Charging your iPhone 6 from a power outlet in South Africa

A step by step guide showing how to power the iPhone 6 with a South African power outlet using an Apple USB Lightning connector with a three pin Type M power adapter, how to charge the iPhone 6 using a Type C Europlug power adapter and charging the iPhone 6 using a double pinned Type F USB charger

South African power outlet

Varying different standards and sockets can often be daunting when planning to travel to a new country especially for the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of standards being used in the world this article tells you exactly what you'll need in advance to charge the iPhone 6 in South Africa. This page was written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPhone 6 abroad.When you're travelling to South Africa the following useful instructions show how to charge the iPhone 6 by using their types M, C, F or N 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, Type M wall outlets are normally used by a majority of South Africans. Most power will change depending on which region you are in so we suggest reading the power supplies and Africa page for a full list of countries. When visiting South Africa from another region ensure that your iPhone 6 can accept a 240 volt supply. If your iPhone 6 originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure your device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from being damaged whilst powering it up. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 6.

Charging the iPhone 6 in South Africa

Can you use the iPhone 6 in South Africa?

You can use the iPhone 6 in South Africa.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 6 in South Africa?

If travelling to more than one country or bringing more than your iPhone 6 then the best international travel adapter for South Africa is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. South Africans use four different types of power outlets (M, C, F and N) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world just by changing the heads. If your type of iPhone 6 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these types of travel chargers along with support for more power demanding devices like tablets.

This means you can charge more than one device at once without needing to buy individual power adapters or occupying additional power sockets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used when you return home so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers with just a single wall outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of flexible travel adapter online. The multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 6, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America going to South Africa.
  • 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 America using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 6 in South Africa?

Powering the iPhone 6 with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using an Apple USB Lightning connector with a two pin Type C power adapter to power the iPhone 6 with a South African power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 6 using the South African 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 already included with your iPhone 6.
  2. Plug the Type C USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. This ungrounded power outlet is identified by two adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Connect one end of the USB power cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 6. The iPhone 6 Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 6 under the home button.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your cellphone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 6 is charging, typically taking between 1 to 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 6 with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 6 from a South African power outlet

Instructions on how to power the iPhone 6 from a South African power outlet using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a double pinned Type F USB charger.

  1. In order to power the iPhone 6 from a South African power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally already included with the iPhone 6).
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the South African power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by two large adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral and a pair of thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Apple charging cord into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 6. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 6 situated at the bottom of the iPhone 6.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is charging and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 6 from a South African power outlet

How to use a Type M power charger for charging your iPhone 6 from a South African power outlet

Using a USB Lightning Apple cable and a Type M USB adapter to power the iPhone 6 from a South African power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone 6 from the South African power outlet you will need to use a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the USB cable is normally already supplied with your iPhone 6).
  2. Start by inserting the Type M USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. This power outlet (known as a Type M power outlet [8]) can be recognised by 3 large circular holes in a triangular shape.
  3. Connect one end of the USB cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 6. The iPhone 6 Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 6 under the home button.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your cell will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 6 is charging, typically taking between 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type M power charger for charging your iPhone 6 from a South African power outlet

Powering the iPhone 6 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

Using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a three pinned Type N power adapter to recharge your iPhone 6 with a South African power outlet.

  1. To charge your iPhone 6 using the South African power outlet you will need to buy a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple should typically include this USB cable with the iPhone 6.
  2. First insert the Type N USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. You can recognise the hexagon shaped power supply by the three large holes forming a triangle pattern for live, neutral and ground pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 6. The iPhone 6 Lightning connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 6 under the home button.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the phone will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which takes roughly one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 6 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South African entry on Wikipedia.org
  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 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..