Charging your iPhone from a power outlet in France

A guide showing how to charge the iPhone from a French power outlet by using a 30 pin connector and a Type C USB charger and charging the iPhone using a two pin Type E power charger.

French power outlet

If you are organizing a trip it can be helpful to know in advance if you can use any indispensable devices when you're there. However, by not knowing which wall socket is being used you could pack the wrong adaptor, thereby leaving you having to purchase a suitable power adaptor when you get there which might be incompatible and damage the device. Different standards and sockets can often lead to confusion when planning to visit another country if you've never been there before. These instructions have been specifically written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPhone abroad.If you're visiting France the following instructions show how to power your iPhone by using their types E or C 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, you'll find a majority of French normally use the Type E wall outlets. You will discover power will differ regionally therefore we recommend reading the list of World power supplies for a full list of countries. When you are travelling to France from another country make sure that the iPhone can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) check the iPhone is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to prevent the device from overloading when charging it.

This page details the iPhone first generation, the original iPhone is missing some features which have since been introduced to more recent iPhones. Visit the Apple category page for the full range of Apple iPhones. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

Charging the iPhone in France

Can you use the iPhone in France?

You can connect the iPhone to a French power outlet.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone in France?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPhone and visiting multiple countries the best international travel charger for France to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. French use two different standards of plug sockets (types E and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

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 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these USB travel chargers, along with compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets.

This will allow you to power multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack individual travel chargers for your French trip or occupying additional wall outlets. Because you are only bringing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage as well as being suitable for charging your iPhone at an airport or on a flight. Due to their versatility these types of chargers can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers with just a single plug socket.

If you travel to different countries we suggest buying a versatile power adapter of this nature online; the multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for France

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 visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • 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 America going to France.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise 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. This offers the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting France. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone in France?

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

A guide showing how to charge the iPhone from a French power outlet by using a 30 pin connector and a Type C USB charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone from the French power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will normally supply this USB cable with the iPhone.
  2. Start by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter in the French power outlet. The power supply is identified by two holes adjacent to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the USB cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Turn on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the cell screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up and takes roughly one-four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone from a French power outlet

How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your iPhone from a French power outlet

Using the USB 30-pin Apple cable with a two pinned Type E power adapter to recharge your iPhone with a French power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPhone from a French power outlet you will need to use a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple usually supply the cable when you buy your iPhone).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type E USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This recessed round power outlet (sometimes known as a CEE 7/7 plug) can be identified by the two round holes 19mm adjacent to each other where the twin plug outlet pins sit plus a metal grounding pin protruding the top in a triangular shape.
  3. Plug in one end of the cord into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which takes roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your iPhone from a French power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - French country wikipedia page
  2. Apple - the original iPhone product manual
  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 E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  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..