Charging your mobile phone in England (2024)

Charging your mobile phone in England (1)

Various region codes and plugs can often cause confusion when planning on staying in another country if you've never visited before. This page has been written to stop visitors worrying if they can power the mobile phone when they are staying abroad.The following useful guide shows how to power the mobile phone when visiting England by using the standard 230 volt 50Hz G Type power outlet, the Britons will use a BS 1363 13 amp plug for charging. When you are visiting England from a different region please ensure that the mobile phone can be charged using a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v make sure the mobile phone is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to stop the device from over-heating whilst powering it.

These instructions are for a generic mobile phone and assume the phone has a standard micro USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone socket. For all the latest phones please visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in England

Can you use any mobile phone in England?

Yes, you can use any mobile phone in England by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for recharging any mobile phone in England?

When you are travelling with more than just your mobile phone the best travel charger for England to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by changing the included plugs. If your mobile phone supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB travel chargers plus compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets.

This means you can power multiple devices at the same time without needing to bring multiple travel chargers for your British trip or occupying additional power outlets. Because you are only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage whilst travelling and convenient for charging your mobile phone at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets with only a single wall outlet.

If you travel frequently we suggest buying a versatile travel adapter like this at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the universal multi-device USB wall charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for England

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 mobile phone, 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 necessary when visiting counties with unreliable power grids. These power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both England 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 most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from America visiting England using 3 pin type B US plug sockets.
  • 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 from America using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 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 a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting England.[5][AD]
Charging your mobile phone in England (2)

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Charging your mobile phone in England (2024)

FAQs

Do I need a converter to charge my phone in England? ›

To supply power to any mobile phone from the British power outlet you'll need to use a Type G USB power plug adapter and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable.

How do I charge my cell phone in England? ›

All you would need to charge your US cell phone in London is the UK adapter plug so you can plug it into a UK wall outlet. There are lots of affordable US to UK outlet adapters available. If you're a frequent international traveler, you might also consider a world travel adapter.

Can I use an US iPhone charger in the UK? ›

The beauty of modern phone chargers, including those from Apple, is that they're designed to work with a wide range of voltages, typically between 100 and 240 volts. This means your trusty US charger can handle the higher voltage (230V) used in the UK.

Does charging a phone use a lot of electricity UK? ›

Key takeaways. On average, phone chargers use about 5 watts of electricity. Charging a phone once a day will use about 0.15 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month and 1.83 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

Do I need a converter or just an adapter? ›

If your appliance can only run on 110 – 130 volts, you will need to use a converter. If, however, your appliance is dual voltage you will not need to use a converter. Dual voltage appliances require only a plug adapter and can then be plugged directly into any foreign outlet.

What adapter do I need for England? ›

United Kingdom travel adaptors

For United Kingdom the associated plug type is G, which is the plug that three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.

How do you charge an American phone in Europe? ›

You need a European plug adapter to use with your wall charger so that you can plug it into a wall outlet in Italy or elsewhere in Europe (except the UK). There are all kinds of "World Plug Adapters," ranging from basic ones that are simple but would do the job, to sophisticated but pricier ones.

Do I need a voltage converter to charge my phone? ›

Some electrical items are made to operate at one voltage only. Most laptops, phones, and cameras, however, are dual voltage and don't even require that you flip a switch. You just need a simple plug adapter to power them up. Note: If your appliance is dual voltage, you do NOT have to worry about a converter.

Does an iPhone need a voltage converter? ›

No. The Apple-supplied charging equipment will accept 100 to 240 volts with only a plug adapter.

Can I plug my American iPhone into a European outlet? ›

You won't have any issues as Apple chargers are compatible 100V-240V, 50Hz and 60Hz. If you buy your charger in Europe, it will have the European prongs and you won't have any issue connecting your iPhone 14 using the cable supplied with your iPhone.

Should I unplug my phone charger when not in use? ›

Not only does leaving your phone charger plugged in increase your electricity bills, but it also wastes energy. When you leave your charger plugged in, even if your phone is not connected to it, the charger is still using power from the outlet.

Do I need an adapter to charge my phone in the UK? ›

In order to supply power to your mobile phone from a UK power outlet you will need to use a Type G USB power plug adapter and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable. Plug the Type G USB power plug adapter into the power supply.

How much to charge a mobile phone in the UK? ›

According to the Charger Tariff Calculator, it costs the average smartphone user only 0.3p to charge their device, resulting in less than half a pence per charge. That means if you keep your smartphone's battery charged up every day of the week, it will cost you a total of £1.09 for the full year.

Do I need a voltage converter from the US to the UK? ›

When visiting The United Kingdom from another country check your device can be charged using a 230 volt power supply. A step down power converter is needed if you are travelling from a country that uses 100-120 volts and your appliance is incompatible with 230 volts.

Do cell phones need a converter in Europe? ›

Most gadgets are "dual voltage," which means they work on both American and European current. If you see a range of voltages printed on the item or its plug (such as "110–220"), you're OK in Europe.

Do US iPhones work in the UK? ›

The phone will work in the U.K. if your carrier supports eSIM. If you buy a phone in the U.S., it will have no warranty in the U.K.

Can I plug my phone into a 220v outlet? ›

Portable electronics, such as cell phones and laptops, typically support the full range of voltages used throughout the world -- both 110-120V (used in the United States) and 220-240V (used in most other countries).

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