How to charge the iPhone 4 in South Africa

A step-by-step guide showing you how to recharge the iPhone 4 from a South African power outlet with the 30 pin Apple connector with a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter, charging the iPhone 4 using a 2 pinned Type C power charger and how to recharge the iPhone 4 using a Type F power plug

South African power outlet

Various region codes and plug types can all cause confusion when planning on staying in another country, especially if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of common standards used in the world this guide shows exactly what to buy in advance to charge your iPhone 4 in South Africa. This page has been specifically written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 4 when South Africa.The following step by step instructions tells you what you'll need to supply power to your iPhone 4 when you're travelling to South Africa by using the standard Type M, C, F or N 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, a majority of South Africans use Type M plug outlets. When you are travelling to South Africa from a different country check your iPhone 4 can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v make sure the iPhone 4 is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to prevent the device from being damaged whilst powering it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4.

Charging the iPhone 4 in South Africa

Can the iPhone 4 be used in South Africa?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 4 in South Africa.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 4 in South Africa?

When you are travelling to multiple countries the best travel charger for South Africa is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four different standards of power outlets in South Africa (types M, C, F and N) and using a power charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa just by changing the supplied heads over. If your iPhone 4 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these types of USB travel adapters, along with additional compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets. Having a four port charger means you can charge more than one device at the same time without needing to bring multiple travel adapters on your trip to South Africa. Because you are only bringing a single travel charger will keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage whilst travelling. Due to their flexibility these types of adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and smartphones with only a single plug socket.

We suggest buying this type of versatile travel adapter online. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

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 4, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unstable power grids. These power adapters come supplied 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 international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting South Africa.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs. This offers almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for 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 most travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 4 in South Africa?

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

Using an Apple 30 pin cable with a 2 pinned Type C USB adapter to recharge your iPhone 4 from a South African power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the iPhone 4 from the South African power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally included with your device).
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. The plug outlet can be identified by two circular adjacent holes.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 4 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 4 is recharging and takes between one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4 with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Charging the iPhone 4 from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using a USB 30-pin cable and a Type F power charger to power your iPhone 4 from a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 4 from the South African power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this cable is typically included with your device).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. The recessed circular plug outlet can be identified by two large circular adjacent holes along with two thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect 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 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the cellphone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is powering up, typically taking around 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 4 from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Charging the iPhone 4 from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

A page on how to power your iPhone 4 from a South African power outlet with a USB 30-pin cable with a Type M power charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone 4 using a South African power outlet you will need a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple should usually supply this cable when you first purchase the iPhone 4.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type M USB power plug adapter in the power supply. This wall supply (called a Type M power outlet [8]) can be identified by the three large circular holes in a triangle configuration.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your cell will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 4 is recharging and takes between 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 4 from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 4 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

Instructions on how to power your iPhone 4 from a South African power outlet with an Apple 30 pin cable with a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter.

  1. In order to charge the iPhone 4 from the South African power outlet you'll need to use a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (typically included with your device).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type N USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. The flattened hexagon shaped plug outlet (sometimes called a Type N power outlet [10]) looks like three large round holes forming a flattened triangular pattern.
  3. Connect one end of the power cord into the power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your phone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging which should take roughly 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org page about South Africa
  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. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 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..