Charging the iPhone 3GS when planning a trip to Portugal

Instructions showing you how to power the iPhone 3GS from a Portuguese power outlet with a 30-pin Apple connector with a Type C USB charger and how to power the iPhone 3GS using a 2 pin Type F power adapter.

Portuguese power outlet

If you are planning a vacation it's useful to know if you can use any common electronics when you're there. But by not knowing which wall socket is used in Portugal you may end up either over packing with too many adaptors or bring the wrong power charger, meaning having to borrow a potentially expensive charger when you need to recharge which might not be compatible and cause problems with your iPhone 3GS. Various combinations of region codes and voltages can all lead to confusion when planning to travel to a new country, especially if you've never been there before. This guide has been written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 3GS when you're going abroad.When you are planning a holiday to Portugal this page contains useful instructions showing charging the iPhone 3GS by using their standard F or C type Portuguese 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, most Portuguese will normally use the Type F plug outlets. When travelling to Portugal from a different country please double check the iPhone 3GS can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your iPhone 3GS was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check the device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to prevent the device from overheating during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Portugal

Can you use the iPhone 3GS in Portugal?

You can use the iPhone 3GS in Portugal.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Portugal?

If you are travelling with more than your iPhone 3GS or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for Portugal is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of power outlets that Portuguese use (F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the included heads. If your iPhone 3GS can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this will allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual power adapters for your Portuguese trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only needing a single USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used when you return home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and e-readers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying an adaptable travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with good 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 iPhone 3GS, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters 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 travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America going to Portugal using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also 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 and offers practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with only 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 a more 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Portugal. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Portugal?

Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Instructions showing you how to power the iPhone 3GS from a Portuguese power outlet with a 30-pin Apple connector with a Type C USB charger.

  1. To charge the iPhone 3GS from a Portuguese power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will typically include this USB cable with the iPhone 3GS).
  2. Plug the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Portuguese power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two holes adjacent to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 3GS is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Portuguese power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using a 30-pin connector with a Type F USB charger to charge your iPhone 3GS with a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone 3GS from a Portuguese power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Portuguese power outlet. You can recognise this power supply by the two 4.8mm holes 19 mm adjacent to each other and a pair of thin grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the cell will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is charging which should take roughly one-four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Portuguese power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about Portugal
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS 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. 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..