How to charge an iPad Air 2 when visiting Portugal

Instructions showing how to power your iPad Air 2 with a Portuguese power outlet with a USB Lightning cable and a double pinned Europlug Type C power adapter and charging an iPad Air 2 using a double pin Type F Schuko power plug.

Portuguese power outlet

If packing for a vacation to Portugal it is useful to know in advance if you'll be able to power any vital devices when you get there. But without knowing which wall socket is being used you may end up either having to bring unnecessary adaptors or pack the wrong adaptor, meaning needing to buy a potentially expensive power adaptor when you get there which could be incompatible. Varying complicated region codes and plugs can often be daunting when planning on staying in a foreign country especially if you've never visited before. This guide was written to prevent you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPad Air 2 when you are visiting Portugal.When visiting Portugal this page contains useful instructions showing you how to charge your iPad Air 2 by using the F or C type Portuguese 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, please be aware that Type F power outlets are typically used by a majority of Portuguese. If visiting Portugal from a different country ensure the iPad Air 2 can be used with a 240v supply. If the iPad Air 2 was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) make sure the device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to stop the device from overloading during charging. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on an iPad Air 2.

Charging an iPad Air 2 in Portugal

Can the iPad Air 2 be used in Portugal?

Yes, you can use an iPad Air 2 in Portugal by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for an iPad Air 2 in Portugal?

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing more than just your iPad Air 2 the best international travel charger for Portugal is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of wall outlets that Portuguese use (F and C) 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 iPad Air 2 supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these types of power adapters, and support for more power hungry devices. Unlike other travel adapters this means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate travel adapters for your trip or occupying additional wall sockets. Only needing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without needing an additional plug socket.

We suggest searching for this type of versatile power charger at your preferred electronics retailer; the multipurpose power charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Portugal

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad Air 2, however for visitors 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 necessary for visitors of regions with unreliable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Portugal and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Portugal using type B plug sockets.
  • 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 from North America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for almost half the 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Portugal. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for an iPad Air 2 in Portugal?

Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPad Air 2 from a Portuguese power outlet by using a Lightning Apple cable with a two pin Type C Europlug power charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPad Air 2 from the Portuguese power outlet you will need to buy 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. Begin the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. The power supply (known as the Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug) is recognised by two adjacent holes next to each other where the pins go.
  3. Connect one end of the Lightning charging cord into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Turn on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up and takes between 60-240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from a Portuguese power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple connector with a Type F Schuko USB charger to recharge an iPad Air 2 with a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Air 2 using a Portuguese power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will normally supply this USB cable when you purchase the iPad Air 2.
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Portuguese power outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by two large round adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral pins and a pair of two grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Switch on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Air 2 is charging, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from a Portuguese power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia web page about Portugal
  2. Apple - official iPad 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. 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..