How to charge the iPhone when planning a trip to Australia

Using an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a three pinned Type I power charger to charge the iPhone from an Australian power outlet.

Australian power outlet

Various frequencies and region codes can often cause confusion when planning on travelling to a different country, especially if you've never visited before. If you're going to Australia the following instructions show how to charge the iPhone using their standard 230 volt 50Hz Type I plug supply. Most power supplies change depending on which area you are travelling to so we suggest reading the Oceania page for a full list of countries. If you are visiting Australia from a different country please ensure your iPhone can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v ensure that the device is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to stop the device from being damaged during charging.

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 a full range of Apple iPhones. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

Charging the iPhone in Australia

Can the iPhone be used in Australia?

Yes, you can use the iPhone in Australia by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone in Australia?

If travelling with more than just your iPhone the best travel adapter for Australia to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the supplied plugs. If your model of iPhone supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these USB travel chargers and additional support for certain power demanding devices like tablets.

This will allow you to recharge multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers. Because you are only packing a single travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage while travelling. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of chargers can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets using just a single 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.

Alternative travel adapter for Australia

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, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unstable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Australia and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable option for travellers originating from America visiting Australia.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half 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 perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Australia. [6] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone in Australia?

Powering the iPhone with an Australian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPhone with an Australian power outlet with an Apple USB 30-pin connector and a Type I power adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPhone from the Australian power outlet you will need a Type I USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type I USB power plug adapter in the Australian power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by three thin slots for the live, neutral and ground blades. Please note that the neutral and live pins are configured reversed compared to Argentinian plug outlets, please check that your Type I power adaptor is compatible in Australia.
  3. Connect one end of the cable into the mains USB charger 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 Australian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging taking around 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with an Australian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Australian country Wiki page
  2. Apple - the original iPhone product manual
  3. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  4. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  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. 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..