115 volt 50Hz wall outlets. You'll find that power sockets are different depending on which region you travelling to so we recommend that you read our Wikiconnections global power supplies list for a full list of destinations. If the iPhone 5 doesn't power up or recharges slowly when travelling to Bolivia from a different region check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originate from another country which use a higher voltage such as 240 volts may take longer to charge or won't turn on, check that your device is a dual voltage device (usually indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5.

Charging the iPhone 5 in Bolivia

Can you use the iPhone 5 in Bolivia?

You can connect the iPhone 5 to a Bolivian power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 5 in Bolivia?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPhone 5 and visiting multiple countries then the best travel power adapter for Bolivia is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Bolivians use two different standards of plug sockets (types C and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the included plugs over. If your iPhone 5 supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these USB power chargers, and compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Having a 4 port adapter means you can power more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack individual travel chargers or occupying additional power sockets. By only needing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones, tablets and speakers without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest searching for a versatile power charger of this nature online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Bolivia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power grids. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Bolivia 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 option for travellers originating from North America visiting Bolivia.
  • 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 and is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 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 Bolivia. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 5 in Bolivia?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from a Bolivian power outlet

A guide showing how to recharge the iPhone 5 from a Bolivian power outlet using an Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type A power adapter.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone 5 using the Bolivian power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - typically already included with your iPhone 5 by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Bolivian power outlet. This unearthed plug outlet (called the Type A power outlet [3]) can be recognised by the 2 slots adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet pins sit.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5.
  4. Turn on the Bolivian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPhone will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging which takes around one-four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from a Bolivian power outlet

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

Using an Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type C USB adapter to power the iPhone 5 with a Bolivian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone 5 using the Bolivian power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - normally already supplied with your iPhone 5 by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Bolivian power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by two circular holes next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5.
  4. Turn on the Bolivian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your cellphone will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging which should take around one-four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from a Bolivian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about Bolivia
  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. 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..