Charging your iPhone 5 from a power outlet in Mexico

A step by step guide showing how to recharge your iPhone 5 with a Mexican power outlet with a Lightning Apple cable and a Type A power adapter and how to charge the iPhone 5 using a Type B USB plug.

Mexican power outlet

Varying different standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning on staying in a different country, especially to the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of sockets being used in the world this article tells you exactly what you'll need to buy in advance to charge your iPhone 5 . This page was written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPhone 5 when you're in travelling to Mexico.The following instructions will show how to charge your iPhone 5 when staying in Mexico using their standard B or A type Mexican 127 volt 60Hz wall outlets, a majority of Mexicans will typically use Type B power outlets. Type A electrical sockets aren't as commonplace but still used by some hotels in Mexico. If the iPhone 5 charges slowly or does not power up when you are travelling to Mexico from a different country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally electrical devices which come from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 220 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't power up, check the device is dual voltage (normally indicated by 100-240 volts) else 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 Mexico

Can you use the iPhone 5 in Mexico?

You can connect the iPhone 5 to a Mexican power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone 5 in Mexico?

If you are travelling to more than one country or bringing more than your iPhone 5 the best international travel charger for Mexico to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of plug sockets that Mexicans use (types B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A.

As these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by changing the included plugs over. If your iPhone 5 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these travel chargers along with compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other adapters this will allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy seperate travel chargers or occupying additional wall sockets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand baggage whilst travelling as well as being convenient for recharging your iPhone 5 at an airport or on your flight. Because of their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones, tablets and speakers without needing an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying this type of flexible travel charger online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Mexico

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be crucial for visitors of counties with unstable power grids. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Mexico 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 most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting Mexico using 3 pinned type B plug sockets.
  • 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 America using type B plugs and is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with 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 perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Mexico. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone 5 in Mexico?

Charging the iPhone 5 from a Mexican power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

A step by step guide showing how to recharge your iPhone 5 with a Mexican power outlet with a Lightning Apple cable and a Type A power adapter.

  1. To charge your iPhone 5 using the Mexican power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually included with the device).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type A USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by the two thin adjacent slots next to each other for live and neutral blades. Please note that Type A power sockets are less commonplace but still used by some hotels in Mexico.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB Apple charging cable into the bottom of the mains power 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 your iPhone 5.
  4. Turn on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5 from a Mexican power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPhone 5 from a Mexican power outlet

Instructions showing how to power your iPhone 5 with a Mexican power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type B USB adapter.

  1. To charge the iPhone 5 using the Mexican power outlet you will need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - usually already included with the iPhone 5.
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Mexican power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the 2 thin slots for live and neutral blades with a single semicircle hole below for the slightly long earth pin. The most common outlets found in Mexico are Type B electrical outlets.
  3. Plug in one end of the Lightning power cord into the bottom of the power adapter 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 Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the mobile screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes around one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPhone 5 from a Mexican power outlet

See also

  1. Visitmexico - Visit Mexico Web Site
  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 B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  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..