How to charge the iPhone 5S from a power outlet in Portugal

Instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 5S with a Portuguese power outlet by using an Apple Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Europlug Type C power charger and charging the iPhone 5S using a 2 pinned Schuko Type F power plug.

Portuguese power outlet

If organizing to travel to Portugal it is useful to know in advance if you can charge any essential devices such as cell phones and cameras when you arrive. But, by not knowing which power socket is being used in Portugal you may end up either bringing too many spare adaptors or pack the wrong charger, meaning having to buy or borrow a suitable charger when you're there. Varying complicated combinations of voltages and plug types can all cause confusion when planning on travelling to a different country to the first time traveller. This guide was specifically written to stop you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 5S when abroad.This page contains step by step instructions telling you exactly how to charge your iPhone 5S when you're travelling to Portugal by using the standard Type F or C 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, most Portuguese will typically use the Type F plug outlets. When you are visiting Portugal from a different country make sure the iPhone 5S can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check your device is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overloading when powering up. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in Portugal

Can the iPhone 5S be used in Portugal?

You can connect the iPhone 5S to a Portuguese power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 5S in Portugal?

When you are travelling with more than your iPhone 5S then the best travel charger for Portugal is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Portuguese use two different types of plug sockets (F and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the plugs over. If your model of iPhone 5S can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters plus support for certain power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters having a 4 port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack seperate power chargers for your trip to Portugal. Because you are only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage. Due to their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets and phones with only a single wall outlet.

If you travel frequently we recommend buying this type of flexible power charger online. The power charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Portugal

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 5S, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These travel converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable option for travellers originating from North America going to Portugal.
  • 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 from North America using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Portugal. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 5S in Portugal?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Portuguese power outlet

A page on how to recharge the iPhone 5S with a Portuguese power outlet by using the Lightning Apple connector with a 2 pinned Europlug Type C power charger.

  1. To power your iPhone 5S from the Portuguese power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally included with the iPhone 5S by Apple).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Portuguese power outlet. The plug outlet, also called a Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug, is recognised by two circular holes adjacent to each other.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Apple Lightning power cord into the power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your mobile screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging taking between one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Portuguese power outlet

Powering the iPhone 5S with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using the Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type F Schuko USB charger to power your iPhone 5S from a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your iPhone 5S using a Portuguese power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple normally include the cable when you first purchase the iPhone 5S).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Portuguese power outlet. This round wall supply, sometimes known as the Schuko plug or Type F power outlet [6], can be recognised by the two large circular holes 19 mm adjacent to each other along with grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 5S will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging, typically taking around 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5S with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Portugal Wikipedia page
  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. 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..